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"Club Gun" - what is the over view of these?

O

Oyeboteb

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I recall reading some years ago about S & W "Club Pistols", their out of sequence ( for their base model ) serial numbers, and, relative scarcity.

I never thought I would see or own one, but I did find and buy one and have it home now.

Will start a little thread for it tomorrow once it is daylight and I can snap some images.

What is the over view of these generally?

When did they begin? When did they end?

Who did they actually belong to at the time?

Has anyone compiled a registry of 'Survivors' ?

I think I recall that the "Club Pistols" were both M1902 and m1905 ( K Frame ) Target models, and also New Century Target models and also some early 2nd Model Hand ejector Target models.

Were other earlier or later Revolvers in on this also?

Thanks!

Oye
 
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bigwheelzip said:
Congratulations on a nice catch. Don't know much about guns, but there was a cool thread about one that a member picked up, which was the first I'd heard about them.

Diamond in the Rough; A Club Gun Story

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Thank you bigwheelip for that link!

What a great story and an interesting Revolver!

I had thought somehow that the "Club Pistols" were indeed varied and sometimes unexpected chamberings.

This info helps fill things in for me.
 
murphydog said:
If you change the title of your post to "Club Gun", you will probably attract the attention of one of the senior SWCA members who goes by "Club Gun Fan". He knows a thing or two about these. :)
Click to expand...

Thank you murphydog..."done"!
 
Club guns consist of a group of guns given to shooting clubs, also to individuals. Many/most/?? carry serial numbers beginning with zero, some with a serial number of zero alone, and others with normal serials. There are/were thought to be approximately 700 such items, most of which are listed on the Club Gun list available here in the Downloads section. The practice likely began long before anybody thought to keep a list, but the list begins with items put together in 1899 and continues into the latter half of the 20th century, and I have no doubt the practice continues today.

As to what type of weapons were included, it would be fair to say, "You name it, and you'll likely find it on the list.".

I had such a gun, although not a "Club Gun", per se; but a gun given to an individual, Philip B. Sharpe, in this instance; given in recognition of his contribution to the success of the company----and so he'd say nice things about it in the magazine he worked with. It was a K-22 2nd Model (22/40), and was no doubt just one of several so gifted----Registered Magnum #2 being probably the most noteworthy.

Don Mundell (a k a "Club Gun Fan") is a member of this forum, the Assistant Historian of the S&W Historical Foundation, the owner of a significant number of these guns, and has most certainly forgotten more than I know about them. I can pretty much guarantee he'll be along---sooner rather than later.

Ralph Tremaine
 
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rct269 said:
Club guns consist of a group of guns given to shooting clubs, also to individuals. Many/most/?? carry serial numbers beginning with zero, some with a serial number of zero alone, and others with normal serials. There are/were thought to be approximately 700 such items, most of which are listed on the Club Gun list available here in the Downloads section. The practice likely began long before anybody thought to keep a list, but the list begins with items put together in 1899 and continues into the latter half of the 20th century, and I have no doubt the practice continues today.

As to what type of weapons were included, it would be fair to say, "You name it, and you'll likely find it on the list.".

I had such a gun, although not a "Club Gun", per se; but a gun given to an individual, Philip B. Sharpe, in this instance; given in recognition of his contribution to the success of the company----and so he'd say nice things about it in the magazine he worked with. It was a K-22 2nd Model (22/40), and was no doubt just one of several so gifted----Registered Magnum #2 being probably the most noteworthy.

Don Mundell (a k a "Club Gun Fan") is a member of this forum, the Assistant Historian of the S&W Historical Foundation, the owner of a significant number of these guns, and has most certainly forgotten more than I know about them. I can pretty much guarantee he'll be along---sooner rather than later.

Ralph Tremaine
Click to expand...

Thanks Ralph!

Much appreciated.

Mine is "069" and is an m1905 "Square Butt" ( if having the erstwhile usually thought of as m1902 internals ), Barrel Legend of 38 S & W Special & U S Service Ctg's.

Has "Club Pistol" stamped in tiny font, on the front Grip Frame.
 
Okay------#069 shows a manufacturing date of 12/27/1904, and is described as .38 H.E. 6.5" barrel.

A letter will likely tell you more about the gun---will likely refer to it as a Model of 1902 1st Change, may tell you the ultimate recipient, or simply say it was delivered to a Wesson. I seem to recall being told 50 or more club guns were delivered to Wessons---the presumption being they/most were then passed along to whomever---wherever. Interestingly enough, #'s 020 through 025 were all for "Winans" (big time target shooter), and doesn't really say what model the guns are---could be NM #3's. All I recall is 6.5" barrels, and all six guns were the same, albeit perhaps of different calibers. The "Club Pistol" stamp on yours is a new one on me, but almost anything about a Club Gun is. I suppose I've seen a dozen or so over the years, but have never owned one.

