Lets Not Forget Those High Functioning Ugly Ducklings

[Retired W4]

I know every one likes to own and show all these beautiful examples of S&W craftsmanship but lets give credit to the survivors of many years of hard use. This Pre-12 from 1954-1955 has more holster wear than the law should allow but it functions like a brand new gun. I think it was probably used by a LE type (either a detective or as a BUG). It was either not shot very much or it was very well maintained through the years. Timing and lock-up are great, and yes it's loaded. I carry it and shoot it on a regular basis. Let's see your high functioning ugly ducklings, or not.

Previously shown but worth consideration.

 

[BigBill]

Dragnet guns?

Or Five 0?

Rockford Files?

 

[the armanian]

I know every one likes to own and show all these beautiful examples of S&W craftsmanship but lets give credit to the survivors of many years of hard use. This Pre-12 from 1954-1955 has more holster wear than the law should allow but it functions like a brand new gun. I think it was probably used by a LE type (either a detective or as a BUG). It was either not shot very much or it was very well maintained through the years. Timing and lock-up are great, and yes it's loaded. I carry it and shoot it on a regular basis. Let's see your high functioning ugly ducklings, or not.

Previously shown but worth consideration.

Its not Ugly, it has character traits from all the years passed, if only it could talk.
Pete

 

[fungunnin]

This old war horse of a HD I'm sure has tales to tell. The stags have been on for quite some time.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

 

[Modified]

High Functioning Ugly Ducklings?

I think my Registered Magnum counts

Love that gun.

 

[Comrad]

Ugly, no way, those are the kind of guns that attracted me to S&W in the first place. A little sweaty and dirty.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Here's a grizzled veteran of the bullseye circuit from long ago. It's a .22/32 on the "Bekeart" pattern, shipped to M.W. Robinson distributors in NYC on March 19, 1917. Still works, but it's seen better days for sure. Note the unusual rear sight, perhaps an aftermarket item.

John

 

[calmex]

This old beater, Phil Roettinger's N.R.M., with actual service on Guadalcanal and Bouganville should certainly count.

This revolver has a beautiful double-action and perhaps a bit of a heavy single-action pull for someone who was such a dedicated target shooter as Roettinger. Interestingly enough, using the 158 grain LSWC at either 820 fps or 1,350 fps it has a "dead on" impact in the center of the 4-inch black circle of an N.R.A. D-3 target if one takes a 6-o'clock hold on the bottom of the black from 25 yards. This with the rear sight all the way down flat with no further adjustment. The 1/10th inch front sight with the red bead on the King ramp seems to have been adjusted perfectly. Or was it just luck? Shipped in the spring of 1942 and undoubtedly made up from parts "just laying around", they couldn't have cut things any finer on that sight adjustment.

 

[Modified]

This old beater, Phil Roettinger's N.R.M., with actual service on Guadalcanal and Bouganville should certainly count.

This revolver has a beautiful double-action and perhaps a bit of a heavy single-action pull for someone who was such a dedicated target shooter as Roettinger. Interestingly enough, using the 158 grain LSWC at either 820 fps or 1,350 fps it has a "dead on" impact in the center of the 4-inch black circle of an N.R.A. D-3 target if one takes a 6-o'clock hold on the bottom of the black from 25 yards. This with the rear sight all the way down flat with no further adjustment. The 1/10th inch front sight with the red bead on the King ramp seems to have been adjusted perfectly. Or was it just luck? Shipped in the spring of 1942 and undoubtedly made up from parts "just laying around", they couldn't have cut things any finer on that sight adjustment.

Please stop posting this gun. I'm filled with a jealousy that must be unhealthy. I swear, that gun is absolutely everything I love about old S&Ws all in one package. Simply amazing.

 

[tftech1]

One of My Favorite Uglies

I believe that Sixgun Strumpet and I have compared our RM warhorses in an earlier thread. Everything on this one is original, including the character. I sent for a letter on this in February, 2014. Looking forward to some interesting information.

