History of Smith & Wesson by Jinks

[DanDolfn]

I'm brand new in the S&W world, but one of the things that I read was that the History of Smith & Wesson by Roy Jinks was a must-have.

Went on line to look for a copy and found new first editions ranging up to $200. Even used copies were $50 or more.

Found a used first edition in very good condition for $30 plus $6 shipping.

It feels like I did good!

 

[opoefc]

That's a fair price for a good first edit. I'll tell you a little known secret about the first edit. In 1977, the S&WCA held their annual meeting in conjunction with the Hartford, Conn. gun show. Roy Jinks had just finished the final proof of the book and rushed it off to the printer, with the request that copies of the book be available in time for our annual meeting and distribution to the members in attendance. Sure enough, a delivery truck arrived with a load of books, and we grabbed a couple copies off the top and started reading them. After a few pages, I realized something was not right. It turned out some of the books were incorrectly bound and the pages were not all in numbering sequence, which made it difficult to follow the information. We quickly rounded up the misbound books, we think, and they were returned to the printer. Since then, I kick myself for not keeping the one I had, as it would be a rare version of the first edition now. Ed.

 

[DanDolfn]

Good story!

And, yeah, you should have snagged two!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

That's a fair price for a good first edit. I'll tell you a little known secret about the first edit. In 1977, the S&WCA held their annual meeting in conjunction with the Hartford, Conn. gun show. Roy Jinks had just finished the final proof of the book and rushed it off to the printer, with the request that copies of the book be available in time for our annual meeting and distribution to the members in attendance. Sure enough, a delivery truck arrived with a load of books, and we grabbed a couple copies off the top and started reading them. After a few pages, I realized something was not right. It turned out some of the books were incorrectly bound and the pages were not all in numbering sequence, which made it difficult to follow the information. We quickly rounded up the misbound books, we think, and they were returned to the printer. Since then, I kick myself for not keeping the one I had, as it would be a rare version of the first edition now. Ed.

Ed
Look at the picture of Roy on the dustjacket. Some of the early copies have the picture reversed. Look at the S&W logo on the fireplace, it's reversed.

 

[opoefc]

Don, Roy's wedding ring is on the wrong hand, also. Ed.

 

[handejector]

Of course, the 1st Ed is desirable for a bibliophile.

However, a collector should seek out the Revised Tenth Anniversary Edition (Ninth Printing, June-88 or later). It has updates, and the K frame serial number chart is much longer (page 190).
Not hard to spot- see the pics

 

[opoefc]

Lee, If I read you correctly, what you mean is that you got stuck with a large quantity of 9th edit. overruns from the publisher, correct? I have a soft spot in my wallet for dealers with excess inventory of nice S&W items, so I will take a copy off your hands for $5, including shipping. Deal? (Author signed, of course!) Ed.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I was lucky enough to get a nice copy with the dust jacket for $25.00. It is copyright 1977 and does not mention any other additions so it must be the first.

When I just opened it up I found the letter I wrote nearly a month ago with a donation that I thought I had mailed. I wont ever see that silver button if that letter doesn't get mailed. LOL

 

[075]

This the book I've been wanting to ask about on this web site.

Buying this book is No.1 on the of my top of my to do list.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Ed
Look at the picture of Roy on the dustjacket. Some of the early copies have the picture reversed. Look at the S&W logo on the fireplace, it's reversed.

I have copies of the 8th and 10th and the picture is reversed on both. Are you sure it was corrected?
The item on the wall looks to me like a printing plate , and therefore correct.

I can never tell when you guys are joking around sometimes......now being one of them.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

Can anyone tell me if this image is reversed or not?

 

[Aussie Collector]

The W is not reversed so your picture must be ok.

Seriously, I have noticed since my last post that in video interviews and pictures Mr Jinks wears his watch on his left arm like most people, the picture in my books his watch appears to be on his right.

 

[FPrice]

I pulled out my copy to check which one I had. It seems to be from the thirteenth printing and the picture on the inside front of the dust jacket shows Mr. Jinks with his right (?) arm up, leaning on a shelf, with watch and ring on that arm. He signed it for me at the Ware (MA) Gun Shop on 13 March 04.

Checked out the Model 15 section (for reasons which I hope to report on later this week). On page 179 he mentions that the .38 Combat Masterpiece became the Model 15 in 1957 when model number series were introduced. But in the table on the page prior it seems to state that K-frame model numbers were stamped on these guns beginning 12/22/1959.