Now, now, all he wants is for you to post a picture of your revolver. I'd also like to see it.
What's your rarest HE?
- Thread starter LLOYD17
- Start date
Now, now, all he wants is for you to post a picture of your revolver. I'd also like to see it.
Modified
Member
From a pure production #s point of view my 1902 navy:
The problem with the question though is that basically all of my guns now are one-offs because of modifications.
I mean, like, is there more then one of these out there?
or more then a couple of
The problem with the question though is that basically all of my guns now are one-offs because of modifications.
I mean, like, is there more then one of these out there?
or more then a couple of
jlemay69
Member
Rarer HEs: 2nd Model Target & 4th Model Target
lamarw
Member
I assume it is a Model of 1950 - "Pre-Model 26". The number manufactured back then was 2,768. I doubt it is considered rare.
Here's another, a pre war K-32 made from an early 30's M&P target with a factory barrel. The cylinder may an original or a K-22 converted to .32 long. Wish it was an original BUT sure is a nice shooter. The target is at 50 ft from a ransom rest, Larry
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I'd rather be lucky than good
My collecting started on July 3, 2017, when I posted about my grandfather's gun, which turned out to be a RM. I thought it would be neat to get a representation of each model, like a .22, a 38, a 44, a 45, etc. Then the descent into madness started. I had no intention of looking for rare guns, but I have been fortunate to have a few fall into my lap.
Top: an unfired 1917 Commercial.
Second down: a Transitional 357 magnum, the only one to surface with an 8.75 inch barrel. All original. One of the few, maybe only, post war N frame guns with that barrel length. Not sure what else could be out there in that barrel length.
Third: RM 2787, 98%. Hasn't been fired since Grampa died in 1949. A one family RM, maybe only shot by two people. All original. Box, certificate, tools.
Bottom: 44 HE 2nd Model, chambered in 44-40, with a 5 inch barrel. SCSW says it's one of 32 in that configuration, but I haven't seen any others yet. Two guys have said they used to have one.
Inherited one gun, found one on GB, and two came to me via an ad in the newspaper. Also have a 15-0, THE City of Olin Cop gun (1 of 1). Toyman, let me know.
Very educational thread. Thanks Dave
My collecting started on July 3, 2017, when I posted about my grandfather's gun, which turned out to be a RM. I thought it would be neat to get a representation of each model, like a .22, a 38, a 44, a 45, etc. Then the descent into madness started. I had no intention of looking for rare guns, but I have been fortunate to have a few fall into my lap.
Top: an unfired 1917 Commercial.
Second down: a Transitional 357 magnum, the only one to surface with an 8.75 inch barrel. All original. One of the few, maybe only, post war N frame guns with that barrel length. Not sure what else could be out there in that barrel length.
Third: RM 2787, 98%. Hasn't been fired since Grampa died in 1949. A one family RM, maybe only shot by two people. All original. Box, certificate, tools.
Bottom: 44 HE 2nd Model, chambered in 44-40, with a 5 inch barrel. SCSW says it's one of 32 in that configuration, but I haven't seen any others yet. Two guys have said they used to have one.
Inherited one gun, found one on GB, and two came to me via an ad in the newspaper. Also have a 15-0, THE City of Olin Cop gun (1 of 1). Toyman, let me know.
Very educational thread. Thanks Dave
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Messer
Member
Well - as far as rarest S&W HE, I'd have to go with this 32 S&W Long.
I have the factory letter saying it was a custom order by a Mr. Troy Hatfield, with the 3.25" barrel with adjustable sights & target grips. Possibly making it a one of a kind (as far as barrel length with adj. sights goes).
Have fun,
Bob S.
I have the factory letter saying it was a custom order by a Mr. Troy Hatfield, with the 3.25" barrel with adjustable sights & target grips. Possibly making it a one of a kind (as far as barrel length with adj. sights goes).
Have fun,
Bob S.
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I don't think the 3¼" barrel is so unusual, but the adjustable sights and target grips are sure neat!
That's a jim-dandy!
Messer
Member
Yup - I know that the 3.25" was a std. - but not with adj. sights. I corrected my post to show that.
In my original posting about finding this, there was a lot of talk about Troy Hatfield, and how it could be the son Devil Anse Hatfield. I have not dug into that any deeper - but it is fun to think about.
Bob S.
CptCurl
Member
Ok, here's a real teaser:
I snagged an HE today in an auction.
It is of a configuration of which there are only three known.
It will take some time for me to get it in hand, get it lettered, and post more information to the forum. Stay tuned! I don't think it will be a disappointment.
Curl
I snagged an HE today in an auction.
It is of a configuration of which there are only three known.
It will take some time for me to get it in hand, get it lettered, and post more information to the forum. Stay tuned! I don't think it will be a disappointment.
