[Tamara]

Finally scored me a 5-screw M&P at the gun show today, S/N C243xxx, in the gold & blue box.

Great shape, and a mere $275 (which, considering that I saw plenty of plain ol' post-'82 Model 10s and dragged-behind-a-truck Victory Models with asking prices of $300 and up, made me feel pretty durn good.

Darn, this thing is sweet; they just don't make 'em like this any more...

Pics to follow...

[mec]

they are very cool
http://www.milesfortis.com/mcump/images/mcump/16/mpa.jpg

[OF]

Hooray! A five-screw for Tamara!<holding back> Think twice, post once. Think twice, post once.

;)

- Gabe

[MJRW]

Oh my dear sweet gentle Jesus, Gabe.

That's only 55$ a screw. That's a bargain.

[Standing Wolf]

Mighty pretty!

[10-Ring]

Congrats :envy: :jealous: :very kewl: ;)

[Al Thompson]

:D :D :D

[Frenchy]

You have a classic "53" Tamara...Congratulations. Mine was born the same year.

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Mar/20033222283139736855295.jpg

[MJRW]

Curious, what is the allure of these other than being vintage? They don't look like they grip very comfortably.

[rock jock]

mec,

Where's the fifth screw? And, I'm with MJRW, what's the big deal?

[Tamara]

Where's the fifth screw?

You can only see three in a side view. The fourth screw is under the grip panel, the fifth runs fore-and-aft in front of the trigger guard. In 1955, they deleted the upper sideplate screw, and in 1962 they got rid of the triggerguard screw, both to save costs (they weren't really ncessary, either).

what's the big deal?

What's the big deal? Well, these are pretty much considered to be the "pre-cost-cutting" revolvers from S&W; they generally exhibit beautiful levels of hand-fitting, nice bluing, and all-around attention to detail. Just about every change made since the old five-screw guns has been made to cut manufacturing costs. (Although they've been careful to try and avoid changes that adversely affect the functioning of the revolvers.) They just represent a bygone age when skilled craftsmen were a lot more plentiful and cheap than they are now.

They don't look like they grip very comfortably.

It's just a square-butt Smith; you can put any grip on it you want. (Although mine has the factory diamond grips, which I'll probably leave on; I have other guns for CCW, defense, and target work, so this one's really just for the collection and an occasional trip to the range.)

[Poohgyrr]

Congratulations to both Tamara & Frenchy for those jewels. There is something that just feels good, and special, about the old world crafsmanship.

I have a '54 model 3.5" .357 that is a definite keeper, complete with tight lockup, worn bluing and some signs of rust from years of real use. Smooth, and somehow special.

[PJR]

I own a five screw and the only advice I have is to pay attention to the top screw working out and going missing. I've lost one but fortunately had a replacement.

Paul

[Byron Quick]

Gentlemen, I commend you.

[charleym3]

There's a local shop that has two of these. The show just a little bit of wear. No rust that I can see. Asking price is $200. I can probably get both for $300. Hmmmm. And what exactly do I need these for?

[Tamara]

And what exactly do I need these for?

Not a thing; these have absolutely nothing to do with "need". ;)

[Byron Quick]

charleym3,

You think I should get rid of everything I have that I don't need?

Including firearms?

[Felonious Monk]

That very gun was at my house yesterday on the way to the gunshow.

Light surface rust, fair amount of pitting in the barrel, right?
Now, I wish I had made time to go with my bud who was selling it, so I could have met ya! Durn yardwork! :banghead:

[Tamara]

Light surface rust, fair amount of pitting in the barrel, right?

Nope, different gun. No rust; minor bluing wear (95%, at least); perfect bore.

I'll be there this afternoon, working a table along the far right-hand wall as you come through the door, kinda kitty-corner behind the FAL guys from Volunteer Ordnance. :)

[Felonious Monk]

Great!
If you see a John Goodman lookalike in a Molon Labe khaki hat sportin' a big grin headed your way...guess who! ;)

[Lone_Gunman]

5 screw S&W's are collectable because they are 5 screw S&W's. They are from a different era, a time when manufacturers paid more attention to detail and finishing.

The best thing about them though is that at gunshows, the guys looking for German uber pistols, hi cap mags, laser sights, and super ballistic tactical ninja nylon holsters, just dont seem to have any idea what they are looking at when they see one...

On the subject of vintage revolvers, check out this recent acquisition... probably not as nice as a 5 screw S&W, but still kind of fun... and its a 32-20... very fun cartridge to shoot.

[Tamara]

With a Spyderco Shabaria and a cool Zippo. :cool:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=186859

[Harbinger]

That original box makes it even sexier lookin'.
Nice find, Tamara.

[Frenchy]

I'm envious of the box, Tamara! :D Looks like it has retained some nice color-case. They are sweet revolvers.

[Schuey2002]

;) :) :p :cool: :D :eek:

Schweeeeeeet gun, Tamara.

[Litlman]

Tamara nice addition and as usual, nice knife, as for the box , I'm thinking it but I don't want to say it.

[sm]

Tamara that is really nice!!
Original box adds even more character.

