The oldest I own is this Model 1902 M&P in .38 special. It may look a bit shabby, but it's priceless to me because it belonged to my paternal grandfather. He carried in a shoulder holster when he was the proprietor of a country store in Crittenden, KY. The factory letter shows it was shipped in 1904 to Belknap Hardware in Louisville, KY. I don't doubt that my grandfather bought it new from them. It's obviously been through the wringer over the years, and re-nickeled at least once.



What's your oldest S&W?

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Not all that old but it's the oldest I have.

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No life story has happy end.

Probably a 5" victory, Australian military purchase, 38/200 caliber.

I have a rusty old 32 top break 4th model from 1907
. She is a cool little gun to look at. not bad for $89.00

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M.J.Hanna

A 1943 Victory

In my current collection, the two oldest were shipped in 1917.

a 1905-4th with 4" barrel and, a .38 Regulation Police also with a 4" barrel



Russ
SWCA #853

I do not know why but I am starting to like the 1880-1945 revolvers. I thing that era has some sort of nostalgia for me. Maybe that is why I still carry a revolver, longing for the days of cowboys and gangsters.....

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M.J.Hanna

A Model One-Second Issue .22 from 1864

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

1905 Target... under construction. Olllld member of the family gave it to me.

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Bill - SWCA #2327

My grandfather's .32 Single Action (Model 1-1/2) Top-break. Not worth much, but been in the family a long time.....
Mike

A .38/44 Outdoorsman from 1933, so 75 years old. Not that ancient in absolute terms, but thankfully still somewhat older than I am.

The red ramp sight looks like an unnamed gunsmith's addition later in this gun's life. The grip adapter in the second photo is a modern reproduction, but it sure makes the gun comfortable to hold and helps with accuracy.





David Wilson

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David Wilson

My oldest--a commercial Schofield shipped in 1877:

M&P 4th change Target, about 1918. Still looking for earlier M&P. -Donald

These are my oldest HEs. 1896 (shorter barrel) and 1901



I Think this is my oldest top break. .44-40 DA frontier 1896 shipped to M.W. Robinson NYC:

I have a model 1 1/2 32 CENTER fire thats from the 1880s. Its a great little gun but I overlooked the barrel bulge before I got it. It functions great after all those years. That barrel bulge..... But at least I learned a valuable lesson for about $220. Its the model without the strain screw, post 5000 SN I believe.

This Lemon squeezer thingy, 1891, 38 S&W,
5 shots at 7 yards. Standing

Old but still runs well.
Peter

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Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special

My forum ID should give you a hint. Bekeart type from the 1911 production run. (aka 22/32 Heavy Frame Target)

Sold my 1896 First Model Hand Ejector a few months ago.

Bekeart

My grandfathers 32 long. My grandfather carried it everyday. My dad used to 'sneak it out' as a teen. Now its in my care. I had a letter done-- don't remember the year off the top of my head around 1905 production.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...1208717217.jpg

A 1905 4th change .38 made in the 1920's.

This is a beautiful piece of history and a fine representation of a Smith from that era

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Bob

Combat Masterpiece 4 inch production year 1951. One year after I was born!

My .32 from 1892.

mine would be a 32 cal.new departure shipped march 1895...nickle finish and still in beautiful condition

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Mine is a model 15-2

Old Break top .38 around 1895 if I remember correctly

Attached Images

topbreaknickel1.jpg (141.6 KB, 54 views)

HE .38 Model of 1902. Pretty much a grey rat, but the grips are sound, and mechanically OK. Some previous owner filed on the front sight, but at least that means he shot it.

Model 14 6" wide tgt hammer & trigger, 1959. I don't have the original grips however. I'm interested in obtaining some period correct grips for it.
What type typically came with this?

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

This pea-shooter: a Target Model M&P (or 1905, 4th, whichever you prefer) .32-20, 6in barrel, from about the early to mid 1930's I believe (serial 130XXX), I haven't tried to get a letter yet.



Unfortunately the front sight and the grips have been changed, but the finish could definitely be worse. Very fun to shoot, too bad I can't find shells for under $35 though.