 

[delta-419]

Beauty

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some might call this old 44HE ugly? She still shoots to point of aim although she must have been carried 24/7. Prison guard, town constable or bootlegger, who knows. If only she could talk!

 

[Modified]

I believe that Sixgun Strumpet and I have compared these RM warhorses in an earlier thread.

I do believe that is true, but I don't recall how it is yours got to be the way it is.

Mine spent much of it's existence in Mexico, although I have no idea where all the finish went. Someone drilled a hole in the top strap and it took me 2 years to find an RM rear sight (which was missing when I put my 3 $50 bills on the table to buy it, at the time I thought that it couldn't be *that* hard to find a rear sight). No idea when or where that happened before it came to it's resting place, hanging on a nail in a shed in southwest Washington state.

 

[Autococker07]

This old beater, Phil Roettinger's N.R.M., with actual service on Guadalcanal and Bouganville should certainly count.

This revolver has a beautiful double-action and perhaps a bit of a heavy single-action pull for someone who was such a dedicated target shooter as Roettinger. Interestingly enough, using the 158 grain LSWC at either 820 fps or 1,350 fps it has a "dead on" impact in the center of the 4-inch black circle of an N.R.A. D-3 target if one takes a 6-o'clock hold on the bottom of the black from 25 yards. This with the rear sight all the way down flat with no further adjustment. The 1/10th inch front sight with the red bead on the King ramp seems to have been adjusted perfectly. Or was it just luck? Shipped in the spring of 1942 and undoubtedly made up from parts "just laying around", they couldn't have cut things any finer on that sight adjustment.

WOW!!!! calmex, is that RM now in your care?!? Did you get to meet Col Roettinger, or did you pick it up after his passing? Talk about a true piece of history, that RM is right up there with Elmer Keith's!!!! TOOO COOL!!!!!! I am in awe!



OP, sorry bout the hijack... I love model 12s, and have a very interesting one that I will post when I get the letter back on it..... its holster wear makes yours look NEW..... LOL... I still love it!

 

[Art Doc]

SS- Is that a 6.5" barrel? I would spend the money on that one.

You want character?

 

[clang444]

How about a commercial 1917 that some copper had cut down to 4":


Must have been someone that knew exactly what they wanted...

 

[Modified]

SS- Is that a 6.5" barrel? I would spend the money on that one.

You want character?

It's a 6" barrel.

I thought about having it restored and decided I would rather just buy a second high condition gun instead. I like this one the way it is, and it's an absolute treat to shoot it. The only thing actually wrong with it is that the cylinder is a bit sticky to pop put. I think the rod inside the extractor rod is every so slightly dimpled on the end in there. Aside from that (once I got the rear sight put on that is) it's all good and shoots way better then a gun that I have a total investment of about $300 in should shoot.

 

[calmex]

Please stop posting this gun. I'm filled with a jealousy that must be unhealthy. I swear, that gun is absolutely everything I love about old S&Ws all in one package. Simply amazing.

I will try to post it only at night when you might be sleeping so it might slip past you without causing discomfort.

 

[calmex]

WOW!!!! calmex, is that RM now in your care?!? Did you get to meet Col Roettinger, or did you pick it up after his passing? Talk about a true piece of history, that RM is right up there with Elmer Keith's!!!! TOOO COOL!!!!!! I am in awe!



OP, sorry bout the hijack... I love model 12s, and have a very interesting one that I will post when I get the letter back on it..... its holster wear makes yours look NEW..... LOL... I still love it!

Thank you. Yes, I knew him quite well. For several years I saw him literally every day, and probably even took that for granted.

You can read more about this gun and Phil Roettinger on this link:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...47-penultimate-pre-postwar-magnum-mexico.html

Cheers!
Cal

 

[gmborkovic]

None of them are ugly, all our members are correct. These are the ones I buy at shows, clubs and shops. I get them back to the shop and treat them them just like a NIB. Mike #2796

 

[Watchdog]

I do not see any Ugly Ducklings in any of these photographs.