1890s catalog

[Aussie Collector]

G'day,
There is a catalog on "sportingcollectables" web site which I have never seen before. This is the only place I have seen this catalog.
It is listed as 1890s. The front cover looks either aged ivory or pink with black writing. There is a large blank border around central square artwork "Smith & Wesson Springfield. Mass USA" in the top left corner taking up maybe 25% the rest is scroll work like you would see engraved on a gun.
The only question I have is what year is this catalog from?
Cheers

 

[Club Gun Fan]

There were two with this cover. The one for sale was published in 1891.
the other one is 6 7/8" x 9 3/4" and was published in 1889.

 

[Masterpiece]

Aussie,

Those Two Catalogs are also sometimes more commonly referred to as as the "Safety Hammerless" Catalogs!! Both of these are rarely seen & "Very" hard to come by!!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Aussie,

Those Two Catalogs are also sometimes more commonly referred to as as the "Safety Hammerless" Catalogs!! Both of these are rarely seen & "Very" hard to come by!!

Really?
I'm not questioning you, it's just that I never heard that before.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Thanks for the replies.
Don, the 1889 one you mention I presume is the 47 page catalog mentioned in Neal & Jinks book (S&W 1857-1945)?

If someone mentioned "the safety hammerless catalog" I would think immediately of the 1892 catalog, but that's just me.

On another note, I first spotted this catalog early June, who knows how long its been listed for sale before then. This tells me either there is not too many catalog collectors that want it, or it's over priced.
Cheers.

 

[Masterpiece]

I'm not questioning you, it's just that I never heard that before.

Don,

I'm really surprised to hear that you've never heard of them referred to them that way as much as you're into Early S&W Catalogs!!

 

[Masterpiece]

This tells me either there is not too many catalog collectors that want it, or it's over priced.

Aussie,

I'm not sure how much they're asking, but I'm sure it's considerable beings they're near impossible to find anymore!! Also, if memory serves, I believe some time back I saw one sell on eBay for give or take around $500, but don't hold me to that as I can't remember the exact price so I may be a bit off!!

 

[Aussie Collector]

This catalog is $800 and has a dirty stain on the cover, I myself would never be interested at the condition & price.

I think $500 sounds reasonable, for one in good condition considering the age and availability.
It makes it expensive to collect all 20 odd pre1900 catalogs though.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Aussie,

Those Two Catalogs are also sometimes more commonly referred to as as the "Safety Hammerless" Catalogs!! Both of these are rarely seen & "Very" hard to come by!!

The one I've always thought of is the one with the embossed Safety Hammerless on the cover. the one Aussie Collector is asking about is the one with the modern art like S&W logo on the cover.

 

[Masterpiece]

The one I've always thought of is the one with the embossed Safety Hammerless on the cover. the one Aussie Collector is asking about is the one with the modern art like S&W logo on the cover.

Hi Don,

Sorry for the mistaken identity!! I was pretty sure you'd have heard of the ones I was describing as being the Safety Hammerless Catalogs!!

The only ones that I remembered "Sporting Collectibles" having for sale for quite some time were the Two "Safety" Catalogs they have listed in the S&W Catalog Collection they are trying to sell as a whole!! When I checked their actual Web Page I saw the one you're referring to & you're correct as usual!! Also, after seeing it again, I realized they were the ones who grabbed that particular Catalog on eBay a short time ago although I can't remember what the final price was!! Guess I should have paid more attention because I've never owned that one & thought it was going to sell for much more than it did!! If memory serves, I believe they paid a reasonable price, but of course no where near the $700 they're asking!!