Smokeless: in what year(s) were S&W revolvers 1st made for use with smokeless powder?

[Onomea]

I was studying up on the Winchester '94 rifle a few years back and as I recall the Model 1894 was the first rifle designed to shoot smokeless, and the round, the 30-30, the first smokeless round from the git-go.

I'm also curious about the statement above that Colt put the .357 into their SAA in 1935. The .357 didn't exist intil 1935, with the first gun being what we call the S&W registered magnum. I know Colt put the .357 into the New Service shortly after S&W put the .357 on the market, but did not realize that SAAs were made for .357s in the 1930s

I'd love to see one of those...

 

[Glenn s&c]

Originally posted by Onomea:
I'm also curious about the statement above that Colt put the .357 into their SAA in 1935. The .357 didn't exist intil 1935, with the first gun being what we call the S&W registered magnum. I know Colt put the .357 into the New Service shortly after S&W put the .357 on the market, but did not realize that SAAs were made for .357s in the 1930s

I'd love to see one of those...

Between 1935 and January 1940, Colt shipped 525 SAAs and 3 SAA Target. See page 174, 30th Anniv.Ed., A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver; see page 10, Kuhnhausen's SAA Shop Manual.

You'd love to see one of those? See page 183, Study of the Colt SAA

 

[Onomea]

Thanks, Glenn. That's a very rare gun indeed. Do they ever turn up for sale? Is there a survivors list? Whatta they go for? (Maybe my wife will get me one for Christmas.

)

I haven't studied the Colt SAAs -- need to get those books!

 

[Glenn s&c]

Hi, Onomea. I've never seen a First Generation SAA in .357, and never seen a price. In the 2nd and 3rd Generations, the .357 was one of the most popular chamberings, maybe the most popular. I don't know, don't know much at all about the postwar SAAs. But your wife could definitely get you a Second Gen SAA in .357. She should.

 

[harry carey]

1894 winchester was first chambered in 32.40 then 38.55 then 30wcf. all were smokeless barrels.