|
|
08-24-2011, 11:07 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MN
Posts: 984
Likes: 41
Liked 2,199 Times in 416 Posts
|
|
Smith & Wesson Belt Buckle Photos
Last edited by ko41; 01-08-2021 at 12:46 PM.
Reason: sorted, added info, work in progress
|
The Following 43 Users Like Post:
|
BOMBTEC, Breakaway500, captaint, cgn71, ChillyDog, Crabtree, Dennis, diegobxr, DRYHEAT, Engine49guy, fdover, Frank46, growr, Himhawkeye, huthike, J. B. Books, jculloden, JH1951, jrm53, jughed440, Lee Barner, les.b, lrad, lscocoa, martyg2020, opoefc, Papabear1324, Rad29, retiredbadge8091, RKmesa, snake803, Sportsterguy, squidsix, steamloco76, steve a., SWTIM255, Texas Star, timn8er, tug700, usm1rifle, wetdog, xray97, YeshuaIsa53 |
08-24-2011, 09:44 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northwest Ohio
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 6,006
Liked 2,713 Times in 1,041 Posts
|
|
Smith and Wesson Buckles
Very Impressive collection. Excellent pictures. This was a big help to me as I came into some of these and am having difficult time researching them. Am seeing various price ranges. Hard to find "fair" values for these. Also difficult to determine which are the really "rare" ones. Thank you very much for an excellent thread...
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-25-2011, 02:59 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,602
Likes: 737
Liked 1,212 Times in 741 Posts
|
|
very nice...thanks!
__________________
SWCA#2208
KK4EMO
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-25-2011, 03:32 PM
|
US Veteran SWCA Founding Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 8,348
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
|
|
ko41, Nice starter collection! If you can find one somewhere, don't pass up the chance to buy a copy of Pete Robert's paper back book " Some of the Buckles of Smith & Wesson" It was printed about 10 yrs ago and covers all the buckle info. up to then. Ebay is probably the best place to see buckles for sale. Prices are all over the board, as most sellers haven't a clue as to what the fair value is for a buckle. Really rare ones seldom show up there, however when they do the high bids can be in 3 figures quickly. What serious collectors are bidding is a good clue as to value on these. Be aware many of the buckles are Chinese ripoffs, never authorized by S&W. Appearance of the S&W logo on a buckle is no guarantee of authorization. Ebay sellers also confuse the Bergamot Foundry logo with S&W's logo and post a Colt buckle on Ebay as a S&W buckle! Bergamot is a licensed S&W buckle producer, but be sure the back of a Bergamot buckle says it's a S&W licensed product, if you want to add it to your collection as a genuine S&W licensed buckle. There are also numerous combinations of knife/buckle sets by S&W ,that can add another element to your collections and some of them are quite difficult to find. Good Luck, Ed.
Last edited by opoefc; 11-05-2012 at 01:31 AM.
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-28-2011, 10:18 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central VA
Posts: 8,708
Likes: 1,597
Liked 9,516 Times in 4,264 Posts
|
|
I recently came into possession of a so-called "Pistol Case" buckle, but it seems to be silver plated with the revolver plated in gold. How rare is this and does it attract much of a premium? I'm new to this, having previously only owned the rather common S&W buckle that was made to look like the .357 cylinder. I've now found the box and it does indeed say it is a limited edition version with Rhodium Plating and Gold Trim (just the gun and the outer ring around the buckle.) The field of the buckle face has a sort of frosted appearance almost like a proof coin, while the gold plate is quite smooth and glossy. The buckle is still in the blue cardboard LSR box with celluloid top and appears to be unworn/unused.
TIA ~ Froggie
Last edited by Green Frog; 08-30-2011 at 12:23 PM.
Reason: additions and corrections to description.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-10-2012, 04:22 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Beautiful eastern Oregon
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
|
|
Very nice collection. Some I have not seen in a long time and some never.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-14-2012, 08:20 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Douglasville,Georgia
Posts: 826
Likes: 517
Liked 303 Times in 132 Posts
|
|
You have an excellent collection. Personally, I think you should do a chapter on the buckles and see if you can get it put into the next SCSW book! Some of those buckles I saw for the first time is in this thread.
__________________
2 Timothy 1:7
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-15-2012, 10:36 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 54
Liked 1,140 Times in 364 Posts
|
|
Nice display.
Looks like you've been collecting for years.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-20-2012, 07:43 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central VA
Posts: 8,708
Likes: 1,597
Liked 9,516 Times in 4,264 Posts
|
|
... still wondering about the Rhodium with Gold Trim Special Editions... are they "all that special" in general or does it vary a great deal by pattern? How many different patterns received this treatment? The Pistol Case example in my possession is unworn and came from the estate of a friend, so it is likely to stay that way, stored with my old First Model Second Issue revolver. I would like to get some idea of its rarity and value, though.
