[mattd987]

Now, I am not a true collector... yet. But, I may have found, for myself, the holy grail of Smith and Wesson revolvers. Once it is in my little hands, I will post pics....

HOWEVER, in your opinion, what are the most coveted S&W revolvers.

Provide me with:
~A description or model # of the S&W revolver.
~Pics of your prized possessions, if you so desire.
~What makes it a coveted revolver?
~What would it be worth?

Thanks!

[19-3Ben]

Normally, people will say Registered Magnums.

To me? the P&R model 19's. I love 'em like crazy.

Edit to add:
Pics? You like pics eh. well, I'll oblige. my 19-3. http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii131/geminifan/Sepiasmith.jpg

[Loosedhorse]

SW collector's specials?

Triple-lock (.44 Special) and Registered Magnum (.357).

Congratulations on your mystery score!

[mattd987]

What do you mean by "registered magnums?" Please elaborate a little more on that.

BTW, that is a great pic of your 19-3. Is that blued or nickel? Hard to tell due to the style of the pic. Is that a 4" barrel?

[66912]

Currently, I only have two S&W revolvers (686+ 2.5" & a recently aquired .38/200). I do not know what it is about smith wheel guns, I just love them. My holly grail of Smith revolvers would be the coveted number 3 or number 4 in .44 Russian. I also would love to get my hands on a 4 inch 28 highway patrolman.

[ceadermtnboy]

I personally like the 520 NYSP model made in 1980. It was the only fixed sight 357 magnum S&W N frame, and only 3,000 were made for the New York State Police. They have the polished blue finish like the model 27 and were only made with a 4" barrel. All the ones I have seen are very well put together.

[19-3Ben]

What do you mean by "registered magnums?" Please elaborate a little more on that.

BTW, that is a great pic of your 19-3. Is that blued or nickel? Hard to tell due to the style of the pic. Is that a 4" barrel?

I believe they were the original .357mag revolvers, and were actually registered (whatever that means) with S&W. Very rare. Command a HUGE premium.

It's a blued 4" bbl. It was the first handgun I bought. I bought it the day that I got my pistol permit, 3 years ago. Just to give you an idea of how things have changed over the years, I bought it for $295 in ~96% condition, and the gun shop owner threw in a box of .38spl Hyrdashocks because he felt like I was overpaying.

here is another shot:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii131/geminifan/19-3beautiful.jpg

[mattd987]

Thanks for the posts so far. That is great.

If your holy grail was new and unfired, would you shoot it? Or would you just lock it up?

Would firing it lose its value?

[unspellable]

And all this time I thought the Model 58 and the 38-44 Heavy Duty were fixed sight N frames.

[jameslovesjammie]

Holy Grail? A Volcanic, unfired, NIB. I would guess $100,000ish. Oops...not a revolver. I'd say unfired Wells Fargo Model 3.

[mattd987]

Quote: "I believe they were the original .357mag revolvers, and were actually registered (whatever that means) with S&W. Very rare. Command a HUGE premium."

So, what models would "registered" include? Just to give me an idea.

Models I have seen for sale are the 19-3, 27-2, 19-4, 24, 29... And what does the -3 mean or the -4 within the 19-3 or 19-4? Are any of these models considered "registered?"

[Hawk]

Holy Grail?

A no lock Night Guard.

[mattd987]

What is a Night Guard? Elaborate please.

[Jeff F]

If your holy grail was new and unfired, would you shoot it? Or would you just lock it up?

Would firing it lose its value?

I will not own a gun I can't or won't shoot.

Yes, shooting a gun will lower its value.

[Hawk]

What is a Night Guard? Elaborate please.
There are several.
As example:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=67969&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=

[dbriannelson]

I'd guess a Triple Lock as well. And I'd shoot it. It could lose value that way if not taken care of, but the value of shooting it would outweigh the value lost in my opinion. I'm not a collector either.

-Don

[SaxonPig]

In 1935 S&W introduced the 357 Magnum cartridge and a new N frame revolver to shoot it. The guns were simply called the "357 Magnum" by S&W but collectors call them Registered Magnums because the guns came with a registration certificate to be filled out by the owner and returned to S&W.

The RMs were totally custom ordered with numerous sights, stocks, and at least 21 different barrel lengths noted so far. The most deluxe revolvers ever offered, they cost $60 in the late 1930s and demand was so high S&W couldn't keep up and in 1939 the RMs went away, replaced by a less custom, but still deluxe revolver.

