New Guy May Be Hooked - Need Advice

[Col Defender]

Hi

I'm pretty new to this forum though I have lots of guns including three S&W revolvers of recent vintage.

My problem is I have been hanging out here and looking at posts and especially pictures of some of the oldies you guys have. There are some beautiful revolvers from the 30's and 40's and I'm thinking I may want to start a modest collection. But I am way too ignorant about the oldies to just go buy one on line, at a dealer, or a gun show.

So... I've ordered a couple of S&W books from Amazon.

What else should I do? There may be a place on this forum which presents organized info on the various models and, especially, how to tell their condition, value and so on but I have not found it.

Please help a newbie before he makes too many mistakes!

Thanks

Steve

 

[Col Defender]

Hi

I'm pretty new to this forum though I have lots of guns including three S&W revolvers of recent vintage.

My problem is I have been hanging out here and looking at posts and especially pictures of some of the oldies you guys have. There are some beautiful revolvers from the 30's and 40's and I'm thinking I may want to start a modest collection. But I am way too ignorant about the oldies to just go buy one on line, at a dealer, or a gun show.

So... I've ordered a couple of S&W books from Amazon.

What else should I do? There may be a place on this forum which presents organized info on the various models and, especially, how to tell their condition, value and so on but I have not found it.

Please help a newbie before he makes too many mistakes!

Thanks

Steve

 

[tbury]

Read through the FAQs at the top of this part of the forum. They have lots of useful info about S&Ws. If you have ordered the Standard Catalogue of Smitn and Wessons that is a great guide and has info about collecting as well as guns.

Keep reading the forum and you will learn a lot.

 

[Iggy]

What else should I do?

Run away!!

I was perfectly happy with my old MDL 58 that I carried for years until I found this place.

The pictures and information here got me started and now I own at least 16 and I cruise the pawn shops and gunshows like clergyman on a mission.

I still don't have an "need" for all of the guns I purchased, but I sure do like them

This place, like the S&W guns, is addicting and expensive.

So take my advice,, Run!!!

 

[Allen-frame]

Steve ,,welcome. To address your question directly, I will say this;
First ,and most important is the mechanical inspection. Whether the gun is shootable or not.
Always check the bore thoroughly ,any rings or heavy damage are usually deal breakers,unless one is looking for a project gun.
Timing and lockup are inportant ,but can usually be repaired. And if you know what you're looking at, can be used in the bargaining process.

After mechanical comes the finish. Determining whether a gun has been re finished is often a tricky proposition.
A rule of thumb might be : the older a gun is ,the more likely it's been re finished in its lifetime.
Unless it's like new in box with all numbers matching, many things can be done to a Smith revolver to change it from its original configuration. The lettering and trademark logo should be crisp and a fingernail should catch when dragged across any lettering, if not, suspect a re-finish.

Keep studying the posts and good photographs here on the forum. You will have a much greater advantage than most of us did when starting out. And hopefully make fewer mistakes.

Remember when buying online ,,If the seller doesn't offer an inspection period ,ask yourself why.

Deal with the best on this forum ,like Lee Jarrett, and you will always come out ahead.

Good luck ,,,Allen