Curl
I have the mate to it. 4" 1905 Target in 38 Spl. with ivory bead ordered by Mr. Hatfield.Well - as far as rarest S&W HE, I'd have to go with this 32 S&W Long.
I have the factory letter saying it was a custom order by a Mr. Troy Hatfield, with the 3.25" barrel with adjustable sights & target grips. Possibly making it a one of a kind (as far as barrel length with adj. sights goes).
Have fun,
Bob S.
Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk
Messer
Member
I have the mate to it. 4" 1905 Target in 38 Spl. with ivory bead ordered by Mr. Hatfield.
Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk
Very Interesting! The 32 was sent out from S&W in 1908, and if it is the Troy Hatfield of the famous Hatfields, he was shot and killed in 1911.
When was yours shipped? Did you get an address it was shipped to?
Bob S.
Bob,
My mistake. Mine went to Troy's brother, Elias. They were killed in the same shootout.
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CptCurl
Member
That kind of teasing is just pure evil, Curl.
It is bad.
It will be three to four weeks before I get the revolver in hand. I'll then photograph it and send for a letter from Roy.
Roy's response will be 6 to 8 weeks, I assume.
Then I will make a request to the S&W Historical Foundation. I don't know how long that may take.
When all the documentation is in hand I will write a spread on this forum.
Not a word till then! It will be worth the wait, I think. Four to six months, I'm guessing.
Curl
Any chance you might be forced to sell me Triple Lock No 15 to replenish funds in your bank account?
Edit: I was supposed to add the grinning emoticon after this--except I actually have no idea how to do that!
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CptCurl
Member
One of these days I'm going to shake the tree. I'm not getting any younger. I keep telling myself not to buy any more guns . . .
My mother always said I was hard-headed.
The grinning emoticon is in the box just to the right of the box where you type your message. Just click on the one you like.
Curl
r3captain
Member
Bob and Bob...(bruce5781 and Messer) ... My GF's dentist is Craig Hatfield....who is the great great grand son of Devil Anse Hatfield. Craig has done extensive family history, much of which is displayed in the waiting room of his practice. He is the proud possessor of Devil Anse's 44-40 Winchester model 1892.
He has a sign on his entry way saying that concealed carry is welcome on his premises. He would probably be happy to address the family connections of the Hatfield that you guys are looking at as owners of your guns. His practice has a Facebook page, with contact information in it. Located in Fairmont, WV.
Just remembered this pic...his contact information are in the picture!!
Best Regards, Les
He has a sign on his entry way saying that concealed carry is welcome on his premises. He would probably be happy to address the family connections of the Hatfield that you guys are looking at as owners of your guns. His practice has a Facebook page, with contact information in it. Located in Fairmont, WV.
Just remembered this pic...his contact information are in the picture!!
Best Regards, Les
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Messer
Member
Hi Les,
Man - if he was closer I'd have a new dentist!
I'll send him a email, maybe we can get some solid answers.
Thanks,
Bob S.
Man - if he was closer I'd have a new dentist!
I'll send him a email, maybe we can get some solid answers.
Thanks,
Bob S.
This one. As far as I can tell, it's one-of-a-kind.
Read about it here. An Outdoorsman Becomes a Triple Lock....
Read about it here. An Outdoorsman Becomes a Triple Lock....
I belong to a unit of the North-South Skirmish Association and we have several Hatfield members. And yes, they all shoot real good!
FifthWheel
US Veteran
These are now memories, about to be someone else's new finds; as David Carroll carted them all off to be sold over the balance of the year.
New Model #3 Target #3914----this one chambered in "38 WINCHESTER CTG" instead of the regular old 32-44 and 38-44 S&W. One of not hardly.
7 1/2" Triple Lock Target #3976----one of what Mr. Jinks opines is 250 to 500----which sort of sounds like he doesn't know, and I don't either.
Model of '91 6" Target revolver #22530---one of an unknown number, pretty much all of which were shipped somewhere besides around here.
A 6" 2nd Model Single Shot #3944---one of those special orders for a single unit, and one of some few more---wherever they are.
8" 3rd Model Single Shot #4826---another special order for a single unit, joined by four more on the Club Gun List, and I've never seen nor heard of another----but who knows?
A regular, everyday 6 1/2" Triple Lock #10688 which paid a visit to Mr. King and his lads, and came back as a Super Target conversion. The only one I've ever held in my hands, but it figures there's more out there somewhere.
6" 3rd Model Single Shot #4807---one of three or four I've seen in the past 50 years or so, and I hope anybody who knows about how many there really are will tell us. I heard one of ten awhile back, but I don't believe a word of it.
