SWCA wins BIG at NRA Show + More pics

handejector · #1 05-03-2011, 11:32 AM

At the annual meeting of the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association, an award called the "Founder's Award" is given to the best overall display. In Tucson in 2010, Sheryl (vintagesmith)won that award with her display of the Reg Mag's assembled by her late husband, Ray, titled "Ray's Babies".

The winner of the Founder's Award at the annual meeting has the honor of representing the SWCA at the following NRA Annual Meeting.

Below, with the permission of the OP's, are some quotes from a thread in the SWCA area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagesmith

During my many years as a member of this association, I have always said that it was like a family. And I believed it. I have made many many long term friends and feel rewarded to have them. But this last week has just reinforced this feeling. As most of you know, I lost Ray 20 months ago. His dream had always been to display his registered magnums at the annual meeting and then hopefully win the Founders Award and get to display at the NRA show. Well, he always needed "one more barrell length".

Last summer, Jim and Judy Fisher, drug their display materials to Tucson for me to use for my display of Ray's RMs. I was privileged to win the award and the right to display at this year's NRA show. The display needed to be a little more sophisticated and more professional for the NRA show.

Well, these long term friends, went out of there way to bring the display trailer to Kansas from Montana last year on the way to Tulsa. During this last 6 months or so, Ken (Ray's brother) and Jim have worked tirelessly on getting things in order for the display. I have no idea how many hours. Jim did all the signage for the display, had a display case special built for the special glass, and I'm not sure what all.

Then to top that, Jim and Judy came to Kansas last Sunday to work with us on the display. They have been here all week, working their tails off along with Ken. The display looks entirely different from Tucson. It looks fantastic. If I knew how to post pictures, I would. Maybe I can impose on Jim to do it (he took pics, too). Now tomorrow they set off on phase two of the Jouney. They are driving all the way to Pittsburgh with the display trailer and working with us to set it up, man it and then tear it down. (think that they are stopping and seeing a few other SWCA people on the way). We won't leave until Tues and will meet them there.

These are not the only ones who have helped--the primary caretaker of the collection, Ken, has untold hours of working with the guns, taking pics, looking for materials in the vast array of Ray's "organized" collection, and truly caring about the display for his brother's sake. This or Tucson would not have happened without him. Virginia, Ken's wife, has been a sweetheart and been the hostess for Jim and Judy, has helped put the display together and is taking a week of her vacation to help in Tucson.

Roy Jinks has been instrumental in helping me with his knowledge, his books, Journals, and allowing me to ask him tons of questions and reviewing the write-ups. Course, he always encouraged Ray's habit. :-)

Lots of others have helped as well, Bill Cross, David Ballantyne have given me info and reviewed write ups. David Carroll did the same as well as spending one whole day helping us do the write-ups to submit the guns for awards. Mike and Janice Speers have helped and are giving up a week of their time to come with us to Pittsburgh to help with the show. Rick Nahas, Bob Radaker and David Carroll hope to be there as well. I'm sure I'm missing someone, but please know that I appreciate everyone's help.

The show won't be easy, displaying Ray's babies will bring so many memories. We will actually be setting up on what would have been his 58th birthday.

Family. It doesn't have to be by blood relations.

Thank you all.

Sheryl

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmg60

Hi
Some pictures of the display we set up today at Pittsburgh. will post more tomorrow.
Jim Fisher

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmg60

Hi
I would like to thank all the members that came by the display to visit and spent time with all of us in Pittsburgh.
Special thanks to Bob Radaker, Rick Nahas, David Carroll and Mike and Janice Speers for taking the time to make the trip to help with manning the display.
I would also like to thank Ken Cheely and Virginia for being such good hosts to Judy and I as we spent our week working on the display. With out all of these special people this display for Sheryl at the NRA would not have been
possible.

Jim Fisher

Awards the display won:

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordsmith

SWCA / Ray & Sheryl Cheely Collection WINS BIG at NRA Annual Meeting !!!

