Is it the number of S&W firearms you own? Is it the different models you own? Is it the condition of those firearms?
Is it a combination of them? I never thought of myself as a collector, just an enthusiast, as my S&W purchases have mostly been used but not abused. Lately, I find myself purchasing LNIB S&W's, complete package in their original box with the goodies. I'm just hoping I haven't metamorphosed into a collector....but maybe??
My Smith and Wessonitis has taken full hold.

The second Smith and Wesson, especially if it is out of production

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Kind regards, Heinz

It's different strokes for different folks. Some people collect only revolvers. Some only semi-autos. Some military or police guns. Some people collect shooters. Some people collect only pristine examples. Everybody is different. That is what makes life intereting.

I am firmly in the enthusiast camp- used, but not abused, firearms that I can shoot, carry and enjoy. The concept of NIB with all the accoutrements has almost zero appeal to me.

Depends. . . are you thinking you're a serious collector? Or maybe a real collector? Or a pristine collector? An investment collector? There are other variants too.

Some think a "serious collector" won't have any guns that aren't ANIB with everything that came in the box. . .and the box the box came in too.

Some might suggest that a "pristine collector" might not have all the piece parts but certainly wouldn't have any that aren't in "pristine" condition.

A "real collector" is a bit more elusive, but it is unlikely that a real collector would be confused with a serious collector or a pristine collector.

I'm not sure what constitutes an "investment collector" but presumably someone who collects in anticipation of great gains in value over time.

It's less complicated I think, just to be an accumulator or even an aggregator. That way we can even have a few that show a little wear and that we shoot occasionally.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

It boils down to just having an interest in S&W...My interest is historical, although the beauty of form and function are also a draw for me......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

I collect US military handguns, focusing on US military issued revolvers. I consider myself also a S&W collector but limited mainly to military connected Smith & Wesson's. I will say that S&W makes up well over half of my military collection (though that is as much because I do not choose to go down the M1911 rabbit hole as anything else).

As for condition collecting, a military focus kind of forces you into "used but excellent/good condition" territory. I try to get the best condition my budget allows, but I do not let honest wear keep me from buying rarer examples I need.

I am what's known as an "Accumulator". Enthusiast, enjoyer of the craft and community, attracted to well-used blue steel objects. I accumulate shooter grade N frames and a select few vintage safe queens. My bad habit is finding and reconditioning old and often unloved S&W's back to serviceable condition, mostly so I can make up a stories about them. The Model of 1926 .44 Military, "Warts and All", is one of my favorite shooters. 1946-'49 transition period long action N frames seem to be the smoothest double actions in my pile. Maybe it's because they are well-seasoned and, well, old and experienced. Like me.

44HE 3rd WSP S62697.jpg S63838 HD 1946.jpg 44 Magnum S147233_July56_right_adj.jpg Gila's El Paso TL 13823.jpg S63104 44HE 3rd July 19 1946 warts and all_2.jpg

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

I don't think collectors buy new firearms unless they happen to be reproductions of some bygone model like a Schofield.

My idea of a collector is someone who likes the historical connection.

But then I'm not a collector so I really couldn't define it.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Hey I have the exact same problem. I shoot all the time but I also have found over the past 10 years I have collected a number of NIB revolvers and 3rd gen S&W autos. I can’t bring myself to shoot them. So I guess I am in the same boat as you are.

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M.J.Hanna

I collect variations in the progression of the mechanics of the revolver .
from early internal & external operation of the working of the parts together. Following the progression through the model changes to present day to me it is like looking at a watch innards.

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age is just a number

I've bought and sold Smith & Wesson revolvers for 52 years.

I fought becoming a collector because I didn't think I had the
interest or dedication to one facet of the subject.

When I finally gained an interest in one model I still avoided the
moniker "collector." That model came and went, then another, and
finally the Chiefs Special bug bit me, and for nearly a decade it's
stuck.

I now consider myself a collector, and the transition didn't hurt one bit.

