1952....
My first one was by total accident. In 1980 had bought my first Colt SUPER .38 and mentioned it to a co-worker. He said he had a Super also... His dad had been a court bailiff up in the Texas panhandle and after a trial the judge took the gun away from the defendant and my co-workers farther was given it...(this was back in the 1950-60s). My friend had no use for so did I want it...turned out to be a Colt Commander. Started carrying the gun on/off duty and shot in some IPSC matches. Not sure when I found out it was made in 1952 but carried that gun daily till 2007...
In 2005 a friend bought a 1952 Commander in .38 Super at a gun show and decided not to have it customized...did I want it... Bought the gun and took it to Jojo's in Connecticut. Jody Joseph worked his magic on it right down to Accurate Plating full hard chrome and night sights. Started carrying that gun in 2007 and still carry it daily...
A few years back made a comment about someone's recent purchase of a 1955 pre-27 5"...."Looking for one just like that but a little older"...that's it. A few days later I get a PM from another member here asking if I would like a 6.5" pre-27 made in 1952.... Turns out it was a 6" but not being a 5" was going to turn it down until he sent "I have a S&W letter stating the gun was shipped on May 21st, 1952"....my next question was "How much is the shipping"...as that was the day I was born about 40 miles south of the factory. It had been shipped to the George Lawrence Holster Company in Portland, Or. A couple years later found a new in the package George Lawrence #120 Keith holster correctly marked for the S&W .357 6", not the more common 6.5"...
Had a pair of .22s, both 1951, a 4" Combat Masterpiece and 6" K22 Target Masterpiece. A friend had a 1952 Target Masterpiece in the same condition that he was going to sell so we traded guns...
Got the hots for a Heavy Duty and found one for a good price on GunBroker that was a 1952. Had very little bluing wear and the internals were like brand new...has a 4" barrel which I prefer. Have been wanting an Outdoorsman made in 52 but just haven't found the right one at the right price yet..
...and last, a friend working at a gun shop called and said they had taken in a box stock 1952 Colt SUPER .38...even had the original plastic grips that usually crack...was priced right so it lives here also...
...Ben
...Ben
