For those age 60 or under (Gen X or later generations…)

[MajorD]

Closing in on 60. I cycled through the tactical black phases of gun ownership multiple times and settled back to the classic for good. I do like classic colt SAA and have owned a bunch mostly 2nd/3rd gen, but a few firsts. I simply can’t afford to amass a collection of them anymore.
My favorite era of S&W is post WWII to late 70’s. They are getting awfully hard to find, even the common models are scarce in my area and expensive when I do find them. I was making the rounds to some local shops today on a rare weekday off, and manage to find a garden variety average condition model 64 HB- priced at $700! WTF!

 

[26betsam]

I'm 71 and got the old Smith collecting bug after having ocktails and going on GunBroker. Helps to not being married and being retired. Best part is the next morning, " WTF did I buy?"

 

[GaryR]

Do you have ANY interest in Smith & Wesson revolvers pre WWII (1941 or earlier)? Bonus points if pre-1899.

Let’s see where our hobby is headed. Please answer the attached poll.

Edit: Cannot see creating a poll here as an option, so please answer as one regularly does.

Just picked up a 4” 1905 second change so yes!

 

[Jeep 1]

What I see is most people collect more of what they grew up with then what grandfather grew up with, that’s basically what my collection is based on……the model 29 and all of it children!
And I also have a guy named Clint to blame.
Tom

 

[Valmet]

I’m 43 and my oldest S&W is an Aug 1944 shipped Victory Model that my grandfather returned from Europe with in Dec 1945. One of my grail guns is a 1940-41 mfg Second Model Outdoorsman (maybe someday)…

 

[Wingmaster]

I'm 60 and my main interest is post war hand ejectors.

Not to say, if I ran across a pre war gun I wouldn't buy it but my main focus is post war.

 

[larkworthy]

I am 52 and got the S&W bug a second time after a 20 year sabbatical. My first time around I was focused on revolvers from the 1930's to 1970's. I was convinced at that time that antique S&W's were odd and uninteresting. In the past two years the majority of my purchases have been S&W's from 1858 to 1920 with a few Victory's as well. I think the older Smith's are very interesting now and provide a new way to learn. The Model 2 Army and any Model 3 are difficult to beat in quality if you can find a mechanically sound example. I hope no one else shows interest in these old guns so I have a chance to buy some more!!!

 

[robvious]

older early Gen-X, 59 in a few days... I currently don't own any Smith and Wessons older that 1959... I might one day, but not in the current market... a registered magnum has definite appeal, but out of reach for me mentally... I just can't make the asking prices make sense.

 

[seattle fish guy]

I am 67 and the oldest firearm I own is a circa 1941 M1 and a 1943 Inlamd M1a. I like post war P&R revolvers. My oldest Smith is a pre-model 28 made in 1955 and 2nd Gen SAA from 1956. Most of my Smiths are 1960-1980 models I am not a collector as I shoot all my firearms.

 

[younggun22]

I’m 35 and Ive been a member here for over a decade and had my S&W interest sparked nearly 20 years ago.

I started with the 70’s era guns as they were the most prevalent and easy to find/ afford.

I quickly understood why the 5 screw guns commanded the premium that they do and began to per sue those.

I have bought and sold quite a few over the years but have grown my S&W accumulation from the modern to triple locks ( I’ve had 4 but down to 1)

I’ve observed that as the younger generation gets more exposure into the hobby and the sport, a good portion will understand the allure of the old stuff.

 

[glshuck]

29 y.o. probably have about a dozen Smith revolvers now, with about a dozen more that have come and gone. My interests in pre war guns at this moment are specific to a few models. Triple Lock, 38/44 OD, Reg Mag. I do not own a pre war gun yet. Not looking that hard at any other pre war models at the moment. I feel like there will be good examples at reasonable prices available over the next few years for most of the other pre war guns. Kind of figure I'll take a look at the pre war stuff once I've well bored myself of the post war guns. I would not shy away from a triple lock or 38/44 outdoorsman right now if a good deal fell in my lap but am not rushing to buy them.

For what it's worth, I sought out and bought a nickel 39-2 before I have purchased a pre war revolver. Not to say I don't appreciate what the pre war guns are, but most are not currently an attractive investment proposition to me. Atleast not in comparison to some of the other stuff I'm looking at.