TIA ~ Froggie
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-20-2012, 07:59 AM
|
|
Administrator
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 3,509
Liked 3,973 Times in 600 Posts
|
|
I can't speak to "real" value or rarity, but these folks have one for sale for $65.
GPONV: Smith & Wesson Collectables
They also have a 1984 Olympic Commemorative Pistol Pin that I purchased at a gun show for $5 listed at $50.
__________________
Dave
Last edited by 45Wheelgun; 02-20-2012 at 08:02 AM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-16-2012, 03:55 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posts: 313
Likes: 42
Liked 43 Times in 21 Posts
|
|
Very nice; thanks for sharing. I have but one; the buckle with the Bear and man with revolver. Should be name "Too close for comfort">
|
03-18-2012, 01:34 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
Liked 18 Times in 8 Posts
|
|
Mine have already been pictured. Now I know which ones I need to seek out.
__________________
Joshua Brown(Town)
|
05-30-2012, 01:25 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: E. Washington State
Posts: 5,537
Likes: 1,342
Liked 10,680 Times in 3,267 Posts
|
|
I only have 4 of the ones you posted, but I wear mine, so not in A+ shape.
People do notice the "S&W".
Last edited by STCM(SW); 05-30-2012 at 01:26 AM.
Reason: Correted
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-30-2012, 07:31 PM
|
US Veteran SWCA Founding Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 8,348
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
|
|
Be aware that not all of the buckles pictured here in this thread are genuine S&W authorized buckles. There are far more unauthorized copies or rip offs on Ebay everyday, than are original S&W buckles. Of course, collecting non S&W buckles is a lot cheaper than many of the S&W buckles, and I'm not putting down a collector who wants to have a specimen of every buckle he can buy that says "S&W" on it. Ed.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-14-2012, 08:32 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 414
Likes: 408
Liked 706 Times in 176 Posts
|
|
Very nice collection
I have a question on buckles. I picked 2 buckles recently that came in the blue two piece cardboard boxes. How much would the blue boxes add to the value of the buckles? The brochures are missing from both. How much would that hurt the value?
I am not sure if I will keep these or sell them. I do not have room to start another collection, but one of these is pictured above ( 1852 to 1977 anniversary) and I really like the looks of it. Thanks. Jim
Last edited by j a; 10-14-2012 at 09:55 AM.
Reason: wrong info
|
10-14-2012, 03:32 PM
|
US Veteran SWCA Founding Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 8,348
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
|
|
j a, For the S&WCA meeting this year in Boise, Id., I took about 150 various S&W authorized and factory buckles and put the following prices on most of them - (For the more common buckles, all NIB) Buckle in orig. cardboard 2 pc. box, with papers $35, Same w/o papers, $30, In 2 pc cardboard & clear plastic lid, with papers $25, buckles w/o box or papers $15. For the uncommon buckles, add about 50%. I sold about 75% of them. Non-authorized buckles sold for $5 -$10, depending on quality. Special edition S&W buckles, like the Academy buckles and commorative or sterling silver/gold plated buckles are a niche situation and can bring several 100 dollars. This may give you some idea of what S&W collectors will pay for nice buckles. Ebay prices are all over the board, and occasionally bargains can be picked up, but the buckles there are mostly ripoffs from China, etc. Ed.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-14-2012, 03:46 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 414
Likes: 408
Liked 706 Times in 176 Posts
|
|
Buckle info
Thanks Ed.
|
10-18-2012, 05:56 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Plantation Florida
Posts: 450
Likes: 102
Liked 414 Times in 86 Posts
|
|
Someone has nice collections! I hate to see there gun collections, I'm jealous.
__________________
USAF/RET. 1966-1990
|
10-19-2012, 05:16 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 79
Likes: 138
Liked 221 Times in 51 Posts
|
|
I worked for S&W as the manager of their Orlando Fl store for it short life, I was also a huge collector before my employment and thru my 2 years as territory sales manager in NC,VA and eastern TN. I have a couple buckles not shown here, I will try and get some pic's up for y'all soon
__________________
“Cogito, ergo sum armatus
|
11-04-2012, 07:06 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: in the Arkansas soybeans
Posts: 450
Likes: 98
Liked 476 Times in 139 Posts
|
|
Would like to share my everyday buckle. Nothing compared to the collection we seen.
__________________
SWCA #2601
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-02-2012, 10:11 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ask the NSA
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 111
Liked 119 Times in 73 Posts
|
|
WOW!
Sir,
Been a member since 05 and visited this portion after buying a ANIB gold, oval S&W belt buckle last weekend at the Hamptom, Va. gun show.
Your post was the first one so I opened it and am glad I did!
Your collection is beautiful and I am a bit envious! You definately have some sweet buckles there. Wish they made one with 41 magnum stamped into it, like your 44's and 357's. Do they make one with the .41 mag, my all time favorite round?
