Picked up a nice SW 17-2 today

I used to have an FFL back in the 1980s and had an account with Lew Horton and other wholesale dealers - most of those cool guns we're on allocation for dealers. You had to buy so much $ to get one. I only scored one time, I was placing my phone order and the sales rep said hey you can get an allocation gun with your order. But the only thing they had was a colt anaconda 5 inch in 45 long colt- nah I'm not a colt guy I'll pass- the sales rep said hey it a good deal only $250 I think. Oh ok maybe I can sell it. My bother still has it.
 
I used to have an FFL back in the 1980s and had an account with Lew Horton and other wholesale dealers - most of those cool guns we're on allocation for dealers. You had to buy so much $ to get one. I only scored one time, I was placing my phone order and the sales rep said hey you can get an allocation gun with your order. But the only thing they had was a colt anaconda 5 inch in 45 long colt- nah I'm not a colt guy I'll pass- the sales rep said hey it a good deal only $250 I think. Oh ok maybe I can sell it. My bother still has it.
Wow, thats a story! Anaconda in 45 LC is rare, let along a 5" one...I bet your brother is still thankful for that purchase!

I know most of their S&W runs were in the 3-4,000 ranges, but there are some in the hundreds. And then, on the Colt side, they were in the hundreds, I think, so Lew Horton Colt must carry a significant premium - I barely see online (but I don't recognize them in the Colt configs as easily - just know SWs much better due to the SWSC). Wish Jim Supica and his peep would publish a Colt Catalog!

I lucked out last December at an LGS and managed to get a NIB 66-3 3" LH for a decent price. I ain't carrying that thing...:-)
 
Wow, thats a story! Anaconda in 45 LC is rare, let along a 5" one...I bet your brother is still thankful for that purchase!

I know most of their S&W runs were in the 3-4,000 ranges, but there are some in the hundreds. And then, on the Colt side, they were in the hundreds, I think, so Lew Horton Colt must carry a significant premium - I barely see online (but I don't recognize them in the Colt configs as easily - just know SWs much better due to the SWSC). Wish Jim Supica and his peep would publish a Colt Catalog!

I lucked out last December at an LGS and managed to get a NIB 66-3 3" LH for a decent price. I ain't carrying that thing...:-)
Yep, my brother called me a while back and said hey you know that Colt 45 you sold me? Is there anything special about it? I was at the range with it yesterday and some guy offered me $5k cash for it.

Nice purchase on the 66- I'd kill for one of those.
 
Yep, my brother called me a while back and said hey you know that Colt 45 you sold me? Is there anything special about it? I was at the range with it yesterday and some guy offered me $5k cash for it.

Nice purchase on the 66- I'd kill for one of those.
yes, I think I had read somewhere that they would be in that $5K range with the 5" being so rare on top of the 45 LC.

Be patient on the 3" 66 and one will turn out. Got lucky on a 3" 65-5 Ladysmith as well two months ago - paid $500 or so for it, in E condition...too bad it did not have the special case that comes with it. Deals like that pop up, as long as you know a rare one when you see it, and be patient - it will come to you!

A real story: First time I saw a 3" M66 was at a gun show a couple of years back. It had a pinned barrel (don't recall if it was 66 or 66-1), guy was selling for $1,500, no box, in VG condition at best (shot and carried). I laughed at it (thinking the thing was grossly overpriced) and went back to my table (had some newer revolvers I wanted to sell / trade). Looked up the SWSC and a 3" was not even mentioned in the pinned barrel dashes. I thought the guy had some frankenstein there - someone must have done something in there. Go back to tell the guy he had a frankenstein there, and he had already sold it! Even to this day I do not know what exactly he sold - a non-catalogued gem or some frankensteined gun...but he sold it within the first hour of the show!

Here is a pic for an inspiration. The longer extractor rod makes a ton of difference!
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I found my 17-2 a few years ago on GB, serial K6589XX puts it at the end of 1965. Almost flawless finish, mechanically excellent and little indication it was shot very often. I was clueless at the time and did not know the stocks it was wearing were not original but the much earlier non-relieved diamond targets. A nice bonus I do believe. I was the only bidder at the reserve and won at $600. I guess I did OK, didn't I?IMG_20250509_153332921.webpIMG_20250509_153402985.webp
 
I found my 17-2 a few years ago on GB, serial K6589XX puts it at the end of 1965. Almost flawless finish, mechanically excellent and little indication it was shot very often. I was clueless at the time and did not know the stocks it was wearing were not original but the much earlier non-relieved diamond targets. A nice bonus I do believe. I was the only bidder at the reserve and won at $600. I guess I did OK, didn't I?View attachment 786262View attachment 786263
Right tine right place, you did great.
 
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