Should YOU Join the S&W Collectors Association?

[opoefc]

Great post, Lee. My hat's off to you ! ( Minor correction in the list of past meetings -add 1958-1968 at Las Vegas, NV. ) There was a group of approx. 25 S&W collectors, mostly from Calif., that always met at Harry Mann's Las Vegas shows (Las Vegas Antique Arms shows ) , usually at the Sahara Casino, to display our collections, etc. Some of us also went to the Tulsa shows. The idea of formally starting S&W collector's association often came up, but didn't really catch on until 1970, as most of us were content to socialize, exchange info. and enjoy our S&Ws with out the expense of dues, rules & regulations, etc. I give Roy Jinks and Bill Gunn ( Pres. of S&W) the credit for moving us to start the S&WCA at Las Vegas in Nov. 1970. Ed.

 

[andy52]

With the amount of detail I’ve learned through this forum and the membership, it’s turned the hobby into a treasure hunt. I’ve told the wife the hobby is self-sustaining so if I can find a gem for cheap and use it to enhance my collection we're both happy.

And then all the other perks listed above. I’m technically considered a millennial, am currently active duty and have two small kids as an example of the cross-section of the membership.

I'd trade several of my S&Ws for a back seat ride in a f-18 Hornet
..
They did offer me a ride in a F-14 tomcat as a reenlistment bonus back in 1975 but I declined.

 

[Garthe]

I’ve been acquiring shooter grade S&W revolvers over the last several years. Now that I’ve reached 30+ revolvers, I guess it time for me to come to the realization that I’m a collector...lol. Looks like it’s time for me to join, thanks for the shove.

 

[DRYHEAT]

When I saw that the Annual Meeting was going to be in Arizona I knew I had to join.
That was 10 years ago and I just sent in my 2020 dues today.

I got to sit and talk to Roy at length at the 40th Anniversary Meeting, mostly about vision care!
You gotta be able to see to know if you're getting the S&W of your dreams.

I now have narrowed my collecting to November 1947 Smiths. My golden unicorn is (any) one
that shipped: Thursday, November 13, 1947. Model, caliber, even condition is not a big deal.

 

[handejector]

Love to join, but don't have a printer. How do I get an app?

PM your mailing address to me.

 

[RKmesa]

When I saw that the Annual Meeting was going to be in Arizona I knew I had to join.
That was 10 years ago and I just sent in my 2020 dues today.

Bill:

I love that photo - the gun, the light and of course... the 40 year mug.

 

[NavySCPO]

From the lower end of the scale, I just joined a year ago. The knowledge shared so freely here is worth the price of admission and then some! In fact I just sent my $200 in and received my card for 5 more great years.

If their are arrogant folks around, I sure haven’t heard from them. What you will find is a group of genuinely nice people who bend over backwards to help anyone who asks.

If you love Smith & Wesson products, this is the place to be!

 

[vintagesmith]

Lee, thank you so much for the write up! You "dun good". To get back on my soap box....this group is the best. I've been around it since 1981 in Tulsa when we went up to a table that was beautifully displayed. Ray asked if he could look at it and commented on something he didn't know about. The owner confirmed that Yes, it was correct. Introductions were done. It was Mr. Bill Orr. The one who had all the great guns in Roy's book. The beautiful guns. The one with so much knowledge. Ray felt about two inches high, but it was worth it. We talked with Bill and he told us about the SWCA. We joined and our first show was Kansas City. To be real honest, I felt a little out of place. We were young whippersnappers. BUT the people at this event became GREAT friends, no, family. I've only missed a couple of annual meetings (symposiums) since. I feel so very honored to be President of the organization.

And Lee was also right, the SWHF is doing a lot to preserve our history!!

 

[Dave from Pa]

Lee, great post, you covered everything. Maybe this could be a permanent thread at the top each forum.Would not want this to dsappear.

 

[Struckat]

Lee, I would like to expand my knowledge and share my enjoyment with others.
I am certainly not a collector, but my heart still aches for selling the nickel 19 I grew up with. Today I have but only three from the 50’s, all shooters. I have bought and sold some new ones, and recently found a nice 686-1 that seems to be an extension of my hand.

I printed the application. At the bottom it there is mention of the rules posted on the forum. I am having trouble finding the rules.

 

[handejector]

I just added more data about Myth #3 concerning cost for the annual meeting in the first post:

3. The Annual Meetings are too expensive for the average S&W enthusiast.
It does cost to attend the Symposium. That's because it is an expensive endeavor to conduct. It costs $200 to register to attend for the whole show. One display table is included in that fee. Extra display tables and sales tables are $30 each. The Banquet and the food at the cocktail party are included but you buy your own booze at the cocktail party.
Your spouse can attend for $100 more, including the cocktail party food and Banquet.
You must stay at the host hotel or pay $200 more to register. The host hotel is usually $100-129 per night. They comp us the display room, so we must guarantee the hotel a minimum number of rooms get rented or we pay extra for the display hall.
You can attend for ONE day for $75. You must specify WHICH day. That does not include the free display table, nor the goody bag, nor the cocktail party, nor the banquet. If that day is Thursday, you can pay $60 MORE ($75 + $60) and attend the cocktail party, but you still have to buy your own booze. Again, the food is GREAT. If that one day is Saturday, you can pay $50 MORE ($75 + $50) and attend the Banquet.

