Production runs on the Heritage Series guns from the Performance Center were small (100 or so on some models) because the loss rates of K-frames in the Turnbull Case Coloring were high (told to me by personnel of the PC---I had a series of #0126 guns and they told me they could not produce some models).....


Also, the .356TSW guns like the pocket rocket are very scarce....


Just a couple amongst many.....
Terry

They are not too hard to find, S&W has made them for years. Here is a left handed Triple Lock I own. Even the rifling turns to the left, I think it was built for the Australian market, supposed to be very accurate down there.

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John. SWCA #1586

Chud, that's been my experience exactly!

Everyone seems to have his own idea of what is a rare S&W, so I will nominate the C Frame Model 73 in 38 Special.

The ONE Registered Magnum in 22lr. Search for the thread here on the forum.

There are many rare model variants (29-1) but most would never show up in a pawn shop. Some that might due to ignorance of the sellers (Non S&W enthusiasts).. Model 547 & 940 9mm's. These are out of production and not many were made (especially the 547). These are likely to show up because who would want a 9mm revolver when you can get a 17 round semi auto for $400 new? A 5 screw pre 36 "Baby Chief", A model 52 .38 wadcutter, (who needs one of these?)
These are definitely rare but not the rarest . All can be had for about a $1,000 and under. But they are likely to show up at a pawn shop for much less than they are worth since they are not very well known outside S&W enthusiasts circles. Anyway if I saw any of these in a pawn shop for a reasonable price I would be taking them home!

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

I have a new and unfired, lettered model 50. I also have a model 520 that is new in the box. I think both of these would fall under the rare description in their current conditions.

well I'd say any good old smith from the 1950's or 60's, namely with a good honest used patina that was handed down in someones family and just so happened to show up for sale for whatever reason.

as you just cant beat the look of an old smith that's been around the block a few times from that era, plus you wont be afraid to use it!

got a K22 just like it that belonged to a vietnam vets father that got handed down to him and then to a friend of mine and then to me and by far its my favorite smith out of the bunch and I wouldnt trade it for the world.

I'd have to agree with Mr. Fisher that RARE truly is a one of a kind. Then again the term "rare" is so overused.

FN in MT

That would be the one I can't live without, when I have the cash money in my pocket.

The most common are the ones I find when I'm broke.

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John 3:16 .

For a hundred+ years this was also true about the state of Idaho. Sure, they printed the name on potato bags, but nobody had ever been there nor had anybody met anybody who was from there. Then, along came the internet, and we started to believe!

And so it is with this legendary gun - the magic of the internet makes it real!

But darn if you'll ever stumble across one in some ratty ole' pawn shop.

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But then, what do I know?

Regulation police 32 ctg target.

The one sitting on the top of this page would rate very rare to me. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be there.

Guns associated with people, with stories, are some of the most intriguing guns......like that two incher!!

The 686-3 in midnight black is not all that common. I haven't common across many 35's either.

How about this Nickel Pre-21?



One of two made and the other one has been refinished...



Drew

I saw a Model 52 with 4" barrel at the NE Ohio Bunch meeting today beloning to Dave N. Since only 1 was ever made.. it may qualify as one of the rarest! Included in the collection he brought today was a prototype model 52 and a 9mm 52 (1of 5). I would say that today I really understood the difference between rare and scarce.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

The 4 inch full lug 14-6 is one. 125 to 131 made according to the fellow at S&W who made them.

The 3 inch model 19's are also quite scarce. Regards 18DAI

Wow Drew........wouldn't that be rarer than very very rare or ultra rare?
Always love seeing pics of your collection.

For me (and probably for me only) it is the Model 38 or original humpback Bodyguard .38 It is really ugly to some (but not me) and I only wish I'd not sold mine. I've not been able to find another for a reasonable price for quite awhile.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Already said but in my experience it would be rare to find a decent Smith in a pawn shop much less anything rare. That said, every Smith is desirable, and the only reason not to buy one is lack of funds, usually my reason.
But I seriously desire ones made before 1980 and preferably before 1965.
There seems to have been quality control problems during the period of British ownership to me. But I still would buy any Smith I felt wasn't over priced, that I could afford.