The Holy Grail Smith

[martyd]

Just curious.

What model Smith would be considered the Holy Grail for a collector?

I see some comments by the authors in 4th Ed Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson regarding rarity of various models.

However, I imagine there has to be one or two models collectors would kill for which perhaps are not listed the the 4th edition.

I will try to obtain a copy of Roy G. Jinks book.

I doubt I will be able to find and afford a copy of Smith & Wesson by Neal and Jinks but I will try anyway.

Thanks,
Marty D.

 

[TheHobbyist]

While your question may appear simple and straightforward on the surface, there are a multitude of considerations, variants, prevailing market and personal opinions.

Perhaps the inverse would be the best place to start; that is, what is your pinnacle of ownership and why did you derive to that conclusion?

 

[deadin]

I'm sure that every collector has a different "Holy Grail"
For many it would be a Registered Magnum (which really isn't all that rare, just expensive.)
You might try to find a 1st model 32 DA top-break. (Not everybody's cup of tea, but very rare). I'm sure there are others....

 

[ruger 22]

I am not a collector but with my son we are avid Smith shooters. Rather than call them'holy grail', we use the term 'must haves' and so far we have gotten a 63 (for my son's 14th birthday, he is now 54), a model 17-1, a 34-2 2", a 28-2 4", a 686 and my daily carry a 649-2. Our 44 mag choice is a Ruger SBH and to date we have not yet been bitten by the 50 cal bug. Of course that could change very quickly depending what we see at our local gun shows.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

According to Mrs. Wiregrassguy, all my guns are Grail Guns that should be filled with hemlock and served to me in a Spielberg movie. When I tried to explain that wasn't practical because all the fluid would drain out, she gave me that stare. That woman is totally humorless.

 

[Memphis]

That Reg Mag with registration number "1" has GOT to be at least near the top. Does it still exist.... I think it does. Does anybody know where it is... I think they do. Do "I"? Not even remotely. I love the mistique.

Roger

 

[mikerjf]

Reg Mag #1 would certainly be up there... as would JFK's service revolver, tho it might be kinda rusty after its dunking.

 

[iby]

Since you posted this in the "Antiques" section, I would suggest a Model 1 First issue, first variation.
or a S&W lever action pistol

 

[glowe]

Since you asked in the Antique Section, I would say there are two on my list of grail guns, but have never owned either.

First would be the 320 Revolving Rifle in its original case with shoulder stock. There were only 977 made and not near that many exist today. They came in a 16", 18", and 20" barrel lengths.

The second for me would be the US Army Model 3 American revolver made around 1871. It is important because it was a very significant gun for Smith & Wesson, being the first successful large frame revolver made by the company. Second because the US Army ordered only 1,000 some 150 years ago this year., and third because the survival rate is undoubtedly low.

 

[hkcavalier]

This term means something different to everyone.

A unique gun with a known location/owner can't be a Holy Grail gun to someone else. It's been found. It's their Holy Grail, not yours.

I don't understand why seeking anything but a very specific Registered Magnum qualifies either. Bust out the credit card, cash out the IRA, take out a loan on your house...you can get a RM at auction or FS on a regular basis. But if you're seeking a specific RM lost to history, that's a Holy Grail.

I am of the belief that the .22LR Registered Magnum is the ultimate Holy Grail S&W. But I also believe it's in a private collection of an individual or family that's very quiet about the whole affair.

 

[mrcvs]

Being posted in the "Antique" section, I assume you mean a rather desirable antique, but with condition.

How about a First Model American with Oil Hole, and with condition?

 

[mrcvs]

If that doesn't suit your fancy, maybe you desire something with condition and a rare barrel length. How about a New Model No 3 with an 8 inch barrel?

 

[mrcvs]

If you desire something more compact, how about a few Baby Russians in their original boxes, take your pick, nickel or blue. Look closely, the nickel one still has the desirable wrench with it.

 

[mrcvs]

Or, maybe you are referring to a Third Model Perfected Single Shot pistol. Not an antique, as it shipped Dec of 1911, but top breaks are posted in this section. The condition doesn't get any better and it has a rare knurled trigger.

 

[H Richard]

The Holy Grail would depend on what YOU are interested in collecting. It could be a 6" M Frame Target, or a Model 29 owned by some famous movie actor. Not everyone would have the same "Holy Grail".

 

[Model46]

My Holy Grail gun was the K22/40. I found one last fall after years of searching.

 

[deadin]

Well Gary,

I can say that I have owned each of your "grail guns".
Well.... almost... The Revolving Rifle wasn't cased and was in nowhere any kind of condition. (Below poor, but I fired it just so I could say I had.)
The No. 3 American (oil hole) didn't have the "US" marking.... but was close...... Oh well..... I tried.


I think the most scarce gun I have ever owned is a Springfield M1875 Officers Model. It's not the prettiest one around but is one of only around 477 made.
The best part is I still own it, so it really no longer qualifies as a grail gun for me. (It's not the be all, end all....)


I know where there is a Colt M1902 Military Contract (200 made) that could be had but the owner is afraid to sell it because he feels he will be short changed. (The gun does have some problems and probably won't bring what the big auction houses seem to think they're worth.)

 

[outta_ammo]

I doubt I will be able to find and afford a copy of Smith & Wesson by Neal and Jinks but I will try anyway.

The Neal & Jinks book is readily available on amazon. You can pick up a used edition right now for $40.

Just like guns, I buy my books used when available. Oddly, the words are all still there.

 

[Vidd]

Holy grail gun

What I believe is a Holy Grail gun? if I can ever find who had it built and used it in which Olympics the story goes it was made in 1910 for the 1912 National Olympics

 

[Hair Trigger]

Just curious.
What model Smith would be considered the Holy Grail for a collector?

You must choose, but choose wisely.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0TalLrtZ24[/ame]