Recent content by jsmith

Serial #45 Back in 2009 I acquired serial #45. After reading all the posts I checked all the markings on my gun. Mine DOES have the GHS intertwined logo but DOES NOT have the flaming bomb ordnance stamp and DOES NOT have an S stamped anywhere on it. Great find being serial #13. Low digit...

SOLD IT! Since I have three of them and this one is low-end on the finish, I had to sell it. Need the money for some other Smith's I will be buying. Not to worry, my other two Triple Lock's are staying put! They are too nice to part with. I hope whoever ends up with it enjoys it! jsmith

I have. You have what appears to be an 1896 1st Model Hand Ejector...a factory target model. These are a bit rare. I have only seen a couple of these in the past 15 years I have been in guns. The last one I seen for sale a dealer was asking over $2000 and it was in much nicer shape than...

Serial #45 This one is definately worthy! I posted this one last year on the forum, serial #45. This one probably would have been in the first week of production. It lettered as being in the very first shipment to the Springfield Armory. jsmith

Alexb: I seen that on Gunbroker. The low serial number caught my attention. In my opinion, it's worth the $200 you paid for it, as long as it still shoots. Parts on those 1899 models can get hard to find and cost you some money. jsmith

I go to a lot of gun shows and one thing that I have learned over the years is that there are some gun dealers out there that know nothing about what they are selling. Or could care less. They are only interested in making the sale and will say anything to do it. And if you try to argue or...

I thought I recognized that gun. That one has been floating around the auction sites on and off for some time. FYI: I think that gun has been renickeled to. On the plus side, it is a nickeled 4-inch, which are a bit scarce. As for factory letters, I have had mine in about a month's time. jsmith

I never had any problems with using Breakfree on nickle plated guns. NEVER use any kind of gun cleaning solvent on a nickel plated gun, especially Hoppes. To nickle plate a gun, it is coated in a copper powder to allow the nickle to bond to the steel. A lot of gun solvents out there are...

Won this recently on Gunbroker for $200. Just a .32 Hand Ejector 1st Model (Model 1896). The guy selling it had it labeled as a New Departure. For the $200 starting price I couldn't pass this one up. It's hard to find these models as it is. The condition of this one just relegates it to a...

I agree with DCWilson. But the serial range is generally 15,000 and under for the earliest variations. The very first shipment of guns to the Springfield Armory, Springfield, MA was on November 6, 1917. I have serial #45 and that's what mine lettered to. jsmith

I was wondering who I was bidding against? The cut off date for an antique firearms is generally considered to be 1898. It's nearly impossible to go by serial numbers. This one is definately an antique. The only problem with that rule is depending on where it is being shipped to and or from...

I got out the SWSC3 book to check on this. There should be one other tell tale sign for a nickel Model 1917. There should be a small S&W trademark stamped on the left side of the frame. The military version doesn't have the S&W trademark stamped on it. jsmith

It's hard to believe but this gun just sold for $606. I just hope the person who bought it doesn't expect this to be an original factory 2" barrel. jsmith

That gun had been on there for quite a while, being relisted constantly. I did notice the last few times the price coming down. It is actually been priced reasonable. And it is also a low serial number. The condition of the nickel plating is probably turning people off on this one. Most...

The good thing is this gun is still in original condition and hasn't been messed with to bad. Being a 4" was the reason I went after it. You almost never find these in 4 " barrels. This one is going to be a good project gun. Eventually I will do a full disassembly and cleaning. I have...