I don't know what it is with me and old revolvers lately.

Status
Not open for further replies.
AZAndy

AZAndy

Member
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
2,066
Location
Prescott, AZ, USA
First, there was a S&W 19-3. Then came a Model of 1905. Then today this one jumped right out of the case and licked my hand:
chiefl.JPG

It has a smear of oil on it in the photo which hides how much wear there is-- bluing is 60-70%, I'd guess. Holster wear, from the look of it, bare spots on both sides of the barrel and the edges of the scallops on the cylinder. Mechanically, it's pretty tight, with decent rifling.

I thought it was an early Model 36 at first, but when I opened the latch there was no model number in the usual spot. So, a Chiefs Special! The Chiefs became the 36 in 1957 with serial number 125000, and this one is 124xxx, so I'm thinking 1956 maybe. If so, that would be way cool 'cause that would make it a birth year gun.

It came with a big Pachmeyr grip on it that covered the backstrap, so I immediately took that off and replaced it with what you see here. When I did, I saw this:

backstrap.JPG

Just think, this thing came over 2000 miles to find me. I hope it was able to find food and shelter along the way. Poor little guy.
 
Last edited:
AZAndy

Congrats on another nice revolver find! That it was built in your birth year and was a Massachusetts State Police gun is just icing on the cake! And the Tyler T-Grip adapter is a big (in a much smaller way), improvement over the looks of the Pachmayr grips that were on it.

On a similar note, I believe the S&W Model 49 was introduced by S&W in 1959 by way of a request by the same Massachusetts State Police for an all steel back-up gun for their Troopers.
 
Nice flat latch. It has history. Try and find some diamond grips for it.
I find that mine handle better without the grip gizmo, but that is up to the shooter's hand.
I like em. Glad you got one.
 
bannockburn said:
AZAndy

Congrats on another nice revolver find! That it was built in your birth year and was a Massachusetts State Police gun is just icing on the cake! And the Tyler T-Grip adapter is a big (in a much smaller way), improvement over the looks of the Pachmayr grips that were on it.

On a similar note, I believe the S&W Model 49 was introduced by S&W in 1959 by way of a request by the same Massachusetts State Police for an all steel back-up gun for their Troopers.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I didn't know that about the 49; someday I'll find one of those. Maybe tomorrow? I just looked it up and was surprised to learn that it's the one and only model that came out in steel after the Airweight.

That's actually a fake T-Grip, it's one of those BK ones. I'd like to have a Tyler or two, but I'm too lazy to download a form, print it out, fill it out, and mail it. I'm spoiled by online payment systems.
 
AZAndy

I have had this Tyler T-Grip adapter for like 35 years. It was first on a nickel plated Model 38 (I shined it up a bit so it looked better with the nickel plating), then a stainless Rossi Model 88, and finally on my Model 649. Feels great on a J frame and perfect for concealed carry.

bAwBulz.jpg
 
I would look on the Ebay. There is a S&W forum to check and then Gunbroker, or just a google.
 
bannockburn said:
AZAndy

I have had this Tyler T-Grip adapter for like 35 years. It was first on a nickel plated Model 38 (I shined it up a bit so it looked better with the nickel plating), then a stainless Rossi Model 88, and finally on my Model 649. Feels great on a J frame and perfect for concealed carry.
Click to expand...

That's really sharp! Not just the grip, the whole shebang. My first J frame was a 642, and I figured out pretty quick that shooting without either an adapter or a grip that fills the space behind the trigger guard can be quite unpleasant. It's certainly cheaper than having my knuckle moved. :cool:
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
Howdy

Nice.

This Flat Latch Model 36 shipped in 1961.

View attachment 767935
Click to expand...

And of course you have the right grips and all. Looking very good! Say, are you an SWCA member? Since these things keep popping up, I'm thinking maybe I should sign up. I'm not really a collector as such, as I don't have anything I don't shoot, but getting access to some of the historical stuff intrigues me.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
Just realized I have more old S&WS than any other brand; Victory Model, 1917, 10, 28, 39, 422, 645, 686, 6904.

Hmmm, and here I considered myself a SIG snob.........Identity Crisis!
Click to expand...
You made me look.
5 Sigs: 928, 1911 Ultra, 1911 C3, 1911 "Commander"-sized, P220
8 S&W: 36, Chiefs, 640, 325, 625, 19, 1905, 64. I've got my eye out for a decent older 10 and an early 67, and that should be about it. (Hah.) Well, if a nice 1917 or 25 came along...

The thing about older revolvers is that you can get some seriously high-quality craftsmanship for way less than a thousand bucks, often around half that, and they're not all snapped up yet. Shhhh, don't tell anybody.
 
AZAndy said:
You made me look.
5 Sigs: 928, 1911 Ultra, 1911 C3, 1911 "Commander"-sized, P220
8 S&W: 36, Chiefs, 640, 325, 625, 19, 1905, 64. I've got my eye out for a decent older 10 and an early 67, and that should be about it. (Hah.) Well, if a nice 1917 or 25 came along...