 

[handejector]

I printed the application. At the bottom it there is mention of the rules posted on the forum. I am having trouble finding the rules.

You won't see them till you have access to the SWCA area.


But, just for you:
The SWCA Lounge Rules:

Welcome to the newly established S&WCA Lounge. This section is to be used for discussing any subject that is in good taste and does not have to involve S&Ws, or gun collecting, but discussions about politics and second amendment rights are not allowed as they usually get members upset and never have a resolution.

Again, welcome, and I hope you will find this new section useful.

Bill Cross
S&WCA #530

The SWCA Classified Rules:

Caveat emptor. The SWCA, The Officers of the SWCA, the S&W Forum, and the S&W Forum Owners and Staff are not responsible for nor guarantors of any ad presented here.

Establish CLEAR TERMS in advance, like any INSPECTION PERIOD and Right to Return.

If you reserve the right to NOT deal with some members, SAY SO.

This is not complicated- simply state ALL your terms and requirements clearly in the ad.
COMPLETE Terms, ACCURATE descriptions, FULL disclosure, and GOOD pics make life simpler for everyone!
We strongly advocate adherence to ALL firearms laws at ALL levels- Federal, State, and Local.
Do not post an illegal item or suggest any transaction that violates any law.

Pics can be uploaded by anyone as attachments.
See Attachments and Images.
Full size pics can be posted using a hosting site or your albums here on the forum.
NO, I do not give lessons on posting pics.

We request that you leave your ad, including sale prices, intact when items are sold.
Leaving your sale price will allow folks to search/research what similar items are selling for.

We Reserve the right to delete any ad, at any time, for any reason.

The RULES:

1. Most General Posting Rules apply.
See them here- Rules & Information

2. For now, we will allow ONE Gun Sale Ad, along with ONE Accessories For Sale Ad, along with ONE WTB Ad per member.
That means a total of three active ads at one time, IF you use all three types. Each ad can contain multiple items.
Allowing front page space for everyone is the idea.
Multiple ads beyond these limits may be deleted without notice beyond a Reminder or Infraction.

To find your ads- click Search\/ in the top blue Navigation bar.
At the bottom of the menu you will see My Threads and My Posts.
When your item is no longer available, please add SOLD, TRADED, FOUND, or WITHDRAWN to the beginning of the title. Edit the title by clicking "Edit" and then clicking "Go Advanced" at bottom right.
As soon as you edit the title, you are then free to immediately start a new ad thread.

3. You MUST set your profile options to accept either private messages or email from other forum members or your thread will be deleted without notification.

4. All "For Sale" items must have a price attached.
We do not allow "make offer" ads.

5. If your item sells or is withdrawn or found, please edit your ad PROMPTLY.
Mark it in the TITLE of your ad.

6. Do NOT post a link to a website that is not yours. Do NOT advertise or post a link to an ad you have on public internet sales sites, including GunBroker and other auction sites.

7. We allow one BTT (Back To Top, aka "bump") per calendar day. Do not bump your ad on the first day.
Additional posts on your part like "pics sent" or "email responded to" are needless since you can send it via a PM.
Put SOLD or SPF or FOUND or Withdrawn in the title of your thread, NOT in a new post.

9. NO useless chatter! We don't need comments like "Nice Gun" or "Good Luck". Only make posts that are relevant to the intention of the ad.

10. You agree to save HARMLESS The SWCA, The Officers of the SWCA, the S&W Forum, and the S&W Forum Owners and Staff for any injury or loss suffered as a result of any transaction occurring from these ads.

11. We reserve the right to modify The Rules at any time without notice.

12. By posting or participating in a thread here, you are AGREEING to these RULES and Terms.

Rules for Ship Date Requests:

LIMIT: ONE gun per request; ONE ship date per member per calendar week.
Do NOT post a new request during any calendar week in which you receive a ship date even if you posted the request the week before.
A Calendar Week is comprised of the 7 days from Sunday through Saturday, inclusive.

Do NOT post your request while Roy is answering the current requests. Let Roy FINISH answering.

Before you post a request, check the S&WCA Database for your gun which may have already been posted with a shipping date.

If FIVE requests are already posted, WAIT to post your request. Roy wants NO MORE than 5 requests awaiting him.

We do NOT need for each request to begin with "Shipping Date Request" since that is all that is in this area.

FORMAT your request EXACTLY like this because it enables Roy to respond to your request without first opening the thread.
Put these FOUR items, and ONLY these FOUR items in the TITLE line of your request:
1> Model NAME -OR- Model NUMBER with Dash number
2> Finish
3> Barrel Length
4> Serial Number
Be Sure you include any letter prefix for the serial number!

