The Holy Grail Smith
- Thread starter martyd
- Start date
new2S&W
Member
I am fortunate to be the proud caretaker for an original 1 of 1000 US marked model 3 Americans with the "oil hole" and factory letter from Roy Jinks. Not bad considering our family had it for over 70 years without knowing the history or importance of the weapon.
Dumb luck? Absolutely!
Dumb luck? Absolutely!
Attachments
Last edited:
mmaher94087
Member
"However, I imagine there has to be one or two models collectors would kill for which perhaps are not listed the the 4th edition."
My opinion, since this question was asked in the Antique section of the forum: Only a very few Experimental models would not be listed in the 4th edition of the SCSW as they would be one-off Smith & Wesson's that have not been discovered to date. Since the database of Smith & Wesson has been updated from 1965 to the present, it's hard to believe that there are very many firearms that haven't been cataloged.
My opinion, since this question was asked in the Antique section of the forum: Only a very few Experimental models would not be listed in the 4th edition of the SCSW as they would be one-off Smith & Wesson's that have not been discovered to date. Since the database of Smith & Wesson has been updated from 1965 to the present, it's hard to believe that there are very many firearms that haven't been cataloged.
I think it sort of depends on how deep your pockets are. Now if we are really dreaming I would probably pick Elmer Keith's first 44 Magnum
mmaher94087
Member
Again, asked in the Antique section: "What model Smith would be considered the Holy Grail for a collector?"
My list :
Model 1, 1st Issue, 1st Type. ~15 known to exist. THE holy grail.
Model 1, 2nd Issue. Early, square-cut side plate. Unknown small quantity.
.32DA Double Action. 30 manufactured.
My list :
Model 1, 1st Issue, 1st Type. ~15 known to exist. THE holy grail.
Model 1, 2nd Issue. Early, square-cut side plate. Unknown small quantity.
.32DA Double Action. 30 manufactured.
The Holy Grail?
I'm a fan of Smith & Wesson rarity myself...In my mind I don't think that there is any manufactured Smith & Wesson as rare as the Number 3 tip up revolver in .41 Rimfire 4 shot.
Only four have been documented. Three were sent to the Paris Exposition in 1867 and disappeared after the event. Only one other was documented in a private collection. I'm not aware of any others that exist today. Estimated at 50 manufactured and I personally don't believe that 50 were actually manufactured and "assembled" . More likely a handful and the unassembled parts remaining went back into the metal pot. This due to an unfortunate event that took place at the Exposition during a firing trial that ended Smith & Wesson's interest in that caliber.
This variation is my personal Holy Grail. I don't need to own it....I'd just like to actually see one before I die. In hand.
Murph
I'm a fan of Smith & Wesson rarity myself...In my mind I don't think that there is any manufactured Smith & Wesson as rare as the Number 3 tip up revolver in .41 Rimfire 4 shot.
Only four have been documented. Three were sent to the Paris Exposition in 1867 and disappeared after the event. Only one other was documented in a private collection. I'm not aware of any others that exist today. Estimated at 50 manufactured and I personally don't believe that 50 were actually manufactured and "assembled" . More likely a handful and the unassembled parts remaining went back into the metal pot. This due to an unfortunate event that took place at the Exposition during a firing trial that ended Smith & Wesson's interest in that caliber.
This variation is my personal Holy Grail. I don't need to own it....I'd just like to actually see one before I die. In hand.
Murph
Attachments
StrawHat
Member
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
Within the range of revolvers I typically like, a M520 would most likely be my Grail gun.
For me right now it's a S&W 1917 .45 Colt in original condition unfired or little fired. A friend has one but he doesn't want to let it go just yet because it belonged to his friend, who ended his life with it. MY friend believes that it may be cursed and he doesn't want to pass on something which may cause me to take the ultimate trip. If I was going to do that I'd a done it long ago with one of my other pistols.