Somewhere I have a box of their ammo in 38 spl, would complete the set.

Fortunate enough to have shot one of these...sweet!!!

[Mike Irwin]

We really don't care about your sex life, Tams...

OH! GUN! You're talking about a gun! :p

VERY nice Tams... The box is one hell of a nice addition, especially in that condition.

You know, I'd be seriously tempted to pass on a gun like that, because it's simply too nice to shoot... I'd feel guilty. :)

I'm trying to think about how many 5 screw revolvers I have... I THINK 3, at this point, but none nearly as nice as that.

[ruger357]

Gotta love those Smiths.:D

[charleym3]

You think I should get rid of everything I have that I don't need?
Including firearms?

Absolutely. You can ship the firearms to me. ;)

[thisaway]

Once you started taliking about this, I just had to go look at my M1905 to see all five screws are in the right place! :scrutiny:

Mine is a 6-incher made in 1919, but alas, it has the later style of grips like those on Tamara's pistol. Does anyone know where I can get an original set of grips? :confused:

[colubrid]

The box you got really does it for me. Nice find! Especially for that price!!

[Ala Dan]

BINGO TAM! Looks like the MAGIC is back-

Over the year's, I've been amazed by some of the
great bargains on quality firearms that you have
come across! I know you worked in a gun shop
and had access to lot's of fine firearms; but you
really learned the "tricks of the trade" well. My
hats off to you. Enjoy-

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[craigz]

Oh. A five-screw is a gun. Never mind.

[zxc]

An older Navy vet offered me a nice one for $135 last summer; oh the ignorance:banghead: Theyre showing up more, lately as the WW2 generation is about to pass...

[mec]

Somebody wanted to know what is so special about them. One answer was the fine, old tech manufacturing methods that show up on close inspection. This one is from 1938 or 39 and is not much difference than the mid '50s one under discussion. Either would be equally interesting to a revolver enthusiast and probably equally uninteresting to a modernist or semi-auto dude.

[Frenchy]

There is a workman-like elegance to the Model 10 and it's predecessors, unlike any other revolver, IMO. All you have to do is handle one to understand the exquisite balance...Shoot one to realize the fine accuracy. There is a reason why it was the pre-eminent Police handgun of the 20th. Century.

[Mannlicher]

My first centerfire handgun was a Model 14 K-38, 6 inch barrel. I shot a lot of NRA centerfire target with that revolver.

I have never replaced the grips, or altered anything on it. I carried it daily for years, before the days of CCW. A great old handgun. It will shoot one inch groups to this day at 25 yards.

I hate to think of all the +P handloads this gun digested though. My load of choice then was a Speer 125 grain JHP with 14 grains of 2400. Still a good load today in a heavy duty .38 Special.

[bad_dad_brad]

Tamara,

It is a beautiful gun. There is nothing like S&W deep old blue. There is nothing like imagining a dedicated worker bent over with an occulus, making sure all the parts fit, then feeling this creation, so many years later, in your own hands. Is this an art form?

It is not exactly art is it? Art is unique. Every part of art is a new creation. I am an artist, and all of my paintings, writings, and poetry are unique. This lovely piece is not art, per se, because many were made like it, just the same. No, it is not art. It is craftmanship. But no less special I think.

Congratulations on your new possession. Take care that it does not possess you. Thank you for sharing.

Brad.

[Mike Irwin]

The ONLY used S&W Model 10 I saw at the "gun" (aka knive and assorted unrelated CRAP) show today was a well-beaten one being sold for the miniscule sum of $249.95!

One moron had a used 681-2 for $450. It was on special, though, appearing to have been marked down from $495!

[charleym3]

I know a place where you can get a well used 686-2 for a mere $600. At that price I expect that he will have it for a good long time.

[rock jock]

Well, I will say this. When I started shooting and buying guns just 4 or 5 years ago, I thought the new guns were always better. You know, CNC machining, closer tolerances, better materials, all that. I now am convinced after handling a few older revos that that is not necessarily true, and ofen is not. Of course it is not necessarily false, either. Probably depends a lot on the manufacturer.

[thisaway]

Just what, exactly, is the purpose of the fifth screw in the front of the triggerguard?

Oh, yeah, I found a set of original grips for my M1905. They look great. Wish I could show pics.

[Oracle]

rock jock,

I think that the older revolvers are usually better crafted than newer ones, but the newer autos are usually of better quality than the older ones. Hand-crafting works fantastically with revolvers, it doesn't seem to work as well with autos. They seem to benefit more from the computerized CNC machines and then a good once over by hand.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

The screw in the front of the trigger guard is to apply tension and/or remove and install the spring on the cylinder stop IIRC.

[Rezdog]

I bought a five-screw M&P a while back (1947 vintage) and really like it. Last week I found a third model hand-ejector in .32 S&W long with a 3" bbl -- also a five screw and very nice. Now I want to find an M&P style N frame with five screws.

[Frenchy]

Now I want to find an M&P style N frame with five screws.

Sounds like your looking for a 38/44 HD, Rezdog!