Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
How late were these guys buying 1926s? I just sent for a letter on one made around 1938. Is it likely it went to W&K, sort of likely, or were they done buying by then?
Since we're talking about Wolf & Klar...
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OP
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
How late were these guys buying 1926s? I just sent for a letter on one made around 1938. Is it likely it went to W&K, sort of likely, or were they done buying by then?
Sax, this is to let you know that I dunno about the rest of these yahoos but I'm not ignoring you -- I just dunno the answer!
My guess: W&K bought 1926s right up to the war. Inasmuch as they catalogued 'em, S&W that is, in the late '30s, I think your 1938 could be W&K or not. (Nothing like a firm answer -- "W&K or not" -- from a guy who doesn't know what he's talking about and hedges his bets, huh?
)
My guess: W&K bought 1926s right up to the war. Inasmuch as they catalogued 'em, S&W that is, in the late '30s, I think your 1938 could be W&K or not. (Nothing like a firm answer -- "W&K or not" -- from a guy who doesn't know what he's talking about and hedges his bets, huh?
bmg60
Member
hi
guys
i have a post war 44 spec transition
that when to w&k in 1946
i think you can find them in any year up to
1946/47
jim fisher
serial number of mine is S-62782
guys
i have a post war 44 spec transition
that when to w&k in 1946
i think you can find them in any year up to
1946/47
jim fisher
serial number of mine is S-62782
rburg
Member
W&K kind of had a monopoly on the guns, if only because they weren't cataloged. People, if you don't limit it to W&K were buying them all along. As I understand it, the guns didn't hit the catalog until about 1940. I have a 3rd Model target with a 60,000s serial. Then I have another postwar 3rd Model with an S71,000s serial. The real answer to your question of when they stopped buying them was when S&W stopped producing them. That would be when they introduced the Model of 1950, the 44 4th model.
These are very nice guns, and some of us really like them. They're pretty scarce and finding them in perfect condition is difficult. Most were working guns, not safe queens.
These are very nice guns, and some of us really like them. They're pretty scarce and finding them in perfect condition is difficult. Most were working guns, not safe queens.
the armanian
Member
In the book by Roy Jinks 125 years with Smith and Wesson it says they were in production from 1926 to 1940 when in july they temporarily discontinued production and at the end of the war started it again in june of 1946 till january 1949.This is not word for word so if I blew it someone correct me.What Dick said is also in there they were not a catalog item till 1940.
Pete
Pete
OP
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The 1st 1926 I got a few months ago was made in 1928 and I assumed it went to W&K (and it did).
Now this one is much later and I was curious as to the chances it will letter to some other joint. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
Now this one is much later and I was curious as to the chances it will letter to some other joint. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
cxm
Member
W&K was in business in Ft. Worth at least as late as 1958... possibly into the 1960s.
From what I can tell the 3rd Model was made as last as 1949... and I assume W&K was selling them when they could get them.
FWIW
Chuck
From what I can tell the 3rd Model was made as last as 1949... and I assume W&K was selling them when they could get them.
FWIW
Chuck
G
Guest
Dr. P. the absence of good source material on this old Fort Worth gun shop is a shame. Badge 107 remarked in another thread that they were very significant because they influenced a major firearm company to bring out a model that customers were clamoring for.I sure wish someone (maybe one of our forum members in FW) would take this on as a research project and write, if not a book, at least a good article on them.
rburg
Member
I don't think the W&K thing is a dead source, yet. About a year or so ago someone posted that much of that wholesaler/retailers records were still intact. As I recall, the idea was that at some point it might be possible to obtain records from that firm, for a price of course.
The Model of 1926 thing is kind of interesting because as I understand it, W&K had an exclusive on that model for a number of years. Then S&W opened the production to other buyers that wanted it and knew it could be obtained. That finally ended in the inclusion of those guns in the catalog where everyone could buy one if they wanted it.
