So, quick story on this- my father was getting ready to sell this gun to a collector when I literally walked into the room and said "nope". I managed to keep it in the family. My father got it from his grandmother. She got it from her husband, my great grandfather, who had received it from his father. So, I'm the fifth generation to own this pistol. Lettered it, and got a pleasant surprise. This is a second year gun, shipped from the factory on Dec 31, 1889, to a hardware store in Philadelphia PA. I am currently looking to see if I can find records on the store. Just thought it was neat to find the history on this gun that we've had for so long.

So, quick story on this- my father was getting ready to sell this gun to a collector when I literally walked into the room and said "nope". I managed to keep it in the family. My father got it from his grandmother. She got it from her husband, my great grandfather, who had received it from his father. So, I'm the fifth generation to own this pistol. Lettered it, and got a pleasant surprise. This is a second year gun, shipped from the factory on Dec 31, 1889, to a hardware store in Philadelphia PA. I am currently looking to see if I can find records on the store. Just thought it was neat to find the history on this gun that we've had for so long.

When did you send for the letter. Neat gun, glad you were able to keep it in the family

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Gary Grace
S&WCA #1837

Sent for the letter in the beginning of July, got here about two weeks ago. It took a full 90 days, but I had two more lettered as well.

Oh man, what a good save. Very nice pistol, and with the box to boot.


Cat

__________________
Think for yourself.

What was the name of the hardware co. in Philly? I have a pre-1900 S&W that was shipped to E.K. Tyron Co. in Philadelphia.

Yup, that's the one. Apparently they were a fairly prodigious sporting goods and hardware company from the early 1800's through the 1900's. that's about all I know. There's a bunch of people online looking for info on the company, but no one seems to be finding any answers.

I know they actually had some gun companies make models specifically for them, I have no idea if S&W ever did though.

Hi Dave & Rick, I also have a .32 S&W New Departure that was shipped to E.K. Tryon Co. The S&W letter indicates shipment on January 1, 1892, sn 283xx. BTW the brownish dis- coloration of the grip shown in your photo is a natural change due to age and, possibly, lighting- like UV or something. I hope you find something on the company. I checked on the web, rather cursorily I'm afraid, and didn't glean much. I bought some Winchester .32 S&W and intend to fire my "lemon squeezer" in the near future. I'll post any info I run across in re Tyron. Regards, Ray

http://books.google.com/books?id=BJRJZZIxrmkC&pg=PA139&...t&resnum=4&ct=result

Thanks for the link jellybean- there's actually a bunch on the family genealogy I've found, but less on the company.

Those grips do look brown don't they? They look black normally, I guess the flash did that.