22 Revolver collecting

[hilltopper55]

Greetings, I am interested in starting a collection of 22 Revolvers. I have looked at the Colt New Frontier/Peacemakers, and the Ruger Bearcats and Single Six (old Models) Any other brands as collectable? Looking for advice, Thanks

 

[PO2Hammer]

Are you looking for single actions exclusively?
I'm no expert, but I saw a nice Colt Diamondback on Gunbroker.
Also some of the old H&R revolvers may be worth collecting.

 

[BlindJustice]

S&W has added the

S&W Model 17 K-22 Target Masterpiece
S&W Model 18 K-22 Combat Masterpiece

THe hammers, Triggers front sight and Bbl. Len. vary.

Of course you'd need to look for some older examples

1948-1956 introduced and made for some time prior to
1957 S&W added Model numbers to all S&W handguns.

My first Handgun was a S&W Model 18 4" Bbl. at age
13 or 14 - I talked my Dad into going to a Pawn shoep/sporting
Goods store. He matched my savings and it was $78 probably
twice or a third more than some other .22s of that age.
Today, the 18 will go $ 450 or more 17s in fine conditon
are pushing $700 depends

Smith also made/makes the .22/32 Kit gun.
on the small J-Frame

Both guns below are blued.
MOdel 34 I 6 shot All steel
MOdel 43 6 shot alloy frame

MOdel 63 6 shot stainless steel

barrels len. run from 3" to 5" but 3" or 4" are most
practical.

There's also some nice Colts like a Diamondback

check gunbroker for guns sold or just watch auctions.


R-

 

[9mmepiphany]

I don't think any .22lr revolver collection would be complete if it didn't include at least an example of :

1. Colt Diamonback
2. S&W K-22
3. Dan Wesson M-22
4. High Standard Sentinel
5. Freedom Arms 252
6. S&W M-34/63

 

[Jim Watson]

Some of the less common H&Rs are interesting. The Sportsman 999 is pretty common, they made them in several variations for many years. Even P.O. Ackley spoke well of the Single Action Sportsman 199. You will seldom see an Ultra Sportsman 777 but that is reason enough to keep your eye open for one.

 

[PabloJ]

The Webley & Scott is by far the most interesting.

 

[porterdog]

Colt Trooper III

 

[btz]

North American arms MINI! fun and a great BUG

 

[CraigC]

If you're a single action nut then no collection would be complete without a USFA. Available as the 6-shot Plinker or 12-shot 12/22 models. Here's my blued example:

 

[22-rimfire]

I think collecting "22 revolvers" is a bit broad as a basis for a true collection unless you are rich. There are simply too many to collect. Clearly Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers in 22 are the more collectable today and the most likely to appreciate in value in the long term unless their is some political impetus that causes all firearms to be very expensive.

I started out collecting "Colt revolvers" and very quickly discovered that there were too many and the amount of money it would take to acquire a complete collection would be prohibitive to any person of normal financial means. After a couple years of shotguning my purchases within the broad "Colt revolver" focus, I decided on focusing on just Colt 22 revolvers and ended up selling all of the non-22 revolvers unless they were ones that I shot. An example is my favorite 357 mag revolver which is the Colt Trooper Mark III. Collecting "22 revolvers" is certainly a noble pursuit in my opinion and would be personally rewarding in the sense of all the knowledge you would acquire in the quest. You would undertake such a quest not to make money but because you truly enjoy the items in your building collection beyond the present value aspect.

One thing to consider is cost if you are really trying to build a complete collection. In limiting my focus to Colt 22 revolvers, I would estimate that a complete collection would run in the area of $100-150K these days if you purchased truly high quality pieces (96% or better, preferrably NIB and that is with the original boxes). The $$ sound high, but when you think about it, one model of Colt, let's say a Diamondback, has three barrel lengths, three finishes and that is for each variation. That is A LOT of individual guns and very difficult to even acquire just with Diamondbacks. You add in all the other models and the number of guns is substantial to have a complete collection which has to include the very expensive 1st Generation SAA revolver in 22 which had very limited production over a hundred years ago... and very expensive.

One of the things I did was start to buy reference books on the guns or type of guns you are most interested in. Some would say to buy one book to each gun (1/1 ratio) as the knowledge is actually more important than actually having the firearms. Some of the reference books are difficult to find and obtain either due to scaracity, being out of print, or cost.

There is a tremendous amount of information to learn. But most of the information that is available is more focused on a brand of revolver (say Colt, S&W, or Ruger) than specifically 22 caliber revolvers. Maybe you can write a book sometime in the future.

There will always be diversions away from the collection focus but that adds to the fun.

 

[jamesjo]

I collect 22's.
Mostly H&R"s
About 25 so far.
The nice thing about H&R is that there are so many models to choose from.
Some expensive, some very reasonably priced.
Here's a couple favorites.