Joining the S&W Collectors Association was a great move. The
fellowship, the Journal, and especially the annual symposium:
they're the best. Great stuff awaits those who take the dive.

I've branched out to include Bodyguards in my interests. I still
have seven Chiefs and two Bodyguards on my want list. I might
never see any of the nine, but the hunt is still great fun.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I'd say collector is just an accumulator who has sorted out which guns bring the most all around pleasure to them.

I think I became a S&W collector when I parted 4 lesser guns that I had accumulated to acquire 1 much more pleasing gun. I had to have the accumulation to know what I liked and didn't like, and the process is ever ongoing, but now I have settled into exactly the guns that I derive the greatest pleasure from searching for and acquiring.

So I would say I am now a collector.

I think the second best thing about being a S&W collector (second after the wonderful people), is the broad range of collecting niches available with S&Ws. There is no real "having one of each" S&W. Even if you think you have all of the variations you just run into club guns and you will never have all of them. Even if you had all the money in the world a lifetime of collecting couldn't get you a "complete" collection of every S&W variation.

And that's great because there is pretty much something perfect for everyone's tastes and temperament and budget. Something pleasing, and fun, and high quality.

Which loops back to the best part of S&W Collecting, the people. Even when a fellow is in competition with someone in their particular niche it's friendly. I get genuine pleasure from seeing people I know get guns I would personally love to own because I know how much they appreciate that gun too.

And when you get to hang out with the great people who enjoy other niches outside of yours; boy then you get to have some real fun being introduced to other S&W rabbit holes you didn't even know existed.

And not everyone needs to be a collector. There's plenty of room for shooters, and reloaders, and accumulators in the S&W community. Those are just more niches outside of all of the myriad of models and features and modifications and historical information you get with S&Ws.

My definition of a “collection” is a group of items that were deliberately assembled and that share a common theme. How narrow or broad that theme might be is up to the collector.

The question of what makes one a “collector” is more difficult to answer. If pressed on the issue, I would suggest that if you find yourself buying an item that is redundant (meaning you already have something that will fulfill its identical function) just because you want it…you might be a collector.

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Mark Lathem

Last Dec I had never fired a firearm of any kind. Only plastic BB’s.
Now I own 21 pinned Smiths with two more I’m about to lay out for..
Some real real nice ones in my opinion and a three or four that are nice shooters.
Some might consider them all shooters?
Couple that were advertised as either unfired or fired very little.
I know what I’m collecting and what I’m willing to lay out for.
I guess I don’t consider myself a serious collector because I’m a newbie, but I have definitely been collecting.
Honeymoon phase for me and really enjoying learning about the history and different models, finishes and manufacturing.
I am hooked.
I always loved the aesthetic of the SW

I kinda started out as a accumulator. When I was in college I worked in a joint on campus (short order cook,soda jerk, cleanup guy for the dance floor).My boss was a pistol shooter, showed me his K-22, K-32, K-38 and I was partially hooked on Smiths, Before I could get started I flunked out of collage and ended up joining the Air Force before the draft could get me. In Libya ('62) I bought my first Smith (Victory Model), but I also bought a 1916 Luger, Highway patrolman (and sold it), Model 19 (I still have)and a Colt Woodsman. Later in life('68) I traded the woodsman for a 32-20 from a cop in Chicago and that started my fascination of Smiths. A big help in my collection was when I retired from the AF, started my second Job that had a good retirement . I had more free funds to spend on my hobby. When the house and cars got paid off and I started buying more expensive Smiths. I don't think anyone starts out as a collector.
SWCA 892

Good taste and some cash to have fun with.

the difference for me is intention... I am an accumulator my pile has meandered without focus... and as of now I have no intention of focus... I am content with my lil pile of stuff

Money. $$$$$$$$

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LEX ET ORDO

In the beginning, I would have to trade what I had to get what I wanted… As time passed, I would be able to keep what I had and buy what I wanted. I was always looking for the “perfect’ model for whatever use I had envisioned. Carrying, hunting or shooting targets. As the guns begin to multiply in the safe you realize you are now some kind of a collector. As far as collecting as an investment, I find that is not accurate once you put the numbers on paper until / unless you obtain such a serious collection that others will pay a serious price to own one of your guns. I believe the thrill of the chase is what keeps a collector going as well as doing something with his time other than stare at a monthly investment statement.