Just got the call from Jim Fisher - Four Silver Medals, a Best Educational Award, and a Significant Other Award.

The Silver Medals were given for:

1) Elmer Keith's test-model .38/44 Outdoorsman (given to him by Douglas Wesson to be used in cartridge development)

2) The two zero-s/n Magnum's, 0372 and 0373, built for and used by Douglas Wesson as "test and development" revolvers. These are the two guns used on his Alaskan and Western U.S. hunting trips in 1935.

3) Registration # 2, presented by Douglas Wesson to Phil Sharpe for his work on the development of the .357 cartridge and the Magnum revolver.

4) The 4" Magnum of FBI firearms expert, Frank Baughman, presumably the first serial-numbered .357 built. It was a test-gun also and does not have a Reg. #.

The 'Significant Other' Award is for the piece of "bullet-proof" glass, which was penetrated and shattered by one round from a .357, after four rounds from a Thompson .45 had failed to break the glass. This glass sat on Doug Wesson's desk until he retired and remained on display in various factory offices for many years.

Highest congratulations to Sheryl Cheely and her "assistants" for a job well done. We are all very proud and know that Ray would be, too.

Members should be aware the the SWCA's display each year has been a mainstay of the NRA Annual Meeting for over two decades. Our winning track record across the several categories year-after-year, ranks at the top of the gun-collecting fraternity's efforts around the nation. We are a very important part of arms collecting history and we hold our own with any one !!!

David Carroll

5-4-11
Jim is still on the road, so he sent me some pics of the award winning guns.
Below, for your viewing pleasure:

Doug Wesson's two zero serial numbered Magnums-

Phil Sharpe's Reg #2-

Frank Baughman's Reg Mag. He designed the "Baughman Ramp" front sight.

Elmer Keith's 38/44 Outdoorsman-

Bulletproof glass. Four hits from a Thompson SMG failed to punch it, but one 357 Mag zipped right through-

29aholic · #2 05-03-2011, 11:38 AM

I gotta tell you, being able to have been up close and personal to this display, pictures do NOT do it justice.
Congrats to everyone for their hard work and dedication....Ray would have been proud!!

SASABERANGER · #3 05-03-2011, 11:44 AM

It just gets better each year. Going to be hard to top this one.
Congratulations to everybody who worked to make it happen.
Ray we miss you.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474

glenncal1 · #4 05-03-2011, 11:58 AM

Beautiful display, congrats to everyone who had a hand in it. Really neat to see things like the glass plate. Maybe someone that was there could create a photobucket of pictures to share.

usm1rifle · #5 05-03-2011, 11:59 AM

This is a woderful example of selfless knowledge sharing - I'm going to have to work on a sponsor for the SWCA. As a member of the Garand Collectors Association, I share your passion for fine examples of the gunmakers art - which the RMs are at the zenith.

webley green · #6 05-03-2011, 01:13 PM

That is a fine looking display. Thanks for the pictures and the narrative.

handejector · #7 05-03-2011, 01:18 PM

The display is about the 357 Magnum from 1935-41.
With only one or two exceptions, every gun in the display is a Pre-War Magnum!

Spectre_USA · #8 05-03-2011, 02:13 PM

Congrats to all involved for an outstanding looking display.

I am sure Ray would be proud...

Muddyboot · #9 05-03-2011, 03:34 PM

Wonder how much that collection would sell for if it went to auction?
I'm guessing it would be close to paying of the national debt.

BillBingham2 · #10 05-03-2011, 03:50 PM

A wonderful tribute to a set of guns that changed the world and a man who gave a lot to SWCA and the world.

Congrats to all. Please share some more pictures if possible it would be a great web site.

B2

A10 · #11 05-03-2011, 03:51 PM

A beautiful collection, an amazing display, and truly a part of American history, ingenuity, and dedication to quality. I have always felt that the Registered Magnums are works of art. Here is the proof!

