Most desirable pre model marked Smith ... Other than a RM

[Stu1205]

The answer depends on what area you focus on in your collecting pursuits. For me, I focus on N-frames from the 50s and 60s, so my answer is a first year 44 Magnum in its original case with accessories.

Bill

Pardon me while I wipe the drool off of my keyboard.

Stu

 

[Engine49guy]

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

Beautiful pair and my personal favorites as well,

Your K-262xxx is definitely a Pre Model 19 but technically your K-317xxx Combat Magnum is "Non Model Marked Combat Magnum" or "Non model marked Model 19".
Pre Models were made before the Model marking process began where Non Model marked guns slipped through without a Model marking after the practice of model marking had begun.

 

[tjpopkin]

Though my collection has made many turns….
1. 1st 2 years of RM in box with tube and certificate and screwdriver
2. Early target Triple-Locks and #3s
3. Pre-War K-32, .32 M&P, and .32-20 Targets
4. 1940 K-22(2nd model)
5. Early .44 Magnum in case with accessories.
depending on FOCUS….this list goes on. For ME, #3 above.

 

[DCWilson]

Well, they are all desirable, but adjustable-sight models are more desirable to me than the fixed-sight guys. Among the target models, increased desirability is pretty heavily correlated with scarcity.

So I guess my preferences, arranged mostly in descending order of frame size, would run like this:

Triple Lock target revolvers.

Early Masterpiece (or Masterpiece precursor) K-frames in any caliber beginning in 1940 and continuing through the five-screw guns with no or narrow barrel ribs.

I-frame .32 target models, particularly of the 1903 and Regulation Police variety.

Prewar .22/32 Kit Guns, which are just about the most generally useful and perfectly proportioned revolver that S&W ever built.

Of course I hunger for a K-32 first model from the late 1930s like the one at the top of this page, but I suspect I may wait a long time before I have a chance to add one of those to the safe.

 

[keith44spl]

Quote:
Originally Posted by keith44spl [URL="http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/blue_style/buttons/viewpost.gif"][URL="http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/blue_style/buttons/viewpost.gif"][URL="http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/blue_style/buttons/viewpost.gif"] [/URL][/URL][/URL]
I kinda need/want a .44 Special 4" nickel TL.

How badly do you want one? How much are you willing to part with to get it?

Wells now Dick....

I'm purty sure we might come to some kinda understanding


Dave

P.S.
Did Carroll tell ya that he ended up with the ol four inch 3rd model with the ivories of mine?


.

 

[DGT]

Desirable to own and shoot: Target model Triplelock
Desirable to collect and own: Schofields

 

[Shore]

Wow, this would be a tough one to answer.??? Ok,some where between the 1905 M&Ps and one 1917, 45acp. I just love the triggers on them. Smooth! And light a real joy to shoot.
Shore

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

Since I only have one.

I lucked into a Pre 27 last month. About 80 or 85% finish. I am happy with the gun. It has a local connect. And right now it is the gun I shoot the best.

Can't offer an opinion on the other pre guns.

 

[chipking]

Right now I am chasing a post war / pre Model 23. 6 1/2" 38/44 Outdoorsman Model of 1950 which should fill the bill very nicely. I own or have owned most of the others referred to but have never even laid hands on one of these. But that could all change Thursday.

There was this 1 5" tapered barrel 5 screw 44 Magnum pre 29 that I let slip through my fingers at a Virginia gun show several years ago that makes me wish I had a time machine.

Or maybe that Roper stocked K-22 masterpiece that I passed on a couple of years later at another show.
Chip King

 

[bmg60]

Keith 44 Spec.
You did not say which one you were looking for so I posted one of each.
The 4 inch Targets are really scarce less than 3 or 4 Known and the fixed sight nickels are not much better est. less than 100 4 inch nickels.
O by the way I have a box for the 4 inch nickel.
Jim

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

The answer depends on what area you focus on in your collecting pursuits. For me, I focus on N-frames from the 50s and 60s, so my answer is a first year 44 Magnum in its original case with accessories.

Bill

Are those original Cokes Bill,Or Keith Brown's?

 

[Wingmaster]

I have changed my mind about 15 times since I started reading this thread.

Wingmaster

 

[410bore]

Are those original Cokes Bill,Or Keith Brown's?

Alex,

I'll answer for Bill. They are original. That gun was used for an article in Argosy Magazine in 1956.

I have always loved that gun due to those stocks. They have to be one of the finest sets I have ever seen

 

[rburg]

Did Carroll tell ya that he ended up with the ol four inch 3rd model with the ivories of mine?

Secrets are hard to keep. I heard it from David and from Doublesharp. He knows the value of 4" guns, and they seem to move pretty quick. Maybe even fluidly. Maybe 6 or 7 years ago I stole one at a small show in Paris, KY. I then sold it to my table partner for double. I didn't really want to sell it so I just priced it out of reason. He wanted that gun badly and in less than an hour, he was throwing $100 bills in front of me, demanding "his" gun. So flush with new found riches, I walked around the gun show. When I got back, he'd already sold it to the guy behind us! He then bought another 4" gun and moved it to our engraver, Jeff Flannery so it could get identical scratching and inlay to his 4" 38/44. Lots of twists and turns going on. John passed away right after all that. Maybe too much stress from great guns coming and going.

 

[RKmesa]

I would have to say pre war "Outdoorsman's" revolvers of either type...

Of course, the box and goodies add to the desirability...

 

[RKmesa]

Your K-262xxx is definitely a Pre Model 19 but technically your K-317xxx Combat Magnum is "Non Model Marked Combat Magnum" or "Non model marked Model 19".
Pre Models were made before the Model marking process began where Non Model marked guns slipped through without a Model marking after the practice of model marking had begun.

I would have to take a bit of an exception to the above distinction. All of the K317XXX and even some of the K318XXX Combat Magnums that I recall seeing have no model marking and I would therefore refer to them as pre-19's. I own K318014 and it too is not model marked. As an aside I also own K260035 that I purchased several years ago from Lee.

Early in my "collecting career", I thought that the only COOL gun that S&W made was the Combat Magnum. In an effort to collect one of every P&R CM and every finish and every barrel length, I purchased almost every one that I found. I came pretty close - I'm missing a few 5"ers and a few 3"ers and some nickel ones here and there. But...then I discovered the pre-war and early post-war guns and I was really hooked.

I also agree with several of the above posters that at any given point, I might answer the question of my favorite "pre model marking S&W" differently.

 

[The Gila Bender]

I'm an N frame kinda guy. My favs are:
- Prewar HD, OD, .44 Military and Target models.
- Transition OD. Possibly the finest large frame .38 ever produced.
- 1950 model OD, .357 Magnum, and .44 Special Target.

If I had to pick, then:
Prewar 4" and 5" HD and 1926 Model .44 Military.
Transition OD.
1950 Model .357 pre-27.

 

[DWFAN]

Pre and post war targets get my motor running the most.
DW

 

[Iggy]

Another vote for pre war Outdoorsmans.

 

[lowhog]

You did say I can't pick a Registered magnum, so I'll pick a non-Registered magnum.