Working Guns

[Dakota Iron]

I really enjoy the beautiful pictures of the pristine revolvers that
the members here share with us. I would like to start a new
post of working guns, not really in the collector category anymore because of their used status but valued more than a
pristine 5 screw because of all the history there. Here is my
favorite working gun, a 4 screw, 4" pre-29 that I have owned
for 30 something years.
What do you have that is the to go to revolver?

 

[labrtvr]

The model 60(no dash) was my BUG for over 30 years. I still carry it today now that I am retired as my CCW. The model 17-4 routinely goes to the range and along on camping trips. I have had the model 17 almost as long as the model 60. Both are true working guns and could tell many stories.

 

[wheelgun610]

This one was originally shipped to Mexico, then subsequently, re-imported to the US. Wish I knew the stories behind this well-worn .44.... It's even still wearing its factory original stocks.

Mark

 

[29aholic]

Working guns

I have a few, all modified by owners to suit their purposes.

An 85 vintage 29-3 bought new and modified by me.

A 1950 Target 44spl modified and sporting a cutback 44 mag cylinder.

An early 70's 29-2 some previous owner had electric sights...unfortunately they dont work anymore.

Pics of the sights.
Front

Rear

 

[DCWilson]

I feel like a wimp showing working guns that got their experience in somebody else's work, but these came to me as you see them, and I respect the lives they lived that led them to look like this.

First, a 1934 Heavy Duty that reportedly once belonged to an Oklahoma lawman. Lore says it subsequently changed hands in a poker game sometime during the '50s. It came to me with franzite grips, but I put these old Grashorn stags on it. The lighting conceals the fact that the finish is pretty thin here and there.

The other gun is another Heavy Duty, 1932 this time. It still has its original wood. This one looks like it traveled a few more miles of road than the other one. There are dents, nicks and dings all over it.

Guns that get worn from neglect get my pity and as much care as I can give them, but guns that get worn from extended service get my respect. And these are two respectable guns. Both of them shoot pretty well for me, and I think I am about to promote one of them to home defense service and let a J-frame go back in the safe.

 

[Dakota Iron]

These are pre 1950 K22 revolvers that belonged to my Father.
I learned to shoot with the magna stocked one, Dad would not
let me shoot the target stocked model.

 

[DWFAN]

I have two that I actually use. First is an early 1905 forth change SN 291666 cut to 3 3/4 inches with modified target stocks stuffed into a Bucheimer Holster. Whoever owned this gun thought a lot of it. It has the sweetest single and double action you will ever want. It is my personal favorite. It's tight as a clock and shoots to point of aim with an FBI load.

This second gun is an early sixties heavy barrel M&P that I call my truck gun. It rattles and shakes, and has blood stains on it and I would trust it to fire every time. It doesn't spit and puts em on a five inch circle at ten yards.

Except for a three inch military sight 60-3 that I carry for dress up in a Tom Three Persons style holster these two guns are always by me.
DW

 

[model70hunter]

These are pre 1950 K22 revolvers that belonged to my Father.
I learned to shoot with the magna stocked one, Dad would not
let me shoot the target stocked model.

Nice pair of K-22's. If you inherited them I'm sorry about the loss of your father. My brother and I inherited our Dad's guns 2 years ago. We'd rather have him. He is missed at deer camp. How does the target stocked one shoot?

 

[Sgt 127]

Louisiana State Police RM

5" MP

Combat Masterpiece

 

[serialsolver]

Here is my Wolf and Klar 44 shipped in April 1927. I got it from a dealer with a letter from Mr. Jinks and the stag grips on it. This is the most used and abused handgun I think I have ever owned. It did not have enough carry up. I tried to stretch the hand and broke it. Luckily a new oversize hand dropped in and corrected the carry up. The cylinder had been closed Hollywood style so much the recoil shield was damaged. I had to do some judicious filing on it to correct that. It has been refinished in nickel and is somewhat buffed out. I took it to the range and it shot terrible. I got to looking at it and the side of the barrel was worn down into the crown. I recrowned it and now it shoots great. One can tell this gun was carried and used a lot. Since handguns are the tools of my trade, guns carried and use lot have special meaning to me. I attempted to contact the person who lettered it and was told by his family that he had recently past away. When I told them the nature of my call I was told "Oh he could have told you all about that gun and would have loved to tell you about it". Not getting to talk with him is my biggest regret in owning this gun.

