Looking forward to getting your check. I also have a couple requests for info that I will process over the weekend. Thanks for you interest.

__________________
SWHF

Good morning, everyone! I just finished processing more memberships and wanted to remind everyone that if you want to become a Founding Member you have until June 30, 2009 to do so. We are happy to work with you on payments, if that would be helpful.

We are really excited as the first disk is almost ready for board review. Then we will need to work out lots of details. Special thanks need to go to Bill Cross (doc44), VP of the SWHF. Bill has been covering all the bases with Ray down these last few months. He has done an excellent job of keeping things moving!

We will have demos at the annual SWCA meeting in Troy in June!

So exciting!!

Thanks.

Ray & Sheryl
email: [email protected] if you need any info!

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SWHF

Ray,
Would a founding member also be a life member as the two membership amounts are the same?

What kind of monthly installments am I looking at??
email is in profile if you want to keep it off the board

BTW my volunteer services are available if you need a hand

The Founding Member IS a life membership. The distinction is that you would be one of the first to support the Foundation. The Founding Membership is only available until the end of June and will always show that you were one of the first to believe in the project.

We have been very easy on the installments. If you send us $100 before June 30th along with a letter saying that your intent is to be a Founding Member, you will reserve that membership type forever. Then you can make payments as works with your schedule.

Many thanks, Curtis.

Sheryl & Ray

6-8-09 edited to clean up text corrupted in the move ONLY. Lee J

__________________
SWHF

"The check is in the mail"

No really, I mailed it today and you should to, if you have not already.

__________________
Dave

Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

Guys, if you have emailed Ray or I at skc102@@@hotmail.com (only one @ when you email me), I'm sorry I haven't replied. Have had some family illness that we are attending to. We would, however, love to have you as a Foundation Member. Remember, Founding Member is only available until the end of June 2009. Payments are available for the $1000 membership fee--you name the terms :-) . Regular memberships are $100. I will try and respond to any emails over the weekend.

They had some awesome demostrations of the software and what has been scanned already at the annual SWCA show. Maybe Doc44 (Bill) can add some info on it if he has time.

Thanks all.

Sheryl & Ray

Sheryl & Ray...The digitization and indexing project is progressing well with 75 boxes of the approximately 150 to be completed in a month or so. Paul Connolly, AMS Imaging, who is doing the digitizing and indexing estimates a completion date of November of this year for the period, 1935-1941. Mr. Connolly also obtained from Roy Jinks a roll of microfilm and he can now workup a project description and cost estimate for digitizing Mr. Jink's shipping records.

In anticipation of completing the project, I have asked Joe Carvalho and Guy McClain of the Conn. Valley Historical Museum to begin thinking about how S&WHF letters will be isssued and a cost structure for them.

The demonstration at the S&WCA meeting went well and was well received. Dave Ballantyne continued the demonstration on Friday and Saturday of last week after Paul Connolly returned to Boston.

Several new Founding members were signed up at the S&WCA meeting and two more commitments have been made to become Founding members before the end of June. A regular member was signed up and a donation made by a current member.

Bill

Well had planned on getting in under the wire, but realized last week I had run out of checks. Most of my bills I pay are auto withdrawal or via the internet, and didnt realize that the box of checks I had been writing on for 5 years was about gone. Hopefully the new ones will arrive in enough time I can still get in on the Founders option as this is an endeavor we should all be involved in.

I joined at the annual in Troy, as a Founding Member. Do I receive a membership card or any kind of acknowledgement?

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Don Mundell

Don...Sheryl is behind on processing memberships because of Ray's illness. You will receive a membership card and a letter of acknowledgement (and for tax purposes).

Bill

Bill,
I understand. It's a shame about Ray. My he rest in peace. Cancer has played a large part of my life.

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Don Mundell

In the wee hours today, July 24, Ray Cheely succumbed to his battle with cancer.

Ray was a gentleman and a scholar in the truest sense. His love for fine S&W's and his knowledge of them were well known in the collector fraternity.

