More info on the nickel plated 4 gun set, with pics

[bk66]

Hi Guys-

I have had some inquiries about the 4 gun nickel plated set that I posted a picture of last night. Thank you to those who took the time to message me, and I will answer your questions in this post, hopefully .
First of all, I am posting the only pics I currently have. The set belongs to a very good friend of mine, not me. 4 years ago, he asked me to assist him in taking pictures of some of his gun collection. I now realize that i should have taken more pics of this set, but i was constrained for time with my work schedule, and we had a couple hundred guns to take pics of. I just got off the phone with the owner, and he said that he purchased this set from a private collector over 30 years ago- and they had been in storage up until the day we took pics of them. Both he and I believe that this set could be a one-of-a-kind item, and I have discussed with him contacting Smith and Wesson to hopefully get more information about who this set may have been made for. If anyone has any info on this it would certainly be appreciated. Let me know if you have any other questions, thanks...

 

[Engine49guy]

Awesome...never seen one like it , my guess is some sort of mid 50's salesman sample box as all are five screw guns of similar vintage.
Perhaps the extra .357 barrel and grips were to demonstrate that model could be ordered in target or carry configuration...just a guess.

Thanks for sharing...serials would be interesting to accurately date the set.

Side note perhaps the extra set of grips actually belong on the .44 Magnum as they are cokes.

 

[M29since14]

That's very interesting. I'll be standing by to see what turns up on this. I've never seen anything quite like it.

 

[jackvs1]

Thanks for posting - I missed this last night. Can't wait to hear the rest of the story? What is owners intention on these and the others?

 

[handejector]

Interesting set.
Looks like:
Terrier
38 M&P
357 Mag
44 Mag

I doubt it is a Factory set. More likely someone's idea of a perfect battery of S&Ws. I would guess he had the case made.

If nothing else, pull the grips and check the frame for rework marks and/or letter the 5 Screw nickel 44 Mag! I suspect it might be a renickel. If original, that gun is practically unique!!!!!

 

[JayCeeNC]

I'd venture the value of that set is astronomical--I don't think there's a number that goes with that.

 

[Dosgatos]

Wow, I mean WOW!

 

[George_in_SD]

Very cool set! I would love to see some detailed pictures of the case and each gun.


Is there any writing, graphics, embossing, etc on the top of the case? What material is it?

 

[AKtinman]

Nice set.

It looks like the stocks on the .44 Magnum are Targets, rather than "Cokes".

It would be interesting to know more about that gun.

Thanks for sharing the pix!

 

[r3captain]

Thanks for sharing such a first class set! Even the detail on the case is incredible
.

 

[gjamison]

That's outstanding! The extra set of grips are cokes I think. Don't think this is a factory set or salemen's sample, someone very talented put that together. Very nice!

 

[weatherby]

The extra set of grips are cokes I think.
Your thinking right

 

[X Ring Ranch]

What is inside the compartment?

What is on the outside of the box (LOGO?)

No paperwork or cleaning stuff?

Serial number range of the group in the same period of time?

Dwight

 

[1blindref]

Could that have been a S&W salesman kit or maybe a gun show sales kit?

 

[one eye joe]

I HAVE BEEN AROUND GUNS FOR 60 YEARS, AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I AM BLOWN AWAY ! ! ! THANKS FOR SHARING. I'M ALSO EAGER TO READ MORE OF THE STORY…….

 

[trashy]

I, along with the rest, will be following and waiting more details. To echo others....... WOW!!!

 

[410bore]

First of all, I LOVE the set, especially the 44 Magnum and the 357 Magnum. A couple observations about the set;

The Smith & Wesson Logo Plate on the lid is from the 1970's or later if my memory serves me correctly. Also, the tool compartment with S&W logo handle is probably out of a 1970's period presentation case. So, after seeing that, I'm certain the case was crafted by a very talented person well after the guns were shipped from the factory.

Regarding the 44 magnum, IF it is original nickel you have the 2nd known 4" 5 Screw Nickel as Doc44 stated in your initial posting of the guns in the Nickel K22 thread. I hope it is original but I have my doubts. I believe it is a later nickel finish but was done by S&W. The work appears to be superb. The only clue I see is the target trigger. It is not the style appropriate for the vintage of the gun. The trigger is far too thick and is more like the trigger one would expect to see on a late 1960's -1970's S&W. Of course, this change could have nothing to do with the originality of the finish. Perhaps, there was an internal issue that the new target trigger remedied but it just throws up a red flag to me.

Here is a good shot of a 1956 44 magnum with the super thin target trigger of that period.



compared to your trigger;

 

[raljr1]

looks like the stuff that dreams are made of.

 

[BigBill]

If this is a one of a kind set what's the value?

 

[one eye joe]

If this is a one of a kind set what's the value?

THE VALUE IS EXACTLY WHAT THE HIGHEST BIDER IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT AT AUCTION……..