GF · #12 05-03-2011, 04:51 PM

Some up close photography in the album section would be great.

It's a collection that probably couldn't be put together in a lifetime now.

Can you tell me about the "hole in the glass" picture?

(add; thanks for the new pics with text on the glass.)

GF

PALADIN85020 · #13 05-03-2011, 05:07 PM

Congrats to Sheryl Cheely, and certainly (sadly, posthumously) to Ray. As I remarked at the Tucson gathering, Sheryl is a class act, and the display is a terrific homage to her late husband. What a magnificent effort on the part of all involved. Wow! Wish I could have been there to see it! Hope some more photos can be posted.

John
SWCA #2244

psquarejr · #14 05-03-2011, 05:18 PM

The display was impressive, I enjoyed viewing it at the show. Great job to all those involved and "Thank You"

Joni_Lynn · #15 05-03-2011, 06:19 PM

I enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful S&W's in the display. I figure that was a once in a lifetime viewing for me. Outstanding!!!

I also enjoyed meeting some of the fine people at the show.

FirebirdV8 · #16 05-03-2011, 07:15 PM

That is great to see such a great display of beautiful revolvers get recognition. This is also a great way to let people know about the work the SWCA members do for their area of passion. Ray certainly had a passion for the Registered Magnums.

LOBO · #17 05-03-2011, 08:02 PM

What a beautiful display!!

vintagesmith · #18 05-03-2011, 08:20 PM

Thank you all for the kind words. Ray spent the last 30+ years making the collection. The least I could do is display it in his honor. He always meant to display it, but always needed one more barrel or sight configuration. I think, had he not be so ill, that it would have made the trip to Troy.

It was a fabulous show. Fabulous friends. Tons of memories--both old and new. I could NOT have done it alone. Ray's brother, Ken, has worked on this display for the last year and a half. Jim Fisher, I don't know how I can ever thank him and Judy. Virginia Cheely, Mike and Janice Speers made the long trip, helped set up, tear down, babysit and do anything else needed. Bob Radaker and Rick Nahas helped with babysitting and other tasks. David Carroll. David was only able to be there one day, but it was the important day, the judging day. He and Jim helped the judges realize the importance of the display. Roy Jinks. His knowledge and his help with the display and to Ray over the years helped make this collection.

Ray would have been so very happy at the six awards. I would guess his most important award would have been the education award. He loved sharing his knowledge and learning from others. I am sure that he laughed at us as we sat in traffic in the city and as we sat up and tore the display down (he hated cities).

Ray, I miss you so very much. Love you baby. Hope I made you proud!

Sheryl

MAG-NUM · #19 05-03-2011, 08:24 PM

I was also fortunate enough to meet Jim Fisher on Saturday and view the Cheely collection at the NRA convention.
Very overwhelming to put it mildly. At first I wasn't sure what I was seeing but then it began to sink in. "These are all Registered Magnums!!!"

I tried to read each and every description card which were all well written and very interesting. Also that bulletproof glass was....crazy!
This is the cream of the crop for .375 Magnums, an amazing display and I thank Mr. Cheely for his efforts and Mrs. Cheely for preserving her husbands legacy
and to all those who made bringing the collection to Pittsburgh possible. Bob

gunnut44 · #20 05-03-2011, 08:29 PM

What a very impressive display of the best guns ever made. I can not imagine how much work, dedication, and research went into finding all of those guns. It is great to preserve the art of collecting something that can never be reproduced no matter how hard they try to reproduce a classic there is not the skill, pride or the quality of workmanship anymore. Thanks for the pics of a beautiful display and to all the people that worked on it.

SDH · #21 05-03-2011, 11:36 PM

Very impressive, both in the display as well as the preparations and dedication to make it happen.
A friend who was there told me he thought the S&W display would be The award winner! I would loved to have seen it...
Congrats to all!