 

[kscardsfan]

Louisiana State Police RM

5" MP

Combat Masterpiece

I would absoultely kill for that LSP Registered gun.

 

[ENGINE18]

Great slices of S&W history!

 

[pistola]

Model 10-1

 

[whitecoyote]

S&W 1905 Second Change.

 

[Sgt 127]

I would absoultely kill for that LSP Registered gun.

You don't actually know where I live or anything.....do you?

 

[Dakota Iron]

I really enjoy looking at all these old favorites, if they could talk.
Can't resist adding this 5 screw, 5" pre 27 that my Father bought
new Billings Mont in 56 or 57, it is smooth as silk.

 

[CJKarl]

My late grandfather's pistol. He was a small town constable and a CT State Police Aux.
Can anyone tell me a little about it? How do I find out the year of manufacture?

 

[Mitch_D]

1905, 4th Change

From about 1933...
I wish I could tell you more about this gun. Maybe Raymond Chandler knows the story.

 

[Mitch_D]

Dakota:
Your Dad's Magnum is a beauty.
I'll bet it's a joy to shoot.

 

[Buford57]

My late grandfather's pistol. He was a small town constable and a CT State Police Aux.
Can anyone tell me a little about it? How do I find out the year of manufacture?

It is a K38 Combat Masterpiece. When the numbering system was instituted (about 1957) this model was called the Model 15. Collectors call this a 5-screw Pre-15. I call an honestly used cop's gun.

 

[CJKarl]

Thanks for the info.

 

[DCWilson]

Thanks for the info.

CJ, if you give us a partial serial number (like K125xxx) we can narrow down to a probable year of manufacture. Right now we know it's between 1956 (when the top sideplate screw went away) and late 1948 (when the company introduced the four-line address block in the frame in front of the sideplate). I'm guessing from the shoulder contour on the stocks that your grandfather's gun was manufactured in the latter half of that range. But that assumes that the stocks on the gun were shipped on the gun, which is not always the case. You might want to pull the stocks and see if the numerals impressed on the inside surface of the right panel match the serial number of the gun (omitting the K).

 

[Mack]

A would say these WW vets maybe fall into the working gun catagory. The 1917 is British marked so may be two war Lend Lease return.

And this former Mississippi Highway Patrol Non Reg Mag was maybe carried a bit, been back to the factory 3 times. Letters to Dec. 1940.

 

[linde]

Although retired from active service for many years now, this M&P earned working gun status during a distinguished career in law enforcement.

Shipped to the St. Louis Metro P.D. in January 1922, she obviously spent a great deal of time on the beat. The officer's initials (either A.W. or W.A.) engraved on the side plate added to the personal pride and care given to this venerable sidearm.

Russ

 

[DRYHEAT]

No safe queen this:

1947 M&P

 

[Dakota Iron]

That is nice pic w/the period coins and pocket knife, revolver
is nice also, I like snubbys

 

[seattleM29]

This was my Grandfathers 1905 Colt Army Special. Born around 1912, he bought it used sometime in the 1920's and used it for another 30 years to kill hogs & cows on his ranch. I still use it today and it is pretty accurate with 148 grain wadcutters. It even came with a holster of the time period but it won't fit me and was damaged long before I took possesion of the gun.

 

[Muddyboot]

OK, it's not a Smith, but it's been around the block.

 

[sigp220.45]

1940 Magnum, sent from Smith to the St. Joseph, MO, PD, where it soldiered on until the early 90s, when it and several others were traded to J&G Rifle Ranch for some Glocks.

I lucked into it looking for a 3 1/2 inch Model 27. The guy on the phone said "We just got some old ones in" so I bit. I was actually a little disappointed because of what I thought was the odd placement of the front sight and the humpback hammer.

I have since learned I did alright. I put in on my personally owned weapons list and carried it for several years in the FBI. I'm pretty sure when I had it this revolver was the oldest gun on active duty in the Bureau.

No more revolvers are permitted for carry in today's Bureau, so this one is retired again. I will soon join it, and we'll once again sally forth together.

 

[Malamute]

I bought this one new in '82 I believe. Shot a deer, several coyotes, and a lot of small game with it, and have carried it a lot over the years.

I beveled the edge of the cylinder, ground the hammer spur down to service size, and did a light polish inside. It's about perfect as a carry gun.