Congrats, Mark... Tell us more about 'em !!

DLC

Thanks DC,
The rough revolver was made in 1908 delivered 1909 serial number 25.. The nice one made in 1917 refinished in the 50's modified with a "McGivern" style sight and a new set of grips by SW...Both guns found at Santa Barbara Gun Show..

And Dave my good friend... I plan on shooting the heck of this too!!!!

Great TLs, thanks for posting.

S/N 25 ?? That's a score, regardless of condition !! You'll enjoy them both, I'm sure of that --

DC

Santa Barbara shows are very different than ours here in western NC. Last week I visited the Asheville gun show. Not a single pre war N or K frame, with the exception of a couple beater 1917s.

They had nothing other than rifles and the usual brick or brac but there were a few expensive gems: A military 1902 Colt; A beautiful 1905 Colt and a really great 1902 Sport; A Brazilian and an Argentinian 1911, a few pre war commercial Colt 1911 and of course many single actions.... A few other things but not a great selection.. Better than nothing I figure and in the end i score big time...

I was lurking at the table when Mark made his deal for these two TLs. They are really nice specimens.

I would think serial number 25 might have been manufactured on the first or second DAY of production. Cool beyond words.

The Santa Barbara gun show focuses on antique and C&R firearms. Modern guns may be seen here and there, but sellers are sometimes asked to take them off display if they are recognized by event management.

(Yeah, I picked up a couple of things too. More about those later. )

__________________
David Wilson

Thanks again for dinner David.. Great to meet you and the other SWCA So Cal members....

Mark, As you know, I told you some of the background on serial number 25 at the show, and I'll repeat some of it here for the benefit of members who didn't get a chance to see the show in Santa Barbara ( and attend the great dinner and get together afterwards. I also thank you David for your generosity!) T-Lock serial number 25 was one of the approx. 30 early guns assembled for the 1906 Army trials, wherein the Army specified caliber 45 for all guns entered in the trials. S&W did not have a .45 cal revolver at this time, so they came up with the .45 S&W Special cartridge and chambered some of these early guns in that caliber, to meet the Army specs. for the trials. Two guns we entered in the trials, one was destroyed by the rust test. The serial numbers are unknown for these two guns, or their whereabouts today. S&W did not win the trials nor a contract with the Army, so the remaining guns were mostly rechambered in other calibers, such as .44 Special and 44-40, but not all. . Some of these original guns are in the hands of collectors, still in .45 Special caliber. I've had serial numbers 2 and 9 in .45 Special, and brought them to the "Show & tell" at a Tulsa show in the past. Some boxes of the ammo. are known to collectors, made by Frankford Arsenal in 4 different variations of head stamps, etc. S&W patent style revolver boxes marked .45 Special are known to collectors. When S&W introduced the T-Locks in 1908, the marketing dep't shipped guns with high serial numbers first ( in the 3,000 + ranges ) to confuse the other gun makers about the sales of the "New Century " T-Lock. Later the earlier serial numbers were shipped, which explains why they have later shipping dates than higher numbered guns. Ed.

Wow!! You didn't mention 2 and 9!! Fantastic... Thanks Ed.. Mark