Last week I had the rare privilege to attend the annual Smith & Wesson Collectors Association meeting, this year held in Tucson, Arizona.
I have never seen such an assemblage of Smith and Wesson firearms. The displays were absolutely out of this world. One could see Registered Magnums, Triple Locks, and at least one example, it seemed, of nearly every S&W ever made, from first to last. Ever see a S&W 9mm light rifle? Neither had I, but there were two at the show, made for the British during WWII but never accepted by them. That's just one example.
Seeing all these fine firearms got me to thinking. If one could point to just ONE Smith & Wesson that would be representative of the entire breed; one that could be displayed proudly on the cover of a book exclusively devoted to S&W craftsmanship, what should it be?
My thinking is that it should be a revolver, of course. Smith is known for its revolvers over and above everything else. And it should be in a classic caliber - perhaps the first Magnum, the still potent .357. The gun itself should not be elaborately engraved or anything like that - it should be representative of the majority of revolvers turned out. An finally, it should be esthetic - a nice looking, classic piece.
My choice would be this one: a 3 1/2" barreled Model 27, with the classic blue finish - target stocks, red ramp, target trigger and hammer. In my mind, about as representative a S&W firearm as exists. You may have another choice - how about it?
I have never seen such an assemblage of Smith and Wesson firearms. The displays were absolutely out of this world. One could see Registered Magnums, Triple Locks, and at least one example, it seemed, of nearly every S&W ever made, from first to last. Ever see a S&W 9mm light rifle? Neither had I, but there were two at the show, made for the British during WWII but never accepted by them. That's just one example.
Seeing all these fine firearms got me to thinking. If one could point to just ONE Smith & Wesson that would be representative of the entire breed; one that could be displayed proudly on the cover of a book exclusively devoted to S&W craftsmanship, what should it be?
My thinking is that it should be a revolver, of course. Smith is known for its revolvers over and above everything else. And it should be in a classic caliber - perhaps the first Magnum, the still potent .357. The gun itself should not be elaborately engraved or anything like that - it should be representative of the majority of revolvers turned out. An finally, it should be esthetic - a nice looking, classic piece.
My choice would be this one: a 3 1/2" barreled Model 27, with the classic blue finish - target stocks, red ramp, target trigger and hammer. In my mind, about as representative a S&W firearm as exists. You may have another choice - how about it?