Guns never made in multiple barrel lengths need not show it (such as .32 autos, 35 autos, Straightlines, most specific auto models, etc.).
Format Examples:
44HE-2nd, Blue, 6.5", #123456
Mod 60, Stainless, 2 in, s/n 409556
Mod 629-5, Stls, 5", ser# ABC1234
Mod 29-1, Nickel, 4", #N226888
38 M&P, Nickel, 2", s/n S825777
Pre-M19, Blue, 4 in, #K260009
32 Auto, Blue, s/n 567
Straightline, Blue, s/n 146
38 DA Perfected, Blue, 6 in, s/n 12777
NM#3, Blue, 5 in, s/n 110110

Requests which do not follow this EXACT FORMAT and requests which do not follow ANY of these instructions WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE.

After receiving your ship date from Roy, please Do NOT send another message of "thanks" for the shipping date; it only takes up additional space on the forum and seems to throw the zero count off for other posters.

Absolutely NO posts are to be made in this area except ship date requests.

If you have questions send a PM to handejector (Lee Jarrett).

Many thanks for your cooperation.

Believe it or not, the ship dates are about the only problems we have had. There have been a couple of dustups between members, but hey- it's a cage full of alpha males and alpha females.
So, I have had to reiterate the ship date instructions a time or two-

and AGAIN -

The instructions are pretty clear-

Put these FOUR items, and ONLY these FOUR items in the TITLE line of your request:
1> Model NAME -OR- Model NUMBER with Dash number
2> Finish
3> Barrel Length
4> Serial Number

The SECOND and THIRD lines in The Instructions for Ship Dates say-

Do NOT post a new request during any calendar week in which you receive a ship date even if you posted the request the week before.
A Calendar Week is comprised of the 7 days from Sunday through Saturday, inclusive.

Obviously, the verbal definition of a 'calendar week' is not sufficient, *so I done went and drawed ya a picture-
(* Spoken in my native tongue. Translates as "I've created an illustration for you")

If you receive a ship date anywhere on that yellow line, you cannot request another one ANYWHERE on that yellow line!!!
Do NOT post a new request during any calendar week in which you receive a ship date even if you posted the request the week before.

This is just NOT that hard.

Another good one-

After receiving your ship date from Roy, please Do NOT send another message of "thanks" for the shipping date; it only takes up additional space on the forum and seems to throw the zero count off for other posters.

 

[rubiranch]

I joined. And I joined the Historical Foundation. And I'm a Bronze Contributor.

I don't know how else to say thank other than to say thank you for soo many members sharing such an amazing amount of their knowledge and being such awesome people.

THANK YOU SMITH-WESSON FORUM!!!!!!!

 

[quinn]

^^^^^^
What they said!
Randy
SWCA 2548, SWHF 433

And by the way I also endorse making a donation to help fund this forum!! The meager funds I'v spent in support of these 3 organizations has been returned many times over in soooo many ways.
Thanis.

 

[usmc2427765]

This is one of the finest groups of like minded folks I have ever been associated with. If you are a novice or advanced collector, these folks will accept you with open arms and try to learn from you and add to your knowledge of S&W arms collecting. You can't go wrong.

 

[BRatliff]

Great post Lee, I think you covered all the bases extremely well.

I would like to share my personal experience as a member. I joined the S&WCA in 2014 more or less on a whim. I had attended a couple of local regional meetings of the NE Ohio bunch and had met a few members. The 2014 Symposium was in Columbus, Ohio not too far from me. Since it was within driving distance I decided to see what it was all about. WOW!!! I was absolutely overwhelmed from the moment I walked into the hall.

Within minutes, I knew this organization was something I wanted to be a part of. New members have a bright green chevron added to the lower portion of their admission badge. I was welcomed and greeted by so many members it made my head spin!! I was invited to dinner with several of these members my VERY first day.

I will confess that I was very sorry to leave on Sunday morning when the event was over. I wanted to stay and continue to be among the members that I now considered to be my friends.

This years Symposium in Tulsa will be my seventh in a row. I have been eagerly awaiting it since I returned home from Texas last year. I am looking forward to seeing all the friends I have made so far, and hoping to add a great many more.

The annual Symposium dates are my first priority when scheduling my vacation days for the upcoming year. An added bonus to the event is the opportunity to travel to new places in this wonderful country we all call home.

If you are thinking of becoming a member. Take the chance, join, receive the journal, see what we are all about. If you like what you see, try to attend the Symposium. I think you will be impressed with not only the quality of the guns, but the quality of the members.

Best regards, Bob.

 

[hkcavalier]

I've filled out my application. I have some administrative issues due to being on a military deployment at the moment, but I'll overcome.

 

[handejector]

I've filled out my application. I have some administrative issues due to being on a military deployment at the moment, but I'll overcome.

THANKS for your service. Where are you deployed?

 

[hkcavalier]

THANKS for your service. Where are you deployed?

Middle East.

Main issue is I didn’t bring my checkbook...

 

[huthike]

I’ll just second what everyone else has said. I’m always learning new things here and at the symposiums. Last year at one of the symposium dinners, I sat between a firearms author and a very experienced member and heard great stories and learned a lot from both!


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