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

[fungunnin]

OK guys let's hear it.
What is your personally most desirable Pre Model marked Smith? And why?
Only two rules.
~No choosing the RM, that just not fair to all the other great guns
~No choosing "birth year, month, day, second .... Guns. One it just points out to us young guys that we were never alive to enjoy quality hand built America craftsmanship and it is a cop out unless you choose a specific model with it too.

I'll start.
I love K frames. Maybe because they are the first Smiths I owned, maybe because I always felt that they were the underdogs to their big cousin the N frame. But most likely it was because I used to be able to find cheap Ks when every N was at least twice as much.

I think the king of the K frame is the Combat Magnum! Not a ton were made and everyone I have handled were absolute works of art!

I've managed to get two to follow me home. These guys kinda bookend the Combat Mag serial span 262xxx and 317xxx

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

 

[fungunnin]

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

 

[murphydog]

OK, I'll bite - a Triple Lock (New Century) Target.

 

[beagleye]

Transitional target 1926.

 

[ralph7]

I would lean towards the K32 pre 16, myself.

 

[fat tom]

A K 22/40 with box and docs. Why? 'Cause I ain't got one.
f.t.

 

[Doc44]

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

 

[Jim R]

Got to be the pre 24's. I have a couple of them and what a joy to shoot.

Jim R

 

[1blindref]

For me, it would be any N-frame from the 30's through 1957. I can't remember the last S&W I bought that didn't fit into that group.

 

[fungunnin]

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

=) that's the point
It is fun to see what different focuses people have and how that shapes what they consider desirable.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

 

[fyimo]

For me it was a 27-2 with 4 inch barrel

 

[keith44spl]

I kinda need/want a .44 Special 4" nickel TL.......



.

 

[long colt frazier]

At this time for me it would be a pristine pre-war kit gun with the box and all the goodies of course
Mark

 

[delta-419]

N Frames

Any N frame prior to 1940. The weight, the craftsmanship, the era of big bores and iron men and their time in history. The fact that they are difficult to acquire or at least a challenge. These are factors that draw me to these works of art. I am particularly drawn to the 44S&W Special, all models. The sound of the lock work as you cycle and feel the smooth action at lock up, the roar of the big bore as the crisp trigger lets loose of the sear. The way it feels in your hand, these are some of the factors that influence my pick for top S&Ws.

 

[Green Frog]

The absolute "holy grail" of S&W would have to be the Triple Lock Target in about any caliber, but especially in 44 S&W Special. This would be followed on a slightly less mythic plane by the first of the 44 Magnum revolvers of the mid- to late '50s. Only slightly less desirable would be the post-War K-32s with 6" tapered barrel and narrow rib and their companion early post-war K-22s. Only the last of these is affordable by mere mortals so that's the only one I have, but I can still dream of #1 and #3 on the list as my own bucket list. I'll have to make do with my Model 29-2 to cover #4.

Froggie

 

[phenson]

I'd like to have one of those Third Model Wolf and Klars that has been blinged up with those steer head grips and that cheap pawn shop engraving. A real BBQ gun.
Or anything modified by D.W. King.............

 

[Varangi]

How about a post war M76, 9mm with lots of spare parts- You said there were only 2 rules---Oh and a tax stamp and a different State of Residence.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I have several 44 specials including a 1926 target, a pre 24, and a second model target. Also have a pre 29. No box.
But- pre war K-22 is my selection. I would love to have one!

 

[Jim Watson]

M&P Target as shown at the head of this board.
I had an opportunity to buy a 4" M&P Target, ancestor of the Combat Masterpiece, many years ago but turned it down because the trigger return was sluggish. Probably just needed an unclipped rebound spring. But I did not know that and was cautious with limited funds.

I think a Regulation Police Target is about the cutest little thing in the lineup, but kind of light by modern standards.

 

[rburg]

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?