 

[Major 2]

At My friendly LGS of choice I'm a regular, Owned by a retired LEO it is geared towards CCW and Modern Poly offerings and Black guns.
However ever so often something in my interest wheelhouse comes through the door, and I get a heads up.
I several occasions I've identified some of the obscure milsurps. Like a cool Modele 1892 Berthier Artillery Musketoon and bayonet, I am however well passed your age groups.

Older Smith's include and 1878 Russian, M1917, M&P in 32/20 circa 1926, an S Prefix M&P circa 1946, and a 1967 Model 15-2 Gov, purchase Border Service.

​

 

[CH4]

I am 60 - made boomer by a month. The only pre-war Smiths that interest me are RMs and non RMs, but not enough to pay the $$$$. I primarily look for Smiths made between 1950 and 1998.

 

[mrmike7189]

53 and I havent bought any guns in years. All mine are 1990's vintage ( I got my gun license in 1994.) The only WWII era gun that interests me would be a Browning hi-power 9x19.
Maybe someday if the price is right?

 

[Steelerbandit]

I'm 53 and I am interested in the old stuff very much. Unfortunately, it is hard to find and when you do some people want your 1st and 2nd born and maybe even an arm or leg thrown in for good measure. I go to local gun shows but they usually have modern stuff only. Gettysburg has a military show once or twice a year that you can find some pre-1900 S&W's, but the dealers like to overcharge. Collecting S&W's on a budget can be difficult and you really have to pick and choose between the guns you really want to buy.

 

[TheRedLep]

I'm 57 and I'm not really interested in pre WW2 guns as a collector. I do have an M1 carbine from 1943 that I love. I do also have the Springfield SA-35 high power clone. Also fun, but prefer my revolvers.

My collection is very small and I like to shoot them all. I love the feel of all steel S&W. I have a model 10 2" from 1966, a model 10 3" from 1982, a 2.5" ported 686 from 1989, a model 19 2.5" from 1974 and a model 60 from 1992. I carry the model 60 a lot. I will get others.

It is a very rare thing when I see another revolver shooter of any brand at my range.

My wife went through a conceal carry class at my range and they told her class to not even bother with a revolver because no one uses them anymore.

 

[lonestarlizard]

I don't think this is specific to pre-War S&Ws. The gun market has cooled somewhat, especially as reflected by the auction sites like GB.

To answer the question, I'm 58 and while I have several pre-War Smiths, they are not my main interest. I am primarily a shooter, not a collector though. I'm not interested in owning a gun I couldn't shoot because of its collector value. I prefer the post war 'short action' Smiths when it comes to shooting, so that is my primary interest.

In much of the US, finding nice S&W revolvers at a local gun shop has become a thing of the past. It still happens, but it's far more rare. When you think about it, even a 1980s gun is over 40 years old at this point, and the popular market has been completely taken over by plastic guns. Auction sites are where the market has gone, and the nature of those sites has driven prices up to the point where many 'collectible' guns are very expensive for the average shooter. People of my age group are likely the last that had personal experience with revolvers when they were still prime-time, and without that personal connection it's unusual to become an enthusiast.

IMHO, the collector revolver market is looking at a significant cooling in the near future, just as the muscle car/ hot rod market went nuts in the early 2000s, and has since fallen off.

Good points. Nice to see a post that doesn't put apostrophes in year decades and plurals.

 

[desi2358]

This thread was created in response to several of us noting that there has been a noticeable softening in the sales process achieved in the pre WWII segment of the market.

Not sure what you mean by a "softening in the sales process". In my area older S&W revolvers don't last long if they ever do show up in local gun shops. Not seeing any noticeable price reductions either. At the gun shows and in more than few gun shops sales of ALL guns (new or old) seem to have slowed down but I think that is more due to the effects of inflation and a slowly recovering economy. Many people have less money to spend on things like hobbies and collectibles. There is still a demand and those who have the funds are still buying. Perhaps you're looking at the effect of fewer people being able to afford spending the money on their hobby at this time?

 

[robertrwalsh]

I am really old so I guess my opinion is irrelevant.

 

[Steve_Revo_]

I'm 56 and I have a deep appreciation for the history of the older revolvers but I have no real interest in owning any since I don't consider myself to be a collector. The "new" guns may have some teething issues that need to be addressed but they run with modern ammo and I don't feel bad taking them to the range / match / using them hard.