This gun evolved into the Model 27.

This is an RM from 1938:


http://www.fototime.com/3F98DF60047549C/standard.jpg


The guns made after 1939 were more standard production than custom, but this line remained S&W's most premier revolver.

This is a 1950 357 Magnum in nickel with the very popular 3.5" barrel.


http://www.fototime.com/FDDFBC47FA2B6DB/standard.jpg


This Model 27 was made in 1960. It features a 5" barrel.


http://www.fototime.com/0CAADB8AC453824/standard.jpg

[BillinNH]

For me the Holy Grail is a three inch model 19.

[Phydeaux642]

I personally like the 520 NYSP model made in 1980

I picked up one of these this summer for $360. It doesn't have the orignal grips but is in terrific shape.

It was the only fixed sight S&W N frame made

It was the only fixed sight .357 made.

The Holy Grails for me are not that uncommon, but I would really like to find a great deal on one or ten - model 17s and 18s.

[X-Rap]

I have a RM numbered under 1700. The throat is eroded some and the trigger is slicker than any I have seen. I have always wanted to get a factory letter and maybe a copy of the original registration. I'll bet that is a list of interesting characters from thw 1930's.

[RIATAC45]

My holy grail would be my boss' 1938 M&P that has been seen 9rds since it was new. Of those 9rds 3 have killed someone.:what: He also has the original box, and the 2 boxes of ammo that were bought with the gun. The box is in ~95% condition. It was his grandmothers personal protection weapon.

[Ala Dan]

a pinned and recessed Smith & Wesson model 27-2 NIB in UNFIRED
status, target hammer-trigger-and grips; with factory presentation
case, tools, and documents. Manufactuered between 1977-1978
with the very hard too find 3-1/2" barrel. S/N = N432xxx
Value = easily $750

[Hawk]

a pinned and recessed Smith & Wesson model 27-2 NIB in UNFIRED
status,
...

Would I be correct in guessing it won't remain unfired? :D

Still, as nice as it is, and as nice as other "grails" have been, mine is the rarest: a no-lock Night Guard, to the best of my knowledge and belief, has not yet been made.

It may well never be made.

It may or may not depend on whether a bunch of traditionalists run out and buy "no-lock" S&Ws. I've done my part in buying a current 40.

Who knows? It might be brought to life complete with forged hammer and trigger and pinned sear.

....

[mattd987]

Great job so far on the posts... I am enjoying it.

Ala Dan: Just to give you guys a little heads up.... that is my holy grail find. A new, unfired 27-2 with 3-1/2 barrel. The only downside, no original box. The price seems a little higher than I was expecting, but it may be my only chance at such a rare find.

What do you guys think now?

[Ala Dan]

Att: Hawk My Friend--

No sir, this 3.5" Smith & Wesson model 27-2 will join my factory nickel
4" Smith & Wesson 19-3 as "safe queens"; as I own several other S&W
.357 magnums that are used for shooting.


McCain-Palin come Nov. 4th~!

[MrBorland]

Normally, people will say Registered Magnums


For me the Holy Grail is a three inch model 19.


Can't argue with the Registered Magnum or the 3" M19. I'd throw in a ANIB K-32 Target Masterpiece in there as well.

Gotta point out that for as rare as these models are, they are obtainable. In contrast, Supica & Nahas refer to a number of revolvers S&W reportedly made, but are so rare as to make valuation guesstimates difficult. If "Holy Grail" discounts utility and refers only to availability of guns actually made, these phantom models must surely place higher on the Grail Scale.

[gunnie]

oddly, i bought the triple lock for >$400 at a pawn shop, in very good condition. and i DO plan to shoot it when i get back to the real world. a relative rolled up some mild {early 1900's velocities} hand loads for it, that should hit point of aim.

gunnie

[Storm]

For me it's the Model 19. As a kid in the 60's and 70's I wanted one more than life itself, a four or six inch. Now, as an adult, after 30 years of shooting, I finally bought one in the last year, a minty pinned and recessed 19-4.

Overall it may not be the most desirable Smith out there, but for me it is.

[Hutch]

I actually had one Grail-like example, the PC-13 "Very Serious Carry Revolver". There were 400 maide. I couldn't bear the thought of actually CARRYING the thing and diminishing the value, so I sold it off.

