Late 1940s catalogs

[Aussie Collector]

G'day,
Pictured are 2 Smith & Wesson "All Model Circulars" one from 1945 and one from 1949.
Can someone tell me if model Circulars (or catalogs) were issued for the years in between these 2?
Also have I correctly labelled the one on the left as 1945 or is it considered to be 1946?
Cheers.

 

[opoefc]

The one on the left is considered to be the 1945 AMC. The 1946 AMC is dated Oct. 5, 1946. 1947 AMC is dated Dec. 18, 1946. 1948 is dated Oct. 5, 1948. I believe that's the one you picture on the right. The 1949 AMC is dated Jan. 1949. The 1950 AMC is dated Jan 1950. Ed.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate the assistance.

I get confused with "dated" and "prices effective" luckily the formats are different so I think I know what you mean, thanks.
For the benefit of others "Prices effective" has the Month/Day/year, the year code on the back is usually month/year and sometimes has "printed" month/year.

The one on the right is "Prices shown effective October 5. 1946" back page code "M.J. O'M 1-49"

Thanks you have mentioned 3 that I don't have and didn't know existed. I'm guessing they are all red seeing that it appears to be the color of choice in the 40s (1 exception).

Is there a code on the back and if so what is it, on the 1946 AMC you mention dated Oct. 5, 1946?
The dates on the 1947 and 1948 are distinctive and I have not seen them on another AMC.
Cheers.

 

[opoefc]

My data base for these AMC is the source of the dates I quoted above. The info was compiled some years ago by a few of us comparing our AMCs. I didn't record the codes on the back and don't currently have copies of these AMCs to inspect. In reviewing my notes I found a notation of a Jan 1945 (?) AMC that has "Post War Orders Now Being Accepted" on the bottom of the first page. I believe the 1945 is a typo and should read "1946" as the war was not over in Jan 1945. Ed.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Thanks. "Post War Orders Now Being Accepted" was (also) on the 1941 AMC. Well I labelled it 1941 anyway because of the "Prices quoted in this circular June 1 1941" on the front page, no date on the back. Pictured.
I think you just identified a different AMC, another one I didn't know about. If it is dated Jan 1946 I would think the "prices shown effective" date would be earlier than this rather than the later "Oct. 5, 1946" date.
There are a lot to collect, a lot of us will have to settle for notes on what was issued rather than physical copies, you're not on your own there that's for sure. I have 4 different AMC dated 1959 and know of 2 other variations, it seems every time I add one to my collection I here of another 2 I don't have.

 

[opoefc]

To my knowledge, the "Post War orders Now Being Accepted" did not appear on any AMC until late 1945. Reference to the "Prices Quoted in This Circular June 1, 1941" was a carry over from the wartime price freeze on all products imposed by the Gov't to counteract wartime price gouging of consumers, after the US entered WW2 in Dec. 1941. This freeze was lifted shortly after WW2 ended in Aug. 1945. The 1941 prices were moot anyway, as no civilian sales of S&Ws were available during WW2, except the approved distribution of S&Ws by the Defense Supply Comm. to war plant guards & local Law enforcement. Ed.

 

[Aussie Collector]

That's very useful information, thanks.

Maybe someone can identify the year of this catalog, it has 4 pages and is 9" x 11"?
See pictures.

 

[JSR III]

Not sure if this helps or adds to the confusion, but my first 40's AMC is dated by me as 1945. There are no prices listed and at the bottom of the front page it states, WHAT WILL POSTWAR PRICES BE?

On the bottom of the last page it states, HOW WILL PRODUCTION BE SCHEDULED? This is followed by a paragraph that speaks to reconverting back to civilian production but states that there are still government contracts to fill. We may get some guns out sooner, but don't count on real quanity production before the beginning of 1946. Hence, my belief that this AMC was printed in late 1945 after VJ day in August.

The next one in my collection states at the bottom, PRICES SHOWN ARE THE OPA RETAIL CEILINGS, Effective December, 8 1945 with Federal Excise Tax included.

Therefore, I date this one 12/8/1945. Prices are now shown and the .357 Magnum is listed at $82.50 with a note stating that deliveries are expected to start late summer, 1946.

The last 40's AMC in my collection shows prices effective October 5, 1946 however, on the back page is a printers notation showing M.J. O'M - Jan 1950. I therefore consider this a late 1946 catalog that was reprinted in January of 1950. The blue .357 is now $100.00 and the .38 M&P is referred to as The New .38 Military and Police, Square Butt, Short Action. (First mention of Short Action.)

As I said, not sure if this helps or adds to the confusion.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Not sure if this helps or adds to the confusion, but my first 40's AMC is dated by me as 1945. There are no prices listed and at the bottom of the front page it states, WHAT WILL POSTWAR PRICES BE?

On the bottom of the last page it states, HOW WILL PRODUCTION BE SCHEDULED? This is followed by a paragraph that speaks to reconverting back to civilian production but states that there are still government contracts to fill. We may get some guns out sooner, but don't count on real quanity production before the beginning of 1946. Hence, my belief that this AMC was printed in late 1945 after VJ day in August.

I have not seen this one before so it's yet another added to my list.

The next one in my collection states at the bottom, PRICES SHOWN ARE THE OPA RETAIL CEILINGS, Effective December, 8 1945 with Federal Excise Tax included.

Therefore, I date this one 12/8/1945. Prices are now shown and the .357 Magnum is listed at $82.50 with a note stating that deliveries are expected to start late summer, 1946.

Yes I have this one also and dated it 1945, realistically it was probably first distributed in 1946.

The last 40's AMC in my collection shows prices effective October 5, 1946 however, on the back page is a printers notation showing M.J. O'M - Jan 1950. I therefore consider this a late 1946 catalog that was reprinted in January of 1950. The blue .357 is now $100.00 and the .38 M&P is referred to as The New .38 Military and Police, Square Butt, Short Action. (First mention of Short Action.)

I have an example with the same price and mentioning of the short action, however my example has the printers mark on the back of "M.J.O'M. Jan 1949", therefore I date this one to 1949.

As I said, not sure if this helps or adds to the confusion.

Adding to the confusion is good as it make one think.
Thanks for your help and comments, much appreciated.
Cheers.