The thing about older revolvers is that you can get some seriously high-quality craftsmanship for way less than a thousand bucks, often around half that, and they're not all snapped up yet. Shhhh, don't tell anybody.
Click to expand...
Yep, I'm lookin for a 2.5" 19, then I'm "done."
Unless I find a .38-44 Mod.20 that's too good to pass up....then I'm done.
Or if a cosmetically challenged 629 just has to come home with me- for polishing......then I'm done.

Oh bother.
 
NIGHTLORD40K

Yep, I'm lookin for a 2.5" 19, then I'm "done."
Unless I find a .38-44 Mod.20 that's too good to pass up....then I'm done.
Or if a cosmetically challenged 629 just has to come home with me- for polishing......then I'm done.
Click to expand...

Can't quite put my finger on it, but I sense there's some sort of conflicting information you're putting out here. You say you're looking for a particular Model 19 and then you're done. Unless you find a Model 20; then you're done (again?). But if a Model 629 should become available, then, of course, you say you're done (finally?).

I fear you have an ongoing problem that you will never be done collecting S&W revolvers.

I suggest you take up stamp collecting instead.
 
"I love the old ones. Can't even remember the last time I bought a brand-new firearm. It's been years." Same here.I've purchased just 1 new revolver in my time ; it has long since been traded away.
 
bannockburn said:
NIGHTLORD40K



Can't quite put my finger on it, but I sense there's some sort of conflicting information you're putting out here. You say you're looking for a particular Model 19 and then you're done. Unless you find a Model 20; then you're done (again?). But if a Model 629 should become available, then, of course, you say you're done (finally?).

I fear you have an ongoing problem that you will never be done collecting S&W revolvers.

I suggest you take up stamp collecting instead.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, ‘cause with stamps, you only need one. Penny Black and you’re all set.
 
AZAndy said:
Say, are you an SWCA member?
Click to expand...

Yes.

Waveski said:
Can't even remember the last time I bought a brand-new firearm. It's been years.
Click to expand...

Regarding Smith and Wessons, the first time I bought a brand new one was in 1975. Bought a Model 17-3 and a Model 19-3 that year.

Still have both of them with the boxes and all the goodies.

Model_17-3_zps30d7772c.jpg

Model_19-2_zpsdc8c8de7.jpg




The last time I bought a brand new S&W 2015. Bought a Model 686-6. Bought it because I did not have any L frame Smiths, and the price was OK.

Not very impressed, probably the last time I will buy a brand new S&W.
 
Driftwood

Nice 40 Something S&Ws you've got there! They both look great for their age!
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
Yes.



Regarding Smith and Wessons, the first time I bought a brand new one was in 1975. Bought a Model 17-3 and a Model 19-3 that year.

Still have both of them with the boxes and all the goodies.

View attachment 767974

View attachment 767975




The last time I bought a brand new S&W 2015. Bought a Model 686-6. Bought it because I did not have any L frame Smiths, and the price was OK.

Not very impressed, probably the last time I will buy a brand new S&W.
Click to expand...
Same here, unless hell freezes over and S&W does a run of new top breaks.....
Dump that -6 and get yerself a -2 or no dash 686. They are some of the very finest guns Smith ever made.
 
Last edited:
AZAndy said:
First, there was a S&W 19-3. Then came a Model of 1905. Then today this one jumped right out of the case and licked my hand:
View attachment 767916

It has a smear of oil on it in the photo which hides how much wear there is-- bluing is 60-70%, I'd guess. Holster wear, from the look of it, bare spots on both sides of the barrel and the edges of the scallops on the cylinder. Mechanically, it's pretty tight, with decent rifling.

I thought it was an early Model 36 at first, but when I opened the latch there was no model number in the usual spot. So, a Chiefs Special! The Chiefs became the 36 in 1957 with serial number 125000, and this one is 124xxx, so I'm thinking 1956 maybe. If so, that would be way cool 'cause that would make it a birth year gun.

It came with a big Pachmeyr grip on it that covered the backstrap, so I immediately took that off and replaced it with what you see here. When I did, I saw this:

View attachment 767917

Just think, this thing came over 2000 miles to find me. I hope it was able to find food and shelter along the way. Poor little guy.
Click to expand...
I'm with you. Love old smith's, Ruger's and colts. Preferably pre-cnc. Back when parts were made slightly oversized and hand fitted. Imho post-cnc revolvers just don't have that silky smooth feel
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

.38 Special
  • Locked
Big bore fighting revolvers - a picture thread
2 3 4 5
Replies
107
Views
7K
the Black Spot
the Black Spot
CajunBass
They Know Me Better Than I Know Me.
2
Replies
31
Views
1K
paul105
P
Driftwood Johnson
  • Locked
Something You Don't See Every Day, the Triple Lock
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
orpington
O
H
  • Locked
Old Smith and Wesson
Replies
19
Views
2K
First4Freedom
First4Freedom
S
  • Locked
New Additions to the Stable! Two Colts and a S&W...
Replies
24
Views
1K
Shade00
S
Back
Top