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If you have more than you can shoot 200 rounds a year out of, you're a collector. If you have ones you don't shoot, you're a collector.
What makes a S&W collector?
- Thread starter peterdeb
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I really enjoyed reading through this Thread and absorbing all of the different opinions on what makes a "collector". I'm not sure that it's in the right Forum section, but it's a fun Thread and I'll throw my hat into the ring.
I'm still not sure in what category I belong. Although I have what I call a "modest collection" (around 60 firearms, half of which are vintage S&W revolvers), I don't consider myself a collector. Perhaps more in the Accumulator camp! Some of my S&Ws are in beautiful condition, but they're not pristine or ANIB. They are all shooters. I also enjoy adopting stray and unloved revolvers and giving them some TLC. I can truly appreciate the large and extraordinary collections of many of our esteemed Forum members, and I'm thankful that they are acting as the caretakers for these fine vintage firearms. Whatever group you're in...enjoy!
I'm still not sure in what category I belong. Although I have what I call a "modest collection" (around 60 firearms, half of which are vintage S&W revolvers), I don't consider myself a collector. Perhaps more in the Accumulator camp! Some of my S&Ws are in beautiful condition, but they're not pristine or ANIB. They are all shooters. I also enjoy adopting stray and unloved revolvers and giving them some TLC. I can truly appreciate the large and extraordinary collections of many of our esteemed Forum members, and I'm thankful that they are acting as the caretakers for these fine vintage firearms. Whatever group you're in...enjoy!
USBP SW
Member
I have always considered myself an accumulator, probably because I bought the things that I liked to shoot. It just happened that the things I liked to shoot were Smith and Wessons. The accumulator title was reinforced by the local gun stores, they always offered the choice inventory to the dedicated collectors. The store owners were quite upset every time I managed to put my name on something before they could offer it to the dedicated collector.
I like guns that I can shoot, even if I do not shoot them. I have a couple of shotguns, both out of Fulton New York, and neither is pristine, one is refinished they both kill birds and bunnies. I have an inventory of handguns, from percussion through the various WWI automatics. Some revolvers and some Autos. I think I am an accumulator with some special interests, I think unfired is unused and unloved. A pristine antique woodworking tool is usually one that does not work very well.
ColumbusJBR
Member
Not sure what I'd call myself. I now have 12 S&W revolvers, all but 2 pre-lock (I don't hate/love the lock, I just think the pre-locks seem fit better, almost always have better/smoother action). That number will surely grow.
But when my wife recently accused me of now collecting them, I couldn't really refute her. I have more S&W revolvers than any other type of gun now. I almost never carry any of them, I even have some I've never shot, for various reasons... I just like them! I do, to an extent, view a lot of the pre-locks as not necessarily an investment (some certainly are), but as a reallocation of funds that won't lose value, and I can play with!
Something that has likely saved me some coin over the last few years is my lack of caring about box/papers/tools. As one of my customers years ago wisely said "I don't collect cardboard". To each their own.
But when my wife recently accused me of now collecting them, I couldn't really refute her. I have more S&W revolvers than any other type of gun now. I almost never carry any of them, I even have some I've never shot, for various reasons... I just like them! I do, to an extent, view a lot of the pre-locks as not necessarily an investment (some certainly are), but as a reallocation of funds that won't lose value, and I can play with!
Something that has likely saved me some coin over the last few years is my lack of caring about box/papers/tools. As one of my customers years ago wisely said "I don't collect cardboard". To each their own.
.455_Hunter
Member
Yup- The concept of consternating over things like the S&W brown paper wrap is amusing to me.
Me it's anything magnum in a Pre-Lock K/L/N Frame with at least a shroud over the extractor rod! I have in the Box / Presentation box and no box And I'm not prejudiced on what color the gun is. I would have to say that the model 29-2 and the model 648 are my favorites but I'll admit I love them all!