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S&W factory revolver armorer

If you have more than you can shoot 200 rounds a year out of, you're a collector. If you have ones you don't shoot, you're a collector.

I really enjoyed reading through this Thread and absorbing all of the different opinions on what makes a "collector". I'm not sure that it's in the right Forum section, but it's a fun Thread and I'll throw my hat into the ring.

I'm still not sure in what category I belong. Although I have what I call a "modest collection" (around 60 firearms, half of which are vintage S&W revolvers), I don't consider myself a collector. Perhaps more in the Accumulator camp! Some of my S&Ws are in beautiful condition, but they're not pristine or ANIB. They are all shooters. I also enjoy adopting stray and unloved revolvers and giving them some TLC. I can truly appreciate the large and extraordinary collections of many of our esteemed Forum members, and I'm thankful that they are acting as the caretakers for these fine vintage firearms. Whatever group you're in...enjoy!

I have always considered myself an accumulator, probably because I bought the things that I liked to shoot. It just happened that the things I liked to shoot were Smith and Wessons. The accumulator title was reinforced by the local gun stores, they always offered the choice inventory to the dedicated collectors. The store owners were quite upset every time I managed to put my name on something before they could offer it to the dedicated collector.

If you have more than one...

I like guns that I can shoot, even if I do not shoot them. I have a couple of shotguns, both out of Fulton New York, and neither is pristine, one is refinished they both kill birds and bunnies. I have an inventory of handguns, from percussion through the various WWI automatics. Some revolvers and some Autos. I think I am an accumulator with some special interests, I think unfired is unused and unloved. A pristine antique woodworking tool is usually one that does not work very well.

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Kind regards, Heinz

Not sure what I'd call myself. I now have 12 S&W revolvers, all but 2 pre-lock (I don't hate/love the lock, I just think the pre-locks seem fit better, almost always have better/smoother action). That number will surely grow.

But when my wife recently accused me of now collecting them, I couldn't really refute her. I have more S&W revolvers than any other type of gun now. I almost never carry any of them, I even have some I've never shot, for various reasons... I just like them! I do, to an extent, view a lot of the pre-locks as not necessarily an investment (some certainly are), but as a reallocation of funds that won't lose value, and I can play with!

Something that has likely saved me some coin over the last few years is my lack of caring about box/papers/tools. As one of my customers years ago wisely said "I don't collect cardboard". To each their own.

Yup- The concept of consternating over things like the S&W brown paper wrap is amusing to me.

Me it's anything magnum in a Pre-Lock K/L/N Frame with at least a shroud over the extractor rod! I have in the Box / Presentation box and no box And I'm not prejudiced on what color the gun is. I would have to say that the model 29-2 and the model 648 are my favorites but I'll admit I love them all!
Tom

I don't know what constitutes a collection, but I am about to get my fourth Smith & Wesson revolver. That is the extent of my current collection, and I want more. As far as revolvers go, I am only interested in Smith & Wessons.

I have an odd cross section of older and very old S&W's, plus a few newer. After 26 years working in a museum, I came to appreciate the skills of the gunsmiths who built them.

1913 nickeled 38 HE, 1923 nickeled 44 HE, 1947 K-22, 1948 K-38, all 6". Also a 1950 M&P 38 2". The 44 is pristine factory finish. The 1913 and the '47 and '48 are a little more used. My 1950 M&P duplicates the second S&W I owned, a lifetime ago. The following "earlier" old ones are J's - two 1983's - blue 36 and nickel 38, and a 1972 60. Then two 3rd gens - a 1987 3913 and 1988 6906.

