I Wish I Knew More About Old S&Ws

Journey said:
… but I just didn't have the knowledge at my fingertips. I have traded guns for 60 years now, but the market is just too complex for me to keep a close handle to spot deals.
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I’m in a similar spot after buying guns for 60 years. But being a cop I really focus on S&W and Colt revolvers (1911s too). Not so much on other brands or rifles and shotguns.

The Jack of All Trades and Master of None principle.
 
nedlate said:

Amazon.com: Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 5th Edition (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson): 9781959265221: Supica, Jim, Nahas, Richard: Books

Amazon.com: Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 5th Edition (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson): 9781959265221: Supica, Jim, Nahas, Richard: Books
www.amazon.com

The 5 Edition is on Amazon and $46. I would much rather have a hard copy.:)
Ed
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The prices that I was seeing were pushing and over $100.
SGT ROCK 11B said:
I’m in a similar spot after buying guns for 60 years. But being a cop I really focus on S&W and Colt revolvers (1911s too). Not so much on other brands or rifles and shotguns.

The Jack of All Trades and Master of None principle.
Click to expand...
That original jack of all trades and master of none was originally a compliment recognizing well rounded individuals.. Your quote is a sound bite and not complete. I forget where I read the original, but it was putting down overeducated myoptic eggheads who had no practical abilities. ie. most doctoral degree holders.
 
Journey said:
That original jack of all trades and master of none was originally a compliment recognizing well rounded individuals.. Your quote is a sound bite and not complete. I forget where I read the original, but it was putting down overeducated myoptic eggheads who had no practical abilities. ie. most doctoral degree holders.
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Exactly.
 
I get my information from every book I can get my hands on. Nobody is an expert on all weapons. Thats the beauty of collecting. One book will have something another will not. Anyone that thinks its all in your phone or one source will be limited. The other source is collectors at gun shows. With your basic knowledge & willing to listen to those that have spent there life collecting, you can learn a lot. I started collecting with my dad when I was 8 years old. I'm 71, still don't know much, but have enjoyed collecting my entire life. 32 H.E. have gone up a lot recently also. Enjoy
 
45NUTT said:
18 months ago I knew very little about pre WWII S&W revolvers. I bought the Jinks book mentioned and it has been an invaluable resource. My next book with be the Standard Catalog 5th edition. This is what I have accumulated using that knowledge.

View attachment 772553
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Finding and buying is one thing. But were they good deals.
 
bigggbbruce said:
Finding and buying is one thing. But were they good deals.
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That is the subject of this thread. You don't know a deal unless you know a deal when you see it. I want to learn. I have mostly done well over the years on just my intuition and puny knowledge. I need more than puny.
 
This shows two of the same model. Difference is barrel length and very obviously condition. I chose the bottom one because it was $800 cheaper lol. I tend to like collecting something that has some obvious history not a gun that was bought and put in a safe. I love collecting guns more than just being an investor.
IMG_4288.jpeg
I expect a nearly 100 year old gun to look like the bottom one JMHO.
Moral of the story collect what makes you happy. Also my gun looks better in person and shoots great.
 
CalifEd said:
What part of the country are you in?
I think I want to take a road trip.
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Middle Ga. I was going to post some pictures of some of my finds in the stores, but I am having transferring pics from Iphone to computer. Both have had upgrades that make my current knowledge incompatible with my former. There are a lot out there, but not all are even considerable. I saw a mod 48 no dash 8" yesterday. It might make a shooter since it had no bluing left, and a questionable bore. The dealer wanted $999 for it with no haggle. Another was a 32 win, 6", ser #30609, but it appeared to be a replate. He wanted $499. Another shop had a 32 WCF, 6", ser#61550 with fair nickel and good grips for $245 and a couple of break top S&Ws in fair condition. I passed on all of them.
 
Journey said:
Middle Ga. I was going to post some pictures of some of my finds in the stores, but I am having transferring pics from Iphone to computer. Both have had upgrades that make my current knowledge incompatible with my former. There are a lot out there, but not all are even considerable. I saw a mod 48 no dash 8" yesterday. It might make a shooter since it had no bluing left, and a questionable bore. The dealer wanted $999 for it with no haggle. Another was a 32 win, 6", ser #30609, but it appeared to be a replate. He wanted $499. Another shop had a 32 WCF, 6", ser#61550 with fair nickel and good grips for $245 and a couple of break top S&Ws in fair condition. I passed on all of them.
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That's a decent price for a .32-20, especially if it has a good bore.
 
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