His vision and and foresight in establishing the S&W Historical Foundation leaves a legacy that future generations of S&W collectors and scholars yet unborn will benefit greatly from.

He will be sorely missed.
Our sincere condolences to Sheryl and all the family.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Being a newbie I didnt realize he was sick until I talked to Bill the other night.

RIP Ray you were one of the good ones.

I put my check for membership in the mail today.

I encourage all those who have a lettered gun or think they will want to letter a gun in the future to join. Here's a chance for you to help maintain the history we all love.

__________________
Barry, youngest son of Claud

Sheryl sent me this memorial flyer for Ray.

CLICK the Link:


http://smith-wessonforum.com/Remembering_Ray.pdf

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

My check is in the mail. R. I. P. Ray.

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Festina lente - A. Caesar

Hi, guys, just to let you know that I will be getting to the letters and membership cards within the next week. Sorry for the delay but it has been pretty rough. Thanks for all the cards, calls and emails. Ray will be very missed by so many of you, but will live on thru the Foundation that he created for the preservation of the S&W records. Thank you.

Sheryl

Could someone re-send the info. This totally skipped my mind awhile back. Thanks.

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Just another brick in the wall

Requests for membership should be mailed to:
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
PO Box 24
Great Bend, KS. 67530

Membership is $100
Life Membership is $1000
Benefactor is $10,000

I will be changing the address in the near future as this was Ray's office PO box.

I'm sure that some of you have questions on whether this Foundation will continue without Ray's guidance.

The answer is very simply, YES.

This was very, very important to both of us. Bill Cross has been taking the reins this last year. I hope to be able to help more and we will be taking on another board member soon. The only thing that we need is additional contributions/members. We all knew upfront that it was a long, expensive endeavor that would help preserve the history and the knowledge, not only for current collectors, but the collectors of the future and their grandkids.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or Bill Cross or any of the other board members. Remember, this is a work in progress and we may not aways have all the answers, but we will get one!

Thanks.

Sheryl

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SWHF

10-23-09
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Update

The first phase of records, from 1935 to 1941 is nearing completion. Hopefully, in early 2010 we will be able to offer Historical Letters. Details are still being worked out and we will let everyone know as soon as we have all the details worked out.

I’m excited to announce a new member of our Board of Directors. Dave Ballantyne (merlindrb) has graciously agreed to serve, effective immediately on the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Board. Dave is one of the first Benefactor members of the SWHF. He also is a Life Member of the Smith & Wesson Collector’s Association and a Benefactor member of the NRA. He is a well respected collector with his primary interests in Smith & Wesson pre-war magnums and K-32 revolvers.

I would also like to thank everyone for their memorial donations for my husband, Ray A. Cheely. The Foundation was enhanced by over $10,000 in his memory. This is what he would have wanted—the preservation of the historical records was extremely important to him.

Stay tuned for more updates!

If you would like information on becoming a member of the Foundation it can be found under the S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 tab or email me at [email protected], and I will be happy to send you a brochure.

Thanks!

Sheryl Cheely
SWCA Life Member #1185
SWHF Benefactor
NRA Benefactor

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SWHF

Sheryl,
That is great news all around. I am excited to see this coming to fruition.
Dave will be a real asset to the foundation.
I'll see you in Tulsa.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Hello, everyone. Just a quick note to let you all know that I processed a batch of memberships and requests for info this evening. I was excited to see the continued interest. Bill Cross and Dave Ballantyne and I are meeting to get updates and ideas at the Tulsa show this weekend. Hopefully will have some more info for you after the show!

In the meantime, I have changed the address for the Foundation to
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
4912 Quail Creek Dr.
Great Bend, KS 67530
620-793-5841

Thanks.

If anyone has questions, feel free to contact me!

Sheryl

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SWHF

I would like to join the Historical Foundation, but right now I have 3 son’s in College, the oldest just about to graduate Law School after 7 years of total schooling.
I don’t drive a 15 year old van with 315,000 miles on it out of choice.
I hope to join eventually when 1 or more of them get out.
I think what you are doing is great for S&W collectors.