My newer ones are a 2019 617-6 and a 637-2 from 2017. The 1913 and 1923 are still unfired by me, but that will soon change when I get some factory equivalent loads built for them.

The M&P Pre-10 is amazingly accurate with 148gr wadcutters, and 158gr SWC. The 1947 K-38 a close second.

Collector? Yes. Shooter? Yes.

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Heavily armed old man.

Last week a young friend showed interest in my old revolvers by asking for a quick history of the of Smith & Wesson N frame. I was able to show a selection of N frames, decade by decade, beginning with the Triplelock and ending at the 329 Night Guard, along with examples of the J, K, and L frames. Later I realized that I had just presented and discussed 100 years of S&W history and engineering changes. All of it with shooters, many with a story to tell. I think that sums up my collecting interest and accumulation.

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

“Collector” is a subjective term and applied…subjectively.

Some people give themselves the title, some have the title given to them whether they like it or not. And accumulators or enthusiasts may just be in serious denial!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I'm on mission to collect all of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen auto loaders. On the way, I've picked up some other pieces that I thought were interesting or could use for EDC. I have also acquired a few of the M&P semi-auto line and I suppose when I get all of the 1, 2 and 3 gens or "hit a wall" waiting for a few rare models to show up, I'll focus on the M&P's.

I also love the revolvers. I have all of the J frames, working on the model 10 and 15's, but there are so many and so many variants, I'm not thinking I will ever get them all.

I am, I suppose, an "investing" collector but also an enthusiastic shooter, so it is fun to take one for a spin every now and then to experience shooting something made 50, 60 or even 70 years ago. Anyway, I have fun cleaning, polishing and repairing minor flaws and shooting them when I need a little target practice.

I like NIB, but I won't pay more for the box or I wouldn't turn one down if it didn't have the box.

If I DO buy a NIB I shoot it anyway. I have no intention of selling any in my "collection", I am not interested in making a profit, and my heirs can do as they please when I'm gone.

IMHO .........

There are a lot more "Accumulators" than "Collectors".

Lots of "purchases of opportunity" vs "focused searches"


In the end one still ends up with a "collection" of firearms!!

Yes, and being just a little bit crazy.

Embrace it and join the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association.

15 or so years ago I advanced from Enthusiast to Collector and have never looked back. A very fun ride. It's all about how you view yourself and your passion.

A photo of some of the accumulated 3.5" 357 Magnums and boxes that I have enthusiastically collected over the years...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Lots of "purchases of opportunity" Yup, that's about 90%+ of my pile o' N-frames.

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

I consider myself an enthusiast since I shoot all of mine. I like many of the older guns and AT THIS POINT don’t care about boxes or non fired or anything that comes with them.

Several months ago I owned a Glock and another semi auto. I wasn’t really a handgun guy. I have always wanted a shiny 357 and a hunting revolver, not knowing or really caring which brand.

After jumping into 7 S&W’s within a 6 week timeframe I know have a half dozen must haves on my list. I am sure I will pick up many others along the way.

I have discovered that S&W revolvers are now a passion of mine and I have been researching them every day since.

It appears I’ll be a collector one day…

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think most of us start out as accumulators then we find "the one" that is just right and makes our hearts go pitty-pat and we start collecting other examples or variations of "the one".

In my case, I collect 1950 Target .44 Specials with 4" barrels....



...but then I realized that the First Model, Second Model, and Third Model .44 Specials were also fun, so I had to have some of those.




I have also accumulated a wide variety of guns that I thought were pretty or interesting or just plain different. Never in my life did I say "I want a 6" Regulation Police Target in .32 Long" but when I saw one for sale I grabbed it because it was unique. Then I bought a 1905 Target .38 because it looked like a big brother to the .32 and they made a neat pair.

Now that I think about it, you should probably run away while you still can. There is no hope of many of us here...

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SWCA #3942 / SWHF #988

My wife always tells me I have a collection of collections......