1939 model 777 Ultra Sportsman




1980 Sportsman



1980 Model 686 convertibles

12"


10"


7.5"


5.5"


4.5"


Better yet, here is a link to a You Tube Video.
It shows most of my H&R collection.
About 4 minutes long.
Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vebGtbq4l84

 

[vanfunk]

If you're a single action nut then no collection would be complete without a USFA. Available as the 6-shot Plinker or 12-shot 12/22 models. Here's my blued example:

Good gracious that is a gorgeous revolver!

 

[Iggy]

Old S&W .22's ain't too shabby.

This is a 1939 vintage Outdoorsman. Predecessor to the K-22s and Model 17&18s

 

[451 Detonics]

I just picked up this Iver Johnson Supershot Sealed Eight as a shooter. Again lot's of variation in the Iver Johnson line as well...

 

[22-rimfire]

Jamesjo, nice collection.

Building a collection is something you do over a lifetime. But what happens to the collection when you die? Kids? Many only see the $ value. Donate it to a museum? Consider storage requirements and insurance costs. You might well have an entire closet devoted to just storing empty boxes. One house fire and they are all gone. House fires happen whether we like to consider it. But we all live with risks.

One way to start learning about what models were available in your area of interest is to start buying old Gun Digest and Shooter's Bibles. They also are filled with information; some very reliable and some being not so. The gun value books are good too and you will probably want to pick up a couple that include photographs so you can see the gun rather than just seeing the name or model listed in say the Blue Book of Gun Values. If you are starting from scratch, I would start with the current edition of the Blue Book and build from there.

 

[451 Detonics]

But what happens to the collection when you die?

Ya know I have thought about that with both my firearms and my knives (way over 200 in my collection and none came from a Mart store) and I decided after I am dead I really won't care what happens to them! I kinda expect the day after I am buried there is going to be one hell of a garage sale at my house.

 

[jamesjo]

22-rimfire

Thanks!
Yes building a collection is definately a never ending project.
Actually, once I settled on a direction, it became much easier.
I bought my first H&R from my uncle, before he passed away.
After I was hooked I started buying H&R's, just anything I liked.
A friend who a few hundred H&R's told me to find a theme to my collection, and stick with it.
I noticed I had a few with a DOM of 1980.
So, I decided to stick with pieces made then.
My goal is to get every model made in 1980, and every barrel length also.
It will never happen, but hey, it's a goal!
I also collect the Sportsman models.
A couple because of the value, a couple because they were manufactured the same year as family members were born.
You are right about the boxes!
Every one of my 1980 pieces is in at least excellent condition, with the original box.
I won't buy them for the collection otherwise.
My pieces are for the most part, already spoken for, I had my brothers, and sister, tell me which pieces they would like, they now have thier names on them.
It does kind of bother me that the collection will be broken up, when I am gone.
Hopefully they will all keep them and pass them on to nieces and nephews.
But that is not for me to say, or care about I guess.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't think it's a collection. More of an accumulation. Ignore the semi's.

Smith & Wesson 17, Ruger Bearcat, Dan Wesson 22, Ruger New Model Single-Six 50th anniversary.



Colt Frontier Scout



Ruger Old Models



Harrington & Richardson 999



They're all good additions.

 

[jamesjo]

CajunBass,
Very nice accumulation!!

 

[Dave T]

Iggy, I'm not a real fan of 22s but that Outdoorsman of yours could start something. Very, very nice!

Dave

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

Yeah those .22 NAA minis are great and you can fit the whole collection in a shoebox

 

[32 Magnum]

A couple other H&Rs to consider - big buck items though - but scarce or rare enough to command a good position in a specialized collection.

Model 196 EUREKA SPORTSMAN (retail $800 - $1100)


Model 195 SINGLE SHOT TARGET PISTOL - USRA MODEL (retail $500 - $1800)





p.s. JamesJo - I didn't post my 777 - OK?

 

[Dr.Rob]

Supershot Sealed 8? WANT!

No good reason for wanting it other than i have a friend that has one and I really enjoyed shooting it.

I have passed on 2 Colt Frontier Scouts for really bad endshake. The Colt aluminum framed revolvers just don't hold up to everyday use like a steel framed gun.

One of the neatest Colts I've come across? 22 cal "Banker's Special" guy wanted a LOT of money for it. Like you better be a banker.

 

[jamesjo]

Jim,
May as well show all the folks here what a really nice 777 looks like!!
Yours is the cream of the crop, and I"m ok with that!!

 

[22-rimfire]

One of the neatest Colts I've come across? 22 cal "Banker's Special" guy wanted a LOT of money for it. Like you better be a banker.

This is certainly a collector gun and probably in any condition over 90%. Years ago I had an opportunity to buy a lettered nickel Bankers 22 (as new)..... now I can only dream of such a revolver.