Have a S&W 209 "N" frame 37mm launcher, looking for info!!
- Thread starter richdana
- Start date
jimmyjoe
Member
I never seen one of those. Where did you find that?
Rugskipper
Member
What a great first post! Welcome to the forum. I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to the worth of that piece, since I've never seen one but in a couple of old pictures. I'm betting that you will soon have some PM's with offers to buy, though. That would be an interesting addition to anyone's N frame collection.
"N" Frame 37mm
This launcher came in to our shop off the street from a gentleman who bought it for his father many years ago, and never had the chance to give it to him. We have seen the rifle version, and heard of one going for around $900.00, but nobody has a real idea of what it is worth....so anyone with input is more than welcome!
This launcher came in to our shop off the street from a gentleman who bought it for his father many years ago, and never had the chance to give it to him. We have seen the rifle version, and heard of one going for around $900.00, but nobody has a real idea of what it is worth....so anyone with input is more than welcome!
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2005
- Messages
- 26,032
- Reaction score
- 48,381
I think you'll get more data here, so I moved it.
I've seen them priced all over the charts.
I've passed on them in recent years when my money was tight at 650-700 because not a lot of people want one.
In years past, I've seen them move at 750-850.
The trouble with some ultra-rare items is that buyers are even rarer.
Start at 800-1000 and see what happens.
I've seen them priced all over the charts.
I've passed on them in recent years when my money was tight at 650-700 because not a lot of people want one.
In years past, I've seen them move at 750-850.
The trouble with some ultra-rare items is that buyers are even rarer.
Start at 800-1000 and see what happens.
opoefc
US Veteran
If your gun has a serial number, you can always order a factory historical letter for it to see when & where it was shipped. Lee is correct on what these will sell for. Being NIB helps a lot. The S&W Police Riot Equipment catalogs show these guns, with prices, decriptions and the many accessoried that came with it, plus the various ammo. cartridges offered by S&W. Dummy display cartridges are available from cartridge dealers. These were offered in both the shoulder stocked version as well as the type you have.
An interesting tidbit concerns the famous Waco disaster at the compound where the ATF burned to death a number of men,women and children on the orders of Janet Reno. The talking heads on TV were interviewing the ATF PR people who were saying that the fire was set by the inhabitants, not the ATF's firing of these 37mm rounds into the buildings, as "no flamable ammo" was used. Video of the event clearly shows empty S&W 37mm teargas casings lying on the ground after they were fired. The casings have a warning on them " Danger- Flamable - Do Not fire into bldgs" Ed.
An interesting tidbit concerns the famous Waco disaster at the compound where the ATF burned to death a number of men,women and children on the orders of Janet Reno. The talking heads on TV were interviewing the ATF PR people who were saying that the fire was set by the inhabitants, not the ATF's firing of these 37mm rounds into the buildings, as "no flamable ammo" was used. Video of the event clearly shows empty S&W 37mm teargas casings lying on the ground after they were fired. The casings have a warning on them " Danger- Flamable - Do Not fire into bldgs" Ed.
Last edited:
Masterpiece
Member
Richdana,
Here's a suggestion for you to think about!! If you're into this pretty right & want to put a few more dollars into it you might try contacting the Company Historian(Roy Jinks) & see if he'll Letter it for you!! He may also have access to production numbers!! These were built by the S&W Chemical Div. in Ohio & issued a Serial Number just like their Revolvers so I think he'd do it for you!! He'll Letter almost anything that is Serial Numbered!! I know a few people in the past that have had things Lettered like Knives,Boxes,Etc. so what would it hurt to ask him!! If he will I'm sure it would raise the value if you decide to let it go later!! Just something to think about!!
Here's a suggestion for you to think about!! If you're into this pretty right & want to put a few more dollars into it you might try contacting the Company Historian(Roy Jinks) & see if he'll Letter it for you!! He may also have access to production numbers!! These were built by the S&W Chemical Div. in Ohio & issued a Serial Number just like their Revolvers so I think he'd do it for you!! He'll Letter almost anything that is Serial Numbered!! I know a few people in the past that have had things Lettered like Knives,Boxes,Etc. so what would it hurt to ask him!! If he will I'm sure it would raise the value if you decide to let it go later!! Just something to think about!!
Masterpiece
Member
opofec,
Alright Ed,do you have some sort of Crystal Ball out there where you read my mind???? You beat me to the punch again by minutes!! Ha!Ha! You knew I don't type very fast didn't you!!
Alright Ed,do you have some sort of Crystal Ball out there where you read my mind???? You beat me to the punch again by minutes!! Ha!Ha! You knew I don't type very fast didn't you!!
There was a post about a month ago with the same item (I think). It was a flare gun? Let me see if I can find it and link for you.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/203594-1-50-caliber-n-frame.html
Looks like the pictures are gone, darn it. The thing looked like it had been blued like they used to do the revolvers - it reflected light like a mirror. It was beautiful.
Last edited:
S&W Flare , Gas Pistol
Thanks to every one out there for their info , and getting a letter for it I will absolutly do!!! This pistol is Parkerised , not Blued , and has a serial number so I will work on getting a letter . I dont think it is in the picture , but it comes with a white hard plastic insert for 12 GA flares .I am not that well armed with a computer so this takes awhile for me.