My buckle is exactly like the golden, oval one with the S&W logo that you have. I paid 55.00 for it in its original package. Did I pay too much?
The guy had many more designs, but that gold one hit me. After viewing your collection I am going to start buying one a month. Good to go on the revolvers so going to concentrate on these buckles for a new display case.
Thanks for turning me on to them and congrats on your fine collection!
Roger / Sportsterguy
__________________
V/R
Roger / SG
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-03-2012, 09:14 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MN
Posts: 984
Likes: 41
Liked 2,199 Times in 416 Posts
|
|
No .41 Mag buckles, as I've been know to hoard anything .41, I'd certainly have at least one of each if there were any .41 buckles.
As the saying goes, if you are happy with the deal then you didn't pay too much.
Thank you,
KO
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-17-2017, 10:36 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Western MA
Posts: 96
Likes: 49
Liked 80 Times in 38 Posts
|
|
Old thread but here are mine so far.
__________________
Know God Know Peace
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-17-2017, 10:43 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Whiskey Hill Ma.
Posts: 2,853
Likes: 16,474
Liked 9,340 Times in 2,020 Posts
|
|
Nice collection. Thanks for posting them!
__________________
My Daddy was a pistol..
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-17-2017, 10:51 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2015
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 104,950
Liked 22,296 Times in 4,529 Posts
|
|
I always forget to check the dates on these old threads until I have given people "likes" for posts made five years ago. They are probably saying to themselves "where has this guy been?"...
Anyway, nice thread, and some nice photography.
Best Regards, Les
__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064
|
03-18-2017, 10:17 AM
|
|
S&W Historian
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 3,411
Liked 11,378 Times in 2,915 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by beemerrider
Very nice; thanks for sharing. I have but one; the buckle with the Bear and man with revolver. Should be name "Too close for comfort">
|
That buckle was taken from the 1902 painting by Dan Smith "The Last Cartridge". Smith & Wesson got PC when they reproduced it in the 1980's copies when they removed the dead baby bear.
__________________
Don Mundell
Last edited by Club Gun Fan; 03-22-2017 at 09:25 AM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-20-2017, 12:54 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: pacnorwest
Posts: 138
Likes: 43
Liked 163 Times in 27 Posts
|
|
I have two or three of these belt buckles in the boxes from the 1970's. I was going to donate them to the Goodwill. Do they have any sort of value? I might have to trade them for something more interesting to me.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-20-2017, 06:41 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MN
Posts: 984
Likes: 41
Liked 2,199 Times in 416 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lonegunman762x51
I have two or three of these belt buckles in the boxes from the 1970's. I was going to donate them to the Goodwill. Do they have any sort of value? I might have to trade them for something more interesting to me.
|
See post 16 above, those values are still relevant today.
KO
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-22-2017, 10:03 AM
|
|
S&W Historian
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 3,411
Liked 11,378 Times in 2,915 Posts
|
|
This is a prototype buckle that Smith & Wesson did. It was done by DJ. You can see where he signed it.
__________________
Don Mundell
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-24-2017, 06:11 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,602
Likes: 737
Liked 1,212 Times in 741 Posts
|
|
really nice don!
__________________
SWCA#2208
KK4EMO
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-25-2017, 07:26 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Western MA
Posts: 96
Likes: 49
Liked 80 Times in 38 Posts
|
|
My newest acquisitions of S&W Belt Buckles.
The antique silver Brown bear model 681 from the American game series
And scrimshaw eagle buckle with matching first production run knife.
__________________
Know God Know Peace
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
01-08-2021, 12:48 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MN
Posts: 984
Likes: 41
Liked 2,199 Times in 416 Posts
|
|
New photo host for photos in first post.
KO
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
01-08-2021, 06:42 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Orlando
Posts: 33
Likes: 33
Liked 110 Times in 21 Posts
|
|
Thanks very much for replacing the "lost " pictures to Photobucket. Outstanding photography and terrific collection. I'm sure many will appreciate and enjoy your efforts.
Harry
|
01-08-2021, 07:21 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central VA
Posts: 8,708
Likes: 1,597
Liked 9,516 Times in 4,264 Posts
|
|
I never really figured out about the relative rarity of the silver/rhodium plated buckles with gold trim... only that they were special editions and some went over $100 in value. Can anyone be more specific, and especially tell which patterns received this special treatment? I guess I'll have to find the single representative I "inherited" and put it on display (or in a place of honor in the safe.)
Froggie
|
01-08-2021, 10:21 PM
|
US Veteran SWCA Founding Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 8,348
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
|
|
Green Frog, If I recall correctly, the original factory purchase price for the Gold/Rhodium Pistol Case buckle was $135.00. The gold part is very thin and it doesn't take long wearing the buckle until the gold is disapperaing from wear. It's the only S&W buckle that received the Gold/Rhodium treatment. Ed
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|