I don’t think I have seen these before, and thought they might interest the members here. I have 3 vintage S&W Catalogs. The earliest one I have is the “SMITH & WESSON, Manufacturers of Superior Revolvers, 75th Anniversary Catalog”. It is not dated, but since Wesson left Volcanic Repeating Arms in 1856, and rejoined Smith to form the Smith & Wesson Revolver Company, which would become the modern Smith & Wesson company, I guess the 75th Anniversary would be about 1931. Also, it shows the K22 Outdoorsman in it and we know it started shipping in 1931. From what I can tell, these dates are kinda hinky. Why do I say this? Because my other 2 catalogs are the “SMITH & WESSON, Manufacturers of Superior Revolvers, 80th Anniversary Catalog” which should be 5 years later. On the inside of these catalogs, there are dated pamphlets. The earlier 1st edition one has a 1934 Retail Price List. The later 2nd edition one has three June 1935 dated pamphlets.
Apparently, there were different versions of the catalogs with not only different dated price lists, but some different information too. The price lists were stapled to the back cover of the catalog. I was disappointed that the 75th Anniversary catalog didn’t have a price list with it, but I noticed that there were not any staple holes in the cover either. So I assume that it never came with a price list. The “new” .357 Magnum is in my 2nd edition 80th, but not in the 1st edition, and it is actually an announcement of the Magnum revolver, but does not show the gun. When the Magnum is not in the 80th, the Straight Line Single Shot Pistol is, and when the Magnum is in it, the Straight Line Single Shot Pistol is not.
Here are some pictures of the catalogs and pamphlets, and I will add pictures of some of the interior pages later on too.
Larry
Apparently, there were different versions of the catalogs with not only different dated price lists, but some different information too. The price lists were stapled to the back cover of the catalog. I was disappointed that the 75th Anniversary catalog didn’t have a price list with it, but I noticed that there were not any staple holes in the cover either. So I assume that it never came with a price list. The “new” .357 Magnum is in my 2nd edition 80th, but not in the 1st edition, and it is actually an announcement of the Magnum revolver, but does not show the gun. When the Magnum is not in the 80th, the Straight Line Single Shot Pistol is, and when the Magnum is in it, the Straight Line Single Shot Pistol is not.
Here are some pictures of the catalogs and pamphlets, and I will add pictures of some of the interior pages later on too.
Larry