Thanks to every one out there for their info , and getting a letter for it I will absolutly do!!! This pistol is Parkerised , not Blued , and has a serial number so I will work on getting a letter . I dont think it is in the picture , but it comes with a white hard plastic insert for 12 GA flares .I am not that well armed with a computer so this takes awhile for me.
I've never seen a pistol version in real life, but they were advertised in police suppy catalogs during the 1960's and early 70's for tear gas and bean bag riot suppression. Interesting piece! There is 37mm ammunition available, flares and other specialty rounds. That would literally be a kick to shoot!
Masterpiece
Member
Leave It Alone!!!
The Parkerized Finish is the "Original" Finish!! Having it Blued would destroy any of it's value!! Leave it As-Is!! Please!!!
richdana,
The Parkerized Finish is the "Original" Finish!! Having it Blued would destroy any of it's value!! Leave it As-Is!! Please!!!
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I have the longer barreled model, but someone in the past removed the wood shoulder stock and put a set of standard target stocks on it, no doubt to increase handiness.
I would really like to find another shoulder stock.
I would really like to find another shoulder stock.
Honeydofarm
Member
Hello, I have the same 37mm flare pistol as you. I do not Have the box or other contents, but I'm sure mine is new/unfired. I have owned mine since 1975, bought it at the Ft Worth gun show. Mine is parkerized also. Wonderful conversation piece. I will be selling mine in the classifieds in a few months. Yours is very nice.
Thanks
Warren
Thanks
Warren
Mike McLellan
Member
An awesome conceal carry gun.
I find this to be very interesting as I just came upon a shipping crate the other day in my shop that I found at a garage sale several years ago. It's a wooden crate marked in stencil;
BA 3338
GRENADES, TEAR GAS
HANDLE CAREFULLY
KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE
The S&W shipping label is addressed to:
INDIANA STATE POL QUARTERS
8500 E 21ST STREET
INDIANAPOLIS, IN.
Label states:
SMITH&WESSON
Chemical Company
P.O. Box 208, 2399 Foreman Road
Rock Creek, Ohio 44084
Dedicated to the Preservation of Human Life on Land, Sea and in the Air
Kind of curious as to whether this was for actual gas grenades or 37MM grenades for launcher?
Any thoughts?
BA 3338
GRENADES, TEAR GAS
HANDLE CAREFULLY
KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE
The S&W shipping label is addressed to:
INDIANA STATE POL QUARTERS
8500 E 21ST STREET
INDIANAPOLIS, IN.
Label states:
SMITH&WESSON
Chemical Company
P.O. Box 208, 2399 Foreman Road
Rock Creek, Ohio 44084
Dedicated to the Preservation of Human Life on Land, Sea and in the Air
Kind of curious as to whether this was for actual gas grenades or 37MM grenades for launcher?
Any thoughts?
Last edited:
Check that out! Now how cool is that? Totally impractical, but a real "must have" for the S&W collector. Did it come with a holster?
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Here ya go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got these about a year ago...believe it or not from three different sources in a period of about two months..The pistol w/ holster from a friend, the rifle off an internet auction and the ammo can off e-bay...
The frames are almost identical... N-frames, with the same design of top latch as the earlier top breaks..only much stouter..... The pistol takes std., N- frame grips..The shoulder stock is unique...
The pistol:
Marked 1-1/2" gas / flare pistol, mfg'd by S&W Chemical Co.,in Rock Creek, OH. 44084,USA..
The "rifle":
Marked 37mm gas gun, mfg'd by S&W Chemical Co.,Jefferson ,OH.44047, USA...
The holster:
No makers mark, probably handmade, holds gas pistol and 3- rounds of 37mm / 1-1/2" stuff...
The ammo can:
Standard military..just repainted (?) and stenciled for content...
OBTW...... I checked with BATFE Regs. since these are smoothbore and less than 18"..So could be a short barreled shotgun.. It is considered a flare gun and NOT a firearm... If you have ammo for it it is considered a "destructive device" and must be on the BATFE books... I have no ammo, but am curious as to whether fireworks / flares are considered "ammo"since these things will launch teargas and anti-personnel devices???
Hope this helps a bit..
JIM.............
I got these about a year ago...believe it or not from three different sources in a period of about two months..The pistol w/ holster from a friend, the rifle off an internet auction and the ammo can off e-bay...
The frames are almost identical... N-frames, with the same design of top latch as the earlier top breaks..only much stouter..... The pistol takes std., N- frame grips..The shoulder stock is unique...
The pistol:
Marked 1-1/2" gas / flare pistol, mfg'd by S&W Chemical Co.,in Rock Creek, OH. 44084,USA..
The "rifle":
Marked 37mm gas gun, mfg'd by S&W Chemical Co.,Jefferson ,OH.44047, USA...
The holster:
No makers mark, probably handmade, holds gas pistol and 3- rounds of 37mm / 1-1/2" stuff...
The ammo can:
Standard military..just repainted (?) and stenciled for content...
OBTW...... I checked with BATFE Regs. since these are smoothbore and less than 18"..So could be a short barreled shotgun.. It is considered a flare gun and NOT a firearm... If you have ammo for it it is considered a "destructive device" and must be on the BATFE books... I have no ammo, but am curious as to whether fireworks / flares are considered "ammo"since these things will launch teargas and anti-personnel devices???
Hope this helps a bit..
JIM.............
