brendonjames65
US Veteran
This really pertains to all eras of S&W revolvers but more specifically to the vintage revolvers, let's say pre 1988 and earlier. I have a confession: for an approximate 20 year period, I felt nothing but disdain and contempt for revolvers! Before you string me up and beat me like a piñata, please hear me out!
You see, I became a deputy sheriff when revolvers were on their way out as a police service weapon. I prayed at the alter of high capacity wonder nines, Sig Sauer, Glock, H&K, S&W 3rd gen. I lived and breathed tactics, advanced weaponry and I looked upon revolvers as an archaic tool of the past and useful only as a backup weapon.
I recall many a conversation with my brother, an avid vintage S&W revolver collector. So did you get another expensive paperweight? (He's always been more collector than shooter). Why don't you just get a Japanese replica since you don't shoot them? And of course his response: these are beautiful classic revolvers that can be shot but I choose not too! (In fairness, he does shoot some).
Over the years, as his collection grew, I compared him to Gollum and his "precious" revolvers that he keeps in his safes at his home office, ready to hand and always available to handle and admire! Of course, only to be carefully wiped down afterwards. For years he tried to convince me to start acquiring S&W revolvers, but mind you the half dozen classic S&W revolvers I obtained back then, he rapidly figured out a way to get them from me! He crows had he not got them from me, I would have traded them off long ago (he may be right).
Then fast forward to about 5 years ago, now a grizzled old patrol Lt., nearing retirement, and my visits to one of the pawnshops in the ghetto, yielded many beautiful classic S&W revolvers. It was as if a beam of radiating light showed me the way! The truth was revealed! Beautiful model 27's, 28's, outdoorsman's, heavy duties, 581's, M15 combat masterpiece's, etc.
S&W forum brethren, please forgive me! All I can say is it's better late than never to the game! Now I'm retired and a die hard collector of these beautiful revolvers that almost speak out to me and the countless enjoyable hours studying the history of them, quite enjoyable.
In full disclosure, my very first revolver was a Model 29-3 6" 44 mag given to me by dad when I was a young Marine corporal in 1986. Thank God I held onto it to this day. Of course, brother now teases me incessantly, always reminding me of my past sins, what are brothers for!
You see, I became a deputy sheriff when revolvers were on their way out as a police service weapon. I prayed at the alter of high capacity wonder nines, Sig Sauer, Glock, H&K, S&W 3rd gen. I lived and breathed tactics, advanced weaponry and I looked upon revolvers as an archaic tool of the past and useful only as a backup weapon.
I recall many a conversation with my brother, an avid vintage S&W revolver collector. So did you get another expensive paperweight? (He's always been more collector than shooter). Why don't you just get a Japanese replica since you don't shoot them? And of course his response: these are beautiful classic revolvers that can be shot but I choose not too! (In fairness, he does shoot some).
Over the years, as his collection grew, I compared him to Gollum and his "precious" revolvers that he keeps in his safes at his home office, ready to hand and always available to handle and admire! Of course, only to be carefully wiped down afterwards. For years he tried to convince me to start acquiring S&W revolvers, but mind you the half dozen classic S&W revolvers I obtained back then, he rapidly figured out a way to get them from me! He crows had he not got them from me, I would have traded them off long ago (he may be right).
Then fast forward to about 5 years ago, now a grizzled old patrol Lt., nearing retirement, and my visits to one of the pawnshops in the ghetto, yielded many beautiful classic S&W revolvers. It was as if a beam of radiating light showed me the way! The truth was revealed! Beautiful model 27's, 28's, outdoorsman's, heavy duties, 581's, M15 combat masterpiece's, etc.
S&W forum brethren, please forgive me! All I can say is it's better late than never to the game! Now I'm retired and a die hard collector of these beautiful revolvers that almost speak out to me and the countless enjoyable hours studying the history of them, quite enjoyable.
In full disclosure, my very first revolver was a Model 29-3 6" 44 mag given to me by dad when I was a young Marine corporal in 1986. Thank God I held onto it to this day. Of course, brother now teases me incessantly, always reminding me of my past sins, what are brothers for!
. where's the pictures?
...Ben