I've been fortunate in that I've worked in a gun store and been part owner of one and had access to many Holy Grails but usually couldn't find the funds to buy them. When the widow of the owner of the gun store where I worked came to my store she brought me a box of guns she found hidden about her house. In the box I found a Colt Officers Model in .45 ACP. Not a Holy Grail, but near as close as I'm likely to get.
I've had many good buys which have filled out my inventory. I was never a fan of Winchester M-70's until I got my .30-06. One trip to the range and I was convinced this is a gun everyone aught to own.
I've been fortunate in that I've worked in a gun store and been part owner of one and had access to many Holy Grails but usually couldn't find the funds to buy them. When the widow of the owner of the gun store where I worked came to my store she brought me a box of guns she found hidden about her house. In the box I found a Colt Officers Model in .45 ACP. Not a Holy Grail, but near as close as I'm likely to get.
I've had many good buys which have filled out my inventory. I was never a fan of Winchester M-70's until I got my .30-06. One trip to the range and I was convinced this is a gun everyone aught to own.
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2000
- Messages
- 2,297
- Reaction score
- 2,483
I'll throw-in for the experimental C-frame...
That sucker would sell like a winner these days...
That sucker would sell like a winner these days...
for me.. and a few more people.. though it is not an antique..
the model 28-1 is that magic object.. only one know to exist so far... that is pretty Holy Grail to me...
the model 28-1 is that magic object.. only one know to exist so far... that is pretty Holy Grail to me...
Baltimoreed11754
Member
My grail Smith would be an original .455 Triplelock. Doesn't have to have any provenance.
OP
Wow!
When I posted my question I was thinking about really rare, rare guns.
It did not occur to me that everyone, including myself, has a Holy Grail desire which is unique to what they collect or shoot.
What lead me to post my question was coming across a statement somewhere, do not remember, which said the Holy Grail for Smith collectors would be a Smith revolving rifle which would sell for well over $20,000. I then wondered if it was a true statement. I did a search on line for sales of the 320 rifle and found several sold below $15,000.
I know any firearm owned by a noted personality could sell for, possibly 6 digits, perhaps more.
So, I guess there really isn't a True Holy Grail Smith firearm for everyone.
Thanks,
Marty D
When I posted my question I was thinking about really rare, rare guns.
It did not occur to me that everyone, including myself, has a Holy Grail desire which is unique to what they collect or shoot.
What lead me to post my question was coming across a statement somewhere, do not remember, which said the Holy Grail for Smith collectors would be a Smith revolving rifle which would sell for well over $20,000. I then wondered if it was a true statement. I did a search on line for sales of the 320 rifle and found several sold below $15,000.
I know any firearm owned by a noted personality could sell for, possibly 6 digits, perhaps more.
So, I guess there really isn't a True Holy Grail Smith firearm for everyone.
Thanks,
Marty D
For me it's going to be an 1899 target 32-20. Then a 1902 target, 1905 1st and 2nd change targets in 32-20. The hunt continues :.
deadin
US Veteran
A "Holy Grail" is a moving target. Regardless of what your grail gun is, if you obtain it a different grail gun will replace it.
Or are you saying that "If I could just get that "???" I will never need to get another gun......Really??
Or are you saying that "If I could just get that "???" I will never need to get another gun......Really??
mikeruns
Member
Mine would probably be Gary Cooper's or Jimmy Stewart's Registered magnum….or if Randolph Scot owned one-that would do it for me too, providing it had a 6" or shorter bbl…I just don't warm up to the longer barreled guns unless they are rimfire Buntlines….my own strange ideas lol
Mine would be an old M&P .38 with a 4" barrel, white plastic stocks and most of the finish worn off. It used to be my father's. it was the first handgun I ever shot. It was stolen 35 or so years ago and even the serial # is lost to history. I wouldn't know it if I held it in my hand.
But I want it back.
But I want it back.
Wanting Things Makes Us Happier Than Having Them be that a woman, car or a gun........
I want for none of them as I have all three.....
I want for none of them as I have all three.....
Similar threads