Ralph Tremaine

I just remembered one (speaking of Model of 1902 1st Change) that one could perhaps think of as a quasi-Club Gun. It's #59794, and was delivered to "Edward H. Burton, Shop". Roy seems to have taken a special interest in this one, and went looking for that individual in the Springfield and area city directories, and found no such person. He did find a photograph of company foremen of the time, one of whom was Edward H. Burt, and surmises the photo caption might be incorrect. It's pretty much a lead pipe cinch something was incorrect somewhere, and coming upon errors in company records is old news.
 
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Ralph
The back story is I bought it in 2008. The next day,the gentleman I bought it from asked to have it back so he could complete a deal for 3 other guns he sold to a mutual friend. I reluctantly sold it back. Last November, it showed up on Gunbroker. I wasn't going to let it get away a second time. I do consider it a Club Gun.
 
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rct269 said:
Okay------#069 shows a manufacturing date of 12/27/1904, and is described as .38 H.E. 6.5" barrel.

A letter will likely tell you more about the gun---will likely refer to it as a Model of 1902 1st Change, may tell you the ultimate recipient, or simply say it was delivered to a Wesson. I seem to recall being told 50 or more club guns were delivered to Wessons---the presumption being they/most were then passed along to whomever---wherever. Interestingly enough, #'s 020 through 025 were all for "Winans" (big time target shooter), and doesn't really say what model the guns are---could be NM #3's. All I recall is 6.5" barrels, and all six guns were the same, albeit perhaps of different calibers. The "Club Pistol" stamp on yours is a new one on me, but almost anything about a Club Gun is. I suppose I've seen a dozen or so over the years, but have never owned one.

Ralph Tremaine

I just remembered one (speaking of Model of 1902 1st Change) that one could perhaps think of as a quasi-Club Gun. It's #59794, and was delivered to "Edward H. Burton, Shop". Roy seems to have taken a special interest in this one, and went looking for that individual in the Springfield and area city directories, and found no such person. He did find a photograph of company foremen of the time, one of whom was Edward H. Burt, and surmises the photo caption might be incorrect. It's pretty much a lead pipe cinch something was incorrect somewhere, and coming upon errors in company records is old news.
Click to expand...

Thank you rct269!

"12/27/04" is very nice to know!

I will send off for "the Letter" soon, and see if it may have anything further to add.

Nice ( high 40s anyway and clear ) Kansas weather here today, so I will get some images taken and post a little Thread showing the Revolver later today sometime.
 
Club Gun Fan said:
Ralph
Here is the Burt gun your speaking of.
Click to expand...

Same Stocks as mine, if mine being a little lighter color Walnut.

Were these stocks likely made in House at S & W?

Or...are they attributed to a particular Maker of the era?

Thanks for posting this one..!
 
Oyeboteb said:
Same Stocks as mine, if mine being a little lighter color Walnut.

Were these stocks likely made in House at S & W?

Or...are they attributed to a particular Maker of the era?

Thanks for posting this one..!
Click to expand...

It's likely they are Roper grips from the 1930s on but a few other companies were selling something similar.

RxT9UHN.jpg
 
paplinker said:
It's likely they are Roper grips from the 1930s on but a few other companies were selling something similar.

RxT9UHN.jpg
Click to expand...

Ahhh!

I slightly mis-spoke though, as mine are Right Handed Thumb Rest Stocks, so the left Stock then has the Thumb Rest, otherwise, similar pattern of checking but a little different at the bottom.

Images soon..!

Thank you!
 
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rct269 said:
>>>snip<<<
There are/were thought to be approximately 700 such items, most of which are listed on the Club Gun list available here in the Downloads section.

Ralph Tremaine
Click to expand...

Thanks Ralph!

Where would I find the 'Downloads section'?
 
At the top of the page, go to "Downloads," then "Files,' then "Lists." For everyone on the Forum who is not a SWCA member, this is not accessible. Another reason to join.

Bob
 
red9 said:
At the top of the page, go to "Downloads," then "Files,' then "Lists." For everyone on the Forum who is not a SWCA member, this is not accessible. Another reason to join.

Bob
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob!

...found it, mine is 'there', what an interesting List..!
 
That list is one of a number we have, it is far from complete. Club Guns went into the 1970's where I believe the practice stopped. I haven't seen Club Guns listed after that.
 
Club Gun Fan said:
Ralph
The back story is I bought it in 2008. The next day,the gentleman I bought it from asked to have it back so he could complete a deal for 3 other guns he sold to a mutual friend. I reluctantly sold it back. Last November, it showed up on Gunbroker. I wasn't going to let it get away a second time. I do consider it a Club Gun.
Click to expand...

Don (if I may, since I don't actually know you other than through your spectacular posts),
You gave it back :eek: then much later paid a presumably much higher price!;) You, sir, are a gentleman, and now can possess this stunning gun without remorse!
 
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