Tom
Tom
SWFan27
Member
I don't know what constitutes a collection, but I am about to get my fourth Smith & Wesson revolver. That is the extent of my current collection, and I want more. As far as revolvers go, I am only interested in Smith & Wessons.
I have an odd cross section of older and very old S&W's, plus a few newer. After 26 years working in a museum, I came to appreciate the skills of the gunsmiths who built them.
1913 nickeled 38 HE, 1923 nickeled 44 HE, 1947 K-22, 1948 K-38, all 6". Also a 1950 M&P 38 2". The 44 is pristine factory finish. The 1913 and the '47 and '48 are a little more used. My 1950 M&P duplicates the second S&W I owned, a lifetime ago. The following "earlier" old ones are J's - two 1983's - blue 36 and nickel 38, and a 1972 60. Then two 3rd gens - a 1987 3913 and 1988 6906.
My newer ones are a 2019 617-6 and a 637-2 from 2017. The 1913 and 1923 are still unfired by me, but that will soon change when I get some factory equivalent loads built for them.
The M&P Pre-10 is amazingly accurate with 148gr wadcutters, and 158gr SWC. The 1947 K-38 a close second.
Collector? Yes. Shooter? Yes.
1913 nickeled 38 HE, 1923 nickeled 44 HE, 1947 K-22, 1948 K-38, all 6". Also a 1950 M&P 38 2". The 44 is pristine factory finish. The 1913 and the '47 and '48 are a little more used. My 1950 M&P duplicates the second S&W I owned, a lifetime ago. The following "earlier" old ones are J's - two 1983's - blue 36 and nickel 38, and a 1972 60. Then two 3rd gens - a 1987 3913 and 1988 6906.
My newer ones are a 2019 617-6 and a 637-2 from 2017. The 1913 and 1923 are still unfired by me, but that will soon change when I get some factory equivalent loads built for them.
The M&P Pre-10 is amazingly accurate with 148gr wadcutters, and 158gr SWC. The 1947 K-38 a close second.
Collector? Yes. Shooter? Yes.
Last week a young friend showed interest in my old revolvers by asking for a quick history of the of Smith & Wesson N frame. I was able to show a selection of N frames, decade by decade, beginning with the Triplelock and ending at the 329 Night Guard, along with examples of the J, K, and L frames. Later I realized that I had just presented and discussed 100 years of S&W history and engineering changes. All of it with shooters, many with a story to tell. I think that sums up my collecting interest and accumulation.
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“Collector” is a subjective term and applied…subjectively. 
Some people give themselves the title, some have the title given to them whether they like it or not. And accumulators or enthusiasts may just be in serious denial!
Some people give themselves the title, some have the title given to them whether they like it or not. And accumulators or enthusiasts may just be in serious denial!
Definitely collecting!
I'm on mission to collect all of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen auto loaders. On the way, I've picked up some other pieces that I thought were interesting or could use for EDC. I have also acquired a few of the M&P semi-auto line and I suppose when I get all of the 1, 2 and 3 gens or "hit a wall" waiting for a few rare models to show up, I'll focus on the M&P's.
I also love the revolvers. I have all of the J frames, working on the model 10 and 15's, but there are so many and so many variants, I'm not thinking I will ever get them all.
I am, I suppose, an "investing" collector but also an enthusiastic shooter, so it is fun to take one for a spin every now and then to experience shooting something made 50, 60 or even 70 years ago. Anyway, I have fun cleaning, polishing and repairing minor flaws and shooting them when I need a little target practice.
I'm on mission to collect all of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen auto loaders. On the way, I've picked up some other pieces that I thought were interesting or could use for EDC. I have also acquired a few of the M&P semi-auto line and I suppose when I get all of the 1, 2 and 3 gens or "hit a wall" waiting for a few rare models to show up, I'll focus on the M&P's.
I also love the revolvers. I have all of the J frames, working on the model 10 and 15's, but there are so many and so many variants, I'm not thinking I will ever get them all.