[earlthegoat2]

my holy grail is one I can shoot, collectors pieces are for collectors, i shoot em

[cicguy]

My Holy Grail is my S & W Model 19-2 6" barrel. I bought it in 65 or 66 brand new and I still have the box and material it was wrapped in to protect it. It set back about $94 or $95 including sales tax. It's about 98% and is next to me at night "just in case"

For God and Country,

CICGUY

[mattd987]

I hope that this picture posting thing works.

Here is my Holy Grail...

New and unfired. S&W 27-2. With 3-1/2" Pinned barrel and recessed cylinder. What do you guys think?

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff90/mdutcher/IMG_1185.jpg

[Gordon]

That is a great gun and arguably the last great incarnation of the registered magnum.

[Ala Dan]

Goregous gun Matt my friend; almost looks like my S&W 27-2's twin~! :D

[mattd987]

I could not be any happier right now. Thanks for the comments.

Now, I need to add some more rare S&W revolvers to my collection. Maybe a model 19 or even a 29.... oh the choices. But, that will be a while before that happens. Need to save up more money. :D

[Kman]

I think your barrel is pinned and your brain is at recess,;) truthfully I'm jealous, that is a really nice 27.:p

[wundudnee]

This may not be the ultimate holy grail Smith, but you don't see one everyday. It's the ".45 cal model of 1950" or pre 26. It's my favorite N frame.
http://www.fototime.com/{B190DD13-5081-4F22-8A6E-F40FE1E395CC}/picture.JPG
Here's another a little bit rare. An unfired early Chief's Special, my only safe queen.
http://www.fototime.com/{C95E3382-1B04-4DA1-B047-F68CC01DE89F}/picture.JPG

[SaxonPig]

I like the 3.5" 357s. But I think the target stocks look too big with the short barrel. The Magnas look better.


http://www.fototime.com/3C77BAD2C2C5649/standard.jpg

[gunnie]

quit holding out, SaxonPig....

let's see that 45LC triple lock again!!

gunnie

[mattd987]

I was not planning on adding anything to my collection of wheel guns for a while after the 27-2. However, I was in my local gun shop this morning and I found this. I could not leave without it. The gun is in great shape. Shows sign of holster wear.

28-2 Highway Patrolman Pinned and Recessed. 4 inch barrel.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff90/mdutcher/IMG_1200.jpg

Here is a picture of the whole gang.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff90/mdutcher/IMG_1201.jpg

Now, I just need to find a 29 and a 19. :D

[scott090278]

I finally obtained me most coveted wheelie earlier this year. It's a new S&W Performance Center 629 Carry Comp with a 3.5" barrel. I would like to have a matching set but I can't afford another one right now.

[parisite]

The Holy Grail for me at least in terms of enjoyability and shootability is the Model 14.

[Peter M. Eick]

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/eickpm/reg_box.jpg

A Registered Magnum is the grail.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/eickpm/registration_number.jpg

[mattd987]

That registered magnum is very nice!

Please give me some history on your revolver, if you care to share. How long have you owned it? Where did you get it?

I am truly fascinated with the S&W revolvers. I have always been like this I was a kid and I shot my dad's 44 magnum. Great stuff!

[tasco 74]

mattd those handguns are all DEFECTIVE....... for your own safety you send to me ASAP so i can properly dispose of them for you!!..........:cool:

i got my smith&wesson model 27 6" a few years ago... it's a pinned and recessed 1968 vintage with smooth target stocks in almost mint shape when i got it in the box it came in...... don't know about holy grail but it's the one i wanted most of all...........

[Peter M. Eick]

Mattd,

It is a 1939 Registered Magnum and as you see it is roughly how it was shipped. The grips are off another Registered which is the part that was missing on mine when I bought it. Actually get the story straight, my wife allowed me to buy it on my birthday about 5 years ago. I got it for $1600 if I remember right and the grips cost me another $250 (if I remember right). I shoot the gun a fair amount considering that it is a refinish and as a true collector piece it is not perfect.

I got lucky and got a good one. Now someday I will buy a complete factory correct original with all matching parts when I can afford it.

[f4t9r]

good ol model 29

[Brian Williams]

I would say either a Reg Mag or a Triple Lock.

Mine right now is a 10-7 or -5 with a round grip and a 3" intermediate weight barrel.