Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

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A friend left us today

In the wee hours today, July 24, Ray Cheely succumbed to his battle with cancer.

Ray was a gentleman and a scholar in the truest sense. His love for fine S&W's and his knowledge of them were well known in the collector fraternity.

His vision and and foresight in establishing the S&W Historical Foundation leaves a legacy that future generations of S&W collectors and scholars yet unborn will benefit greatly from.

He will be sorely missed.
Our sincere condolences to Sheryl and all the family.
 
That really sucks!!!

Being a newbie I didnt realize he was sick until I talked to Bill the other night.

RIP Ray you were one of the good ones.
 
I put my check for membership in the mail today.

I encourage all those who have a lettered gun or think they will want to letter a gun in the future to join. Here's a chance for you to help maintain the history we all love.
 
Hi, guys, just to let you know that I will be getting to the letters and membership cards within the next week. Sorry for the delay but it has been pretty rough. Thanks for all the cards, calls and emails. Ray will be very missed by so many of you, but will live on thru the Foundation that he created for the preservation of the S&W records. Thank you.

Sheryl
 
Requests for membership should be mailed to:
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
PO Box 24
Great Bend, KS. 67530

Membership is $100
Life Membership is $1000
Benefactor is $10,000

I will be changing the address in the near future as this was Ray's office PO box.

I'm sure that some of you have questions on whether this Foundation will continue without Ray's guidance.

The answer is very simply, YES.

This was very, very important to both of us. Bill Cross has been taking the reins this last year. I hope to be able to help more and we will be taking on another board member soon. The only thing that we need is additional contributions/members. We all knew upfront that it was a long, expensive endeavor that would help preserve the history and the knowledge, not only for current collectors, but the collectors of the future and their grandkids.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or Bill Cross or any of the other board members. Remember, this is a work in progress and we may not aways have all the answers, but we will get one!

Thanks.

Sheryl
 
10-23-09
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Update

The first phase of records, from 1935 to 1941 is nearing completion. Hopefully, in early 2010 we will be able to offer Historical Letters. Details are still being worked out and we will let everyone know as soon as we have all the details worked out.

I'm excited to announce a new member of our Board of Directors. Dave Ballantyne (merlindrb) has graciously agreed to serve, effective immediately on the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Board. Dave is one of the first Benefactor members of the SWHF. He also is a Life Member of the Smith & Wesson Collector's Association and a Benefactor member of the NRA. He is a well respected collector with his primary interests in Smith & Wesson pre-war magnums and K-32 revolvers.

I would also like to thank everyone for their memorial donations for my husband, Ray A. Cheely. The Foundation was enhanced by over $10,000 in his memory. This is what he would have wanted—the preservation of the historical records was extremely important to him.

Stay tuned for more updates!

If you would like information on becoming a member of the Foundation it can be found under the S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 tab or email me at [email protected], and I will be happy to send you a brochure.

Thanks!

Sheryl Cheely
SWCA Life Member #1185
SWHF Benefactor
NRA Benefactor
 
Sheryl,
That is great news all around. I am excited to see this coming to fruition.
Dave will be a real asset to the foundation.
I'll see you in Tulsa.
 
Hello, everyone. Just a quick note to let you all know that I processed a batch of memberships and requests for info this evening. I was excited to see the continued interest. Bill Cross and Dave Ballantyne and I are meeting to get updates and ideas at the Tulsa show this weekend. Hopefully will have some more info for you after the show!

In the meantime, I have changed the address for the Foundation to
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
4912 Quail Creek Dr.
Great Bend, KS 67530
620-793-5841

Thanks.

If anyone has questions, feel free to contact me!

Sheryl
 
I would like to join the Historical Foundation, but right now I have 3 son's in College, the oldest just about to graduate Law School after 7 years of total schooling.
I don't drive a 15 year old van with 315,000 miles on it out of choice.
I hope to join eventually when 1 or more of them get out.
I think what you are doing is great for S&W collectors.
 
I have already received valuable information on my .38 HE from the Philly PD from the foundation. An exceptional organization that deserves your support.
 
I was just trying to find information about this group. I am interested in becoming a member. Do you have a webpage up yet? Thanks, and good luck on this worthwhile undertaking.

My great, great grandfather was a special Forces Texas Rangers and it has been a great help that the Texas Rangers Museum and Historical Foundation was able to give me information about the firearm he used so that I could find a replica for my son for Christmas. These records are important.
 
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