I was looking through my antique Distributor catalog collection and noticed this 1884 ad for Smith & Wesson Topbreak revolvers.

What caught my eye was the floral grips. This is the first time I’ve seen these advertised in a period catalog. Upsetting that I missed it before. Also disappointed that the ad doesn’t specify the grips as an option by name or title.

Just thought I’d share.

Now if I can just find a listing for mottled grips?

Murph

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How about Pearl or Ivory grips for $5 & under...

I like looking at old advertisements.

Hi There,


Very nice. I assume these images are from the same catalog?


Cheers!
Webb

Yes, same catalog.
There are reproductions of this catalog available but I can’t say for sure that the reproduction has this listing. Often reproductions are made from copying an original that is missing pages or in many ways incomplete.

You can always ask the seller if this page is contained within prior to purchasing.

Murph

Interesting that the 32 DA shown is a 1st Model with the square side plate, only 30 produced. The production Day Book for this Model list the 30 revolvers as have pearl, ivory or plain hard rubber gripes, no floral.

B. Mower

They aint floral, them thar is called Turkey Grips. See the bird?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Wow very cool. I’ve never seen any advertisements talking about the Floral/Turkey stocks. Here’s my nickel 32DA (S.1617). Were these only put on nickel finish guns?

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Matt
S&WCA 4003 S&WHF 1063

I believe blue and nickel. I think for a short period of time and only one model. There was a big discussion a few years ago here on the Forum.
Do a search on "Turkey grips".

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I’m more focused on the rarity of the early ad.

Searching Meachams catalogs (reprints) there is an earlier 1883 reprint available. The listing contains Smith & Wesson revolvers 32,38,44 cal. Likely it’s the same ad, however it’s possible that it’s different. It’s also possible they list the FANCY FLORAL GRIPS as an option.

I’m trying to circle the wagons around this source and obtain maximum information since this is the only catalog reference for these grips that I’ve ever seen.

Murph

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Had to look up the address on the box. It's an on-ramp now for Hwy 64/44, I think.

I've never seen the .32DA called a Model 1-1/2 before. I've only seen that associated with the single actions.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

Hi There,


I think it is interesting the catalog is from 1884 and the picture
used is of the .32 S&W DA 1st model (which was made in 1880
only). By 1884, S&W were making the 4th model which doesn't
have the extra cylinder stop/clearance groove around the cylinder.

This isn't an isolated instance. Many catalog mail order sellers
frequently did not update the pictures in their catalogs to keep
pace with the changes to the model. They would keep using the
same wood cuts to print successive catalogs.


Cheers!
Webb

New wood cuts were expensive. Im on a slim profit margin.
Overhead is outrageous?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Hi There,



Yes, new woodcuts would add to the cost of the catalog. Also,
there was a depression that took the Country in 1873 and didn't
recover until 1878. I'm sure that this period was tough on the
catalog resellers and they needed to skimp on things. Later it
became a habit.


Cheers!
Webb

It’s very common to find the wrong model or even a different manufacturers gun listed.
The 3 primary benefits to Distributor listings are Year the product was available, how much it cost, and options available. The rest is hit/miss. I’ve seen errors in caliber also. Baby Russian listed as a 41., etc.

It’s too bad an 1880 catalog from Meachams isn’t available. It would likely have a “Featured listing” for the NEW Smith & Wesson DA revolvers.

Murph

Also,
Most Distributors did not introduce new models until years after they were being produced.

Most Manufacturers at that time had primary Distributors who would introduce the model. That would be the source of a featured listing.

Looking through my catalogs I notice that in my 1882 examples most Distributors still only list SA Smith & Wesson revolvers. So most were behind by a few years at least.

Since the Models 1&2 were circa 1880 a featured listing is very unlikely. That’s also why this listing is extremely rare since the floral grips were available for a very short time.

Murph

It looks like all the distributors including early Smith and Wesson catalogs used early model ads.

Notice photo 1&2 is from an 1887 Smith & Wesson catalog that picture's a Model 1 DA straight cut side plate ? 7 years after discontinued.

Photo 3 is M.Robinson circa 1883 showing the floral grips on a model 1 straight cut side plate. Poor quality reproduction is likely why I didn’t notice it before. M. Robinson was Smith & Wessons primary Distributor.

Murph

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For those that are still interested.
I’m still looking for an earlier “Featured Listing”, for the 32 DA with Fancy Floral grips.
I have two early reproduction catalogs on the way. I’ll post what I find.

Murph

Murph:

The only 320 revolving carbine I ever had in my hand had the "Floral" grips in the RED press rubber or Bakelite, the buttstock matched in color but no floral pattern. That was 40 years ago, in a shop I frequented, a customer was getting an appraisal for insurance purposes.

Like we say: When it comes to S&W, never say never.

Ivan

Ivan,
Makes sense. RR was exactly the same timeframe but wow that’s gotta be rare.

Murph

Well,
No luck. The 1882 Smith & Wesson catalog depicts standard Hard Rubber grips on the new model 32 DA.
I think the only issue that might have the Fancy Floral grips would be circa 1880/1881.
So far that year catalog hasn’t shown up. Someone has it I’m sure.

Murph