Membership request going in the mailbox tomorrow.

Thanks for all you are doing!!!!!!

The membership on the website says $100, is that $100 a year or $100 a month, someone told me it is $100 a month, is that true?

Per the S&WHF website,

" Please note, all memberships are for life, there are no annual fees."

OMG, I thought it was monthly! That is what someone told me!

I will get an application out right away!

I feel like Hoss rather than Ben!

I have already received valuable information on my .38 HE from the Philly PD from the foundation. An exceptional organization that deserves your support.

I was just trying to find information about this group. I am interested in becoming a member. Do you have a webpage up yet? Thanks, and good luck on this worthwhile undertaking.

My great, great grandfather was a special Forces Texas Rangers and it has been a great help that the Texas Rangers Museum and Historical Foundation was able to give me information about the firearm he used so that I could find a replica for my son for Christmas. These records are important.

__________________
Texas Rangers Family

Here it is-
Sticky: SWHF Website

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Quite a few years ago, I got a Manufacture date + the person that bought it - a #2 HE .44 Spl w/ 6.5" barrel and adjustable rear sight. My Dad bought it ( I believe) from the original purchasers widow, and it was "handed down" to me. I have lost that piece of paper and would like to know if I can get a "reprint" or whatever, to pass it on to my granddaughter. She shoots AND has an old photo of Dad with "Smitty" in a cross-draw holster, his '03-A3 slung over his shoulder and a 4 x 4 Mule Deer in front of him. Also is a picture of me on my horse, Western holster w/ "Smitty, an SMLE slung over my shoulder, and a 3 x 4 mule deer behind me, tied down behind the saddle. We hope to add a picture of her in the near future after she gets her Hunters Safety Class. Question is, if I send the serial numbers (2), could I get a manufacture date and the man in Sacramento, CA that bought this handgun, for her. I can send pictures of the gun if needed.

tinkerunique...I sent you a private message to help with your request.

Bill

What is the searchable year range that is available now?

1930-1941...soon to be expanded to 1927.

Bill

Thank you sir.

Sheryl, My membership donation is on the way. Thank you. Sal

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Sheryl, Sent a check out yesterday. Hope all is well.

__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I sent my membership donation awhile back. Ken contacted me yesterday. He advised the new and correct address to send membership donation is:

SWHF
PO Box 1494
Great Bend, KS 67530


Ken explained that while they still get mail from the old address, any communication sent to the old PO box is delayed.

__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I send my check last week...they already found 6 new documents on my Registered Magnums.....LTC Mark Rendina

Regarding the searchable years, are there any plans to go forward date-wise at some point?

Phase II of the records preservation project will start with post-WW II invoices and move forward. This phase should begin in the first quarter of 2016. The post-war records are only invoices with no correspondence.

Bill

Will the years prior to 1927 be covered at some point?

Regards

AlanD
Sydney

Alan...We should have the records to 1920 completed sometime in the first quarter 2016. This will complete all of the correspondence, invoices, etc. kept in boxes at the Museum of Springfield History. Phase II will begin after that and will focus on the invoices from 1946 to 1948.

Bill Cross

Thanks Bill

I assume that the years of '42, '43, '44 and '45 are not being copied as there was very little going on other than military contracts?

Regards

Alan David
Sydney

Alan...You are correct.

Bill

Need to have two S&W pistols authenticated. Found form on the Internet for mailing $75 to Mr. Roy Jinks but don't know if the form is current or if Mr. Jinks is still in business. Can you verify please?

Thank you.

The info you found is correct and Mr. Jinks is very much still in business.

David

Thank you.

I sent my check off about a week ago. I'm excited to be a part of this and can hardly wait to get my card. Did I notice an older message about "badges". Are there any left or are there more being made?

Badges can be ordered from Sheryl Cheely. You should contact her after you receive your membership information.

Bill Cross