This is a K-22 2nd Model #682435, the rarest of the K-22's, but not hardly rare---maybe sort of scarce; but this one was given to Philip B. Sharpe----one of one.
K-32 1st Model #681819. Yep----first model----for real. I couldn't believe it either, but there it was----looking for a good home.
Here's one of those big thumpers that came after the Triple Lock----a Model of 1926 Target #54911. It's one of less than 50, 100, or 200---depending on what book you read---one of those that sounds like nobody knows.
These last two can go together, 'cause they're pretty much the same---a K-32 2nd Model #K58970 and a K-32 3rd Model #K232389. They're not rare, maybe sort of scarce, but they wanted to keep that first model company.
Happy hunting!!
Ralph Tremaine
New Model #3 Target #3914----this one chambered in "38 WINCHESTER CTG" instead of the regular old 32-44 and 38-44 S&W. One of not hardly.
7 1/2" Triple Lock Target #3976----one of what Mr. Jinks opines is 250 to 500----which sort of sounds like he doesn't know, and I don't either.
Model of '91 6" Target revolver #22530---one of an unknown number, pretty much all of which were shipped somewhere besides around here.
A 6" 2nd Model Single Shot #3944---one of those special orders for a single unit, and one of some few more---wherever they are.
8" 3rd Model Single Shot #4826---another special order for a single unit, joined by four more on the Club Gun List, and I've never seen nor heard of another----but who knows?
A regular, everyday 6 1/2" Triple Lock #10688 which paid a visit to Mr. King and his lads, and came back as a Super Target conversion. The only one I've ever held in my hands, but it figures there's more out there somewhere.
6" 3rd Model Single Shot #4807---one of three or four I've seen in the past 50 years or so, and I hope anybody who knows about how many there really are will tell us. I heard one of ten awhile back, but I don't believe a word of it.
This is a K-22 2nd Model #682435, the rarest of the K-22's, but not hardly rare---maybe sort of scarce; but this one was given to Philip B. Sharpe----one of one.
K-32 1st Model #681819. Yep----first model----for real. I couldn't believe it either, but there it was----looking for a good home.
Here's one of those big thumpers that came after the Triple Lock----a Model of 1926 Target #54911. It's one of less than 50, 100, or 200---depending on what book you read---one of those that sounds like nobody knows.
These last two can go together, 'cause they're pretty much the same---a K-32 2nd Model #K58970 and a K-32 3rd Model #K232389. They're not rare, maybe sort of scarce, but they wanted to keep that first model company.
Happy hunting!!
Ralph Tremaine
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Ralph, I hope you kept something,that is quite a pile. I daydream of walking in a gun shop and seeing a mislabeled MP Target with 32 long on the side of the bbl.
This thread has proven to be very time consuming, my thanks to the OP and to all of the posters....I like em all and spent considerable time trying to pick a favorite.
This is my rarest, a 2nd Model H.E. 44 that was shipped back to the factory twice in the same year, once for a target conversion, then again for a complete refinish.
This is my rarest, a 2nd Model H.E. 44 that was shipped back to the factory twice in the same year, once for a target conversion, then again for a complete refinish.
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My rarest is this Model of 1946 Target, aka the 1946 Mexican because that's where most of them were shipped in 1946 and 1947. I don't think anyone has any idea how many of these may still exist south of the border. A minimum of 2100 seem to have been produced, and perhaps as many as 3000. The data available is a little ambiguous.
This is one of four specimens that are above the horizon at the moment. There may be a few more in the hands of out-of-sight collectors.
I have a few other seldom-seens in the safe, but this is the one I am happiest to be responsible for at this stage of its life.
This is one of four specimens that are above the horizon at the moment. There may be a few more in the hands of out-of-sight collectors.
I have a few other seldom-seens in the safe, but this is the one I am happiest to be responsible for at this stage of its life.
Very fine, David. So nice to see this. I've enjoyed our interaction over these seldom-seen revolvers. If I come up with any further information about one or more of them, I will be sure to let you know.
That one is a dandy.
That one is a dandy.
This may or may not be my rarest. Its certainly close. It's definitely my favorite!
S&W .44 Magnum 5 screw 4" barrel.
Per Doc44 it's one of approximately 200 4" examples shipped the 1st year of production .
Pics are from seller.
The rarest that I let go of was a Nickel 2nd Model 22 Hand Ejector Lady Smith. I sold it to a collector of these tiny M frames.
22 2nd Model HE No longer mine..
S&W .44 Magnum 5 screw 4" barrel.
Per Doc44 it's one of approximately 200 4" examples shipped the 1st year of production .
Pics are from seller.
The rarest that I let go of was a Nickel 2nd Model 22 Hand Ejector Lady Smith. I sold it to a collector of these tiny M frames.
22 2nd Model HE No longer mine..
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