I’ve never really thought about what I call myself. I tell people I’m a firearms collector. But “accumulator” or “enthusiast” is probably more accurate. I don’t own a gun I wouldn’t shoot, and I treat the claim of “never fired” the same as I do when I see Corvette owners claiming, “Never driven in the rain”.

I also will sell a gun in a heartbeat. In over 50 years I’ve probably owned several hundred firearms with probably over 100 being S&W handguns. I want to try every model out and I can’t afford to keep them all. So I go though them like crazy. Luckily, I live in a state where buying and selling guns is drama free.

One thing I do believe is that “old” is not necessarily “collectable”. I’ve seen a lot of guns that have a big price tag because they are old. But they are in very rough condition. I wouldn’t think that was much of a collectable.

Something I saw for the first time the other day was a guy selling a gun that he thought was worth more because it had a 1970’s date. That made me smile. Man…the years go by quick.

A friend that tells you that after you have so many S&W's in your gun collection, you are now a S&W collector :-)))

Haven't got a photo of the whole family...gotta do that soon! But here's a few:

Attached Images

269571386_332555652101511_2369615203659872360_n.jpg (96.4 KB, 16 views)

I guess all the labels fit me. I have been owning and shooting S&W's since my high school days (early 70's). A lot of them came and went as I couldn't afford to keep them all if I wanted the next one. I really begin to focus on an area or niche back around 2000, when I begin to appreciate prewar, target sighted revolvers. I add those whenever I can, some are shooters and others are not. That said, I also buy about any good, pre-lock one I come across if the funds are present. So I guess I collect, shoot and caretake. The thing is, it's all fun and as Modified mentioned above, there are great people you meet along the way that share this passion. So enjoy it in any fashion you choose to participate. You'll never own it all, nor should you try. Just appreciate and feel some satisfaction in what you find along the way.

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Randy
SWCA #2468 SWHF #346

Ownership of Four (4) or more S&W handguns.

Unfortunately there are two opposite sides of collecting.
A virus that I am irremediably infected by.
One positive and fascinating and they are the research, the history, the beauty and the knowledge of the objects you collect and that you share with other enthusiasts. The collector if serious and evolved always tries to write a story and make it.
I did it with Ducati motorcycles with Nikon reflex cameras and more.
I'm trying to do that with Smith & Wesson revolvers since 1980, it's beautiful and gratifying but it also has a dark side that of always wanting to move forward, it seems that what you have is not enough for you, it seems that you are insatiable
Seems the obsession of the extra piece, the perennial dissatisfaction with what you have and the search for more because what you have is not enough for you...
I am constantly searching, I never have enough, if I find a NIB I buy it even if I already have the same ones, even more than one. Of some models I have 4 or 5 identical examples in barrel length, variant, characteristics and period.
And once I have acquired them I no longer sell them, they go to keep each other company in the safe. I don't shoot the Smith in the collection, not even a single shot, they could be nailed and I wouldn't find out! I have some used ones and some stainless steel ones for shooting.
But own this multitude of Smith & Wesson revolvers makes me happy.
The best thing was meeting the association and the forum...
Being part of it mitigates the negative aspects, I feel at ease and it is a source of admiration and knowledge. The next step will be to come to the Symposium.

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Ciao from Rome
Marcello

As you can see by the logos next to my screen name, I am a collector. There is no negative side to this title. I buy what I want, and sometimes that changes. It could be I-frames for a while, and suddenly it could be Ks, or N-frames, or maybe even an old 1911. I've shot a lot of my guns, no problem with that. I've never come back from the range, thinking that I've devalued one of my guns. When I clean them up, they look just as good as before. I like boxes, but I don't need them, just something else to keep up with. If you tell someone that you aren't a collector, but they know you have several guns, they might refer to you as an arms hoarder, or having an arsenal. These aren't endearing terms to those who don't know or understand firearms enthusiasts. If you are chatting with those who are possibly negative about guns, don't even go into any details, or about how much ammo you have.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Collector = more dollars than sense.

Came to post this...........