I am, I suppose, an "investing" collector but also an enthusiastic shooter, so it is fun to take one for a spin every now and then to experience shooting something made 50, 60 or even 70 years ago. Anyway, I have fun cleaning, polishing and repairing minor flaws and shooting them when I need a little target practice.
GypsmJim
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I like NIB, but I won't pay more for the box or I wouldn't turn one down if it didn't have the box.
If I DO buy a NIB I shoot it anyway. I have no intention of selling any in my "collection", I am not interested in making a profit, and my heirs can do as they please when I'm gone.
If I DO buy a NIB I shoot it anyway. I have no intention of selling any in my "collection", I am not interested in making a profit, and my heirs can do as they please when I'm gone.
IMHO .........
There are a lot more "Accumulators" than "Collectors".
Lots of "purchases of opportunity" vs "focused searches"
In the end one still ends up with a "collection" of firearms!!
There are a lot more "Accumulators" than "Collectors".
Lots of "purchases of opportunity" vs "focused searches"
In the end one still ends up with a "collection" of firearms!!
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Yes, and being just a little bit crazy.
Embrace it and join the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association.
15 or so years ago I advanced from Enthusiast to Collector and have never looked back. A very fun ride. It's all about how you view yourself and your passion.
A photo of some of the accumulated 3.5" 357 Magnums and boxes that I have enthusiastically collected over the years...
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Lots of "purchases of opportunity" Yup, that's about 90%+ of my pile o' N-frames.
Inkgardener
Member
What makes a S&W collector?
I consider myself an enthusiast since I shoot all of mine. I like many of the older guns and AT THIS POINT don’t care about boxes or non fired or anything that comes with them.
Several months ago I owned a Glock and another semi auto. I wasn’t really a handgun guy. I have always wanted a shiny 357 and a hunting revolver, not knowing or really caring which brand.
After jumping into 7 S&W’s within a 6 week timeframe I know have a half dozen must haves on my list. I am sure I will pick up many others along the way.
I have discovered that S&W revolvers are now a passion of mine and I have been researching them every day since.
It appears I’ll be a collector one day…
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I consider myself an enthusiast since I shoot all of mine. I like many of the older guns and AT THIS POINT don’t care about boxes or non fired or anything that comes with them.
Several months ago I owned a Glock and another semi auto. I wasn’t really a handgun guy. I have always wanted a shiny 357 and a hunting revolver, not knowing or really caring which brand.
After jumping into 7 S&W’s within a 6 week timeframe I know have a half dozen must haves on my list. I am sure I will pick up many others along the way.
I have discovered that S&W revolvers are now a passion of mine and I have been researching them every day since.
It appears I’ll be a collector one day…
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think most of us start out as accumulators then we find "the one" that is just right and makes our hearts go pitty-pat and we start collecting other examples or variations of "the one".
In my case, I collect 1950 Target .44 Specials with 4" barrels....
...but then I realized that the First Model, Second Model, and Third Model .44 Specials were also fun, so I had to have some of those.
I have also accumulated a wide variety of guns that I thought were pretty or interesting or just plain different. Never in my life did I say "I want a 6" Regulation Police Target in .32 Long" but when I saw one for sale I grabbed it because it was unique. Then I bought a 1905 Target .38 because it looked like a big brother to the .32 and they made a neat pair.
Now that I think about it, you should probably run away while you still can. There is no hope of many of us here...
In my case, I collect 1950 Target .44 Specials with 4" barrels....
...but then I realized that the First Model, Second Model, and Third Model .44 Specials were also fun, so I had to have some of those.
I have also accumulated a wide variety of guns that I thought were pretty or interesting or just plain different. Never in my life did I say "I want a 6" Regulation Police Target in .32 Long" but when I saw one for sale I grabbed it because it was unique. Then I bought a 1905 Target .38 because it looked like a big brother to the .32 and they made a neat pair.
Now that I think about it, you should probably run away while you still can. There is no hope of many of us here...