That would be this american relic. I belive dates 1871. The barrel was cut back. This gun was found in a old barn being tore down that was once a stage coach stop in montanna.


Next oldest is this triplelock dated I think 1909. (I dont have my record letter handy)
It was sent to the factory in 1949 and sights etc added.


Next would be this 1917



And then this 1950 target .44 special. Lost the original grips! I think without checking my letter this was made in 1954.


Probley next this 20 that I found a 21 barrel for and had converted to .44 special.


This m&p dates late 40s or early 50s. I havent researched it yet. Most my smiths are 60s and 70s. I have maybe 3 made in the 80s.

Gotta love those stag grips

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Fast is fine;accurate is final

1902 + 1905 lemmon sqeeuzers . Don't know how old but just picked up a H&R
.32 S&W with serial # 7xx , in about 96% shape. Sorry no pics !

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gunnut2u
(Tim)

I have a 44 special triple lock and a top break .32, not sure of the date on either but they are my oldest right now.

I'm not sure how many cowboys are left, but the news makes it sound like there are still plenty of gangsters around.

The standard stocks for revolvers in this era were diamond magnas, but since you have target features on your M14, it probably came with target stocks. They would look like the ones on the guns in this thread:

My New .22 Magnum (Pic heavy)

Those revolvers aren't Model 14s, but they are K-frame target guns from the early '60s and wear the kinds of stocks you would want -- checkered, diamonds around the screw, football cut-out on left panel.

David Wilson

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David Wilson

Thank you very much Mr. Wilson, that answers my question perfectly.
I had just received this Model 14 from an older gentleman who had been a police officer from the 50's-80's, he had carried it on duty from the time he bought it up until the early-mid 70's, when I guess the change to a 4"bbl was mandated.
I'd been told the originals had been "broken in the course of duty".
Once again, Thank you!

4th Model Double Action .32 Shipped Sept 30 1887

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OGCA Member.

My oldest is my 1905 4th target, vintage 1927. She's a good shooter too!

Attached Images

1905 target left profile.jpg (66.2 KB, 76 views)

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Stay safe people!

My oldest Smith is an infant compared to some of yall. It is a 1950 Military, .44 Spec 4". It was made around '55 or '56. Bob

Feral Merril,

I love the cut down .44 American. How much of a "relic" is it? From the photo
it doesn't look too bad for having been found in an old barn!

My oldest would have to be this S&W DA .44 Russian.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

1900 .38 Special S/N 5578, 4".

Attached Images

DSCF0151.jpg (105.6 KB, 1313 views)

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Are you listening or just waiting to talk?

Picked up a First Model HE 32-20, 52XX, it has been refinished and looks great, was looking for a shooter, and I believe I found one, mine is also missing the Ejector Rod crown, guess I will start shopping for one, any precautions when shooting this, I have been researching reduced loads?

Mod. 1 1/2 .32 Rimfire. Shipped Jan. 1873.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

A Model 1 second issue made in 1866. It is silver plated with ivory grips and factory engraved. If I can figure out how to post a photo, I will

I would love to see more pics of that .44 American. Looks better than just a relic! That barrel looks really cool at that length. I know it would be worth more if it wasn't chopped, but there's something cool about the fact it was probably chopped down long before it was considered a valuable handgun.

haven't had the #run yet,but should be my oldest.sorry about the cell phone pics! serial #C8757 on cylinder,frame and grips

1908 TL

1911 M&P Target, 3rd Model

Don

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OGCA Life
NRA Life

1905 4th Change.

Smitty

All those guns are classics, wish they could all speak and tell us their stories.
My oldest is a 1st model Russian blued made in 1872 with 8 inch barrel. Action is still smooth and faultless, barrel lockup still very tight. She has been refurbished, around 1880 but not at the factory, still researching the refinishers stamps at present. But totally professionally done. No easy job researching the Australian gunsmiths of that era or their stamps. Few records seem to remain. For pics see Antiques thread 1st model Russian value sought.