RABULL · #22 05-04-2011, 12:21 AM

What a great story and post, congratulations to all involved. It is very, very impressive!!!

handejector · #23 05-04-2011, 08:35 AM

Five pics added to Post #1

Moonman · #24 05-04-2011, 11:36 AM

I went to the display TWICE on Friday and just stood in AWE. The display was truly magnificent, thanks for posting the photos.

Hole in the glass I believe she told me was .357 to old armored car glass vs .45 caliber tests not going through.

wheelgunnut · #25 05-04-2011, 01:50 PM

I can tell you this. Visited that display multiple times all three days. The S&WCA badge I proudly wore around my neck certainly attracted attention and people throughout the floor congratulated me for our Association's exhibit! Extraordinary job.

BILL SHANER #2148

MAG-NUM · #26 05-04-2011, 05:12 PM

Thanks for adding the award winning photos. Fantastic revolvers.

rbswede · #27 05-04-2011, 06:45 PM

Let me say wow! Where would we be with out history and individuals who preserve it for others to enjoy and learn from.

Thanks to all

vintagesmith · #28 05-05-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbswede

Let me say wow! Where would we be with out history and individuals who preserve it for others to enjoy and learn from.

Thanks to all

One of Ray's legacy's was to found the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation. The goal of this organization is to preserve the Smith & Wesson records that were tossed by the factory and now reside at the CVHM museum. THere are boxes and boxes of fragile papers. We have completed the digitization of the first group of boxes at a cost of $200,000. We have started on the second group. We need to raise some additional funds to continue. (See Sub-Forums:

S&W Historical Foundation Forum). These funds have all come from collectors/accumulators who are interested in helping preserve the records for future generations (or who have an interest in the history on their guns). Your life membership of $100, $1000 or $10000 would help a lot. Or just a donation of $10, $25 or whatever. You can read more about the Foundation on the sub-forum or can just send a membership or donation to SWHF, PO Box 1494, Great Bend, KS. 67530. Any and all help will help preserve these fantastic records for future generations (such things as corresponsdence between DB and Phil Sharpe on the develpment of the .357 magnum just for example).

Thanks to all who have made comments and/or enjoyed the display or pics!

semperfi71 · #29 05-05-2011, 01:29 PM

Impressive. I would like to have seen the display in public.

Thanks to all for this post.

This forum is so informative that it is irreplaceable. I will never own such S&W handguns but enjoy seeing such pictures and posts.

In time I hope to join the Smith and Wesson Association, although not a true "collector".

I would truly have loved to seen the actual .38/44 that Elmer Keith used, fantastic.

wbraswell · #30 05-05-2011, 02:28 PM

Fantastic display and photos. Drool.

35Rem · #31 05-05-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagesmith

Ray, I miss you so very much. Love you baby. Hope I made you proud!

Sheryl

There is ABSOLUTLEY no doubt in my mind, you made him VERY proud!

rock doc · #32 05-05-2011, 05:23 PM

Outstanding display and congratulation on the prestigious awards!! It shows hard work and dedication to the cause. Thanks very much for sharing.

Engineer1911 · #33 05-05-2011, 10:46 PM

I and my wife Teresa saw this display about 8:00 AM Friday morning before the convention officially opened. I knew we were looking at a "museum quality" display but did not know anything about Mr or Mrs Cheely. Mrs Cheely invited us into the booth to see everything up close with no one else there. It was truly an opportunity of a life time. 'Cheely Quality' is now defined and has special meaning for us.

After reading Lee's posts, I know how lucky we were to be there at that time.

Thank you Mrs. Cheely.

chuck17 · #34 05-11-2011, 12:25 PM

What a fantastic display! Thank you for sharing that awesome collection.

rjgnwdc · #35 06-02-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35Rem

There is ABSOLUTLEY no doubt in my mind, you made him VERY proud!

Ditto that, no doubt

BillLester · #36 06-08-2011, 08:02 PM

Late in posting but wanted to thank and congratulate the SWCA for this outstanding display. My brother and I spent quite a bit of time enjoying all these great guns.