The Model of 1926 thing is kind of interesting because as I understand it, W&K had an exclusive on that model for a number of years. Then S&W opened the production to other buyers that wanted it and knew it could be obtained. That finally ended in the inclusion of those guns in the catalog where everyone could buy one if they wanted it.
DHENRY
Member
+ 1 for the armanian
I sure wish my post had transgessed to this. Mr Jinks informed me that Wolf and Klar was a Jewelry Store also, I found that very interesting and it sparks my interest to Investigate. I for one would love to spend the time in those records. I am watching this post with extreme interest.
Dan M.
Dan M.
opoefc
US Veteran
I may have been the source of the comment on this forum in the past that most of Wolf & Klar's records were still intact. It was based on a converstion I had, probably 5 yrs ago, with the late Bill Powell, who most of you know was a premier S&W collector. Bill was acquainted with decendents of the owners of W&K and was negotiationg with them to assemble the records, as he wished to purchase them. He felt progress was being made, but was very secretive as to the state of the negotiations. Bill passed away a few weeks ago ( see eulogies posted on this site) and whether those records were obtained by him, I do not know, Ed.
Ed is correct. The last time that I visited with Bill about it was a couple of months before he was struck by the illness to which he succumbed. At that time we talked about W&K and his desire to write their history, however, he was still secretive about the status of his work. My impression was that he had made progress in acquiring the records.
It is also my impression that another Smith author (well known to us all) is writing a book on W&K.
Bob
It is also my impression that another Smith author (well known to us all) is writing a book on W&K.
Bob
OP
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
According to Jinks' book something like 5,000 1926s were made before WW II and around 1,000 were shipped to W&K. Seems like about 80% were shipped elsewhere if those numbers are correct.
OFT
Member
Saxon, I've seen those numbers in one of Jenk's books also. My question is that if W&K got only 20% of the M1926s, why do about 80% of the survivors letter as being shipped to W&K?
OP
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
OFT- I dunno. Maybe since WK guns often went to cops these guns are more likely to be lettered since collectors of cop guns will routinely letter their pieces where other, more causal owners of old guns are less likely to do this?
Or maybe the numbers Jinks cites are off.
Or maybe the numbers Jinks cites are off.
bmcgilvray
Member
I had a lettered Model of 1926 4-inch nickel that went to a hardware store in New Mexico in the mid 1930's. I no longer have the gun but the letter is around here some place.
My parents purchased their wedding rings from Klar Jewelers in downtown Fort Worth in 1954. That jewelry store was still in existence when I began my banking career in downtown Fort Worth in 1975.
They have described Klar Jewelers as a subsidiary of Wolf & Klar.
My parents purchased their wedding rings from Klar Jewelers in downtown Fort Worth in 1954. That jewelry store was still in existence when I began my banking career in downtown Fort Worth in 1975.
They have described Klar Jewelers as a subsidiary of Wolf & Klar.
photoman
Member
A bit off topic but interesting just the same...
I had the opportunity to visit the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco recently and found the gun collection quite fascinating. I think all of the revolvers in the collection, past 1911 anyway, were 4" 1926's. Many fine looking guns in the collection. My impression was those 1926's got the job done.
I had the opportunity to visit the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco recently and found the gun collection quite fascinating. I think all of the revolvers in the collection, past 1911 anyway, were 4" 1926's. Many fine looking guns in the collection. My impression was those 1926's got the job done.
Was looking for my post of 44 HE. Couldn't find it, but did find your post.
Just got letter for that nickle plated, silver gripped HE with the A.W.Brill holster.
Mr. Jinks stated that revolver was shipped along with 11 others to Padgett Bros. Co.,
Dallas Tx. July 26, 1946. All 5", all blue, all checkered Magna grips.
Does anyone have info on Padgett Bros?
Just got letter for that nickle plated, silver gripped HE with the A.W.Brill holster.
Mr. Jinks stated that revolver was shipped along with 11 others to Padgett Bros. Co.,
Dallas Tx. July 26, 1946. All 5", all blue, all checkered Magna grips.
Does anyone have info on Padgett Bros?
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