Rare Pistol Pair Photo

[45Broomhandle]

INFO STRICTLY FOR GUN COLLECTORS

I finally got around to taking a photo of my two SM Sporter pistols together. It is a rarity to even find, or ever see, ONE of these guns. The highest number produced (one year only - 1953), is possibly 600 guns.

So - this is a photo you may never see repeated. TWO S-Ms together.



Articles published decades ago by trusted authors established early that approximately 400 had been produced. A later publication said that 200 more were reported, which had been assigned for a US gun club.

The odd serial numbering - not in sequence - of this manufacturer was rather bizarre, with blocks of numbers that had no relation to any earlier or later. Something odd about my pair of guns is that the serial number of NEITHER gun pictured fits into any of those numbers published!

The bottom gun has obviously been fired and handled a lot, while the top one is like new.

The S-M SPORTER is a .22rf single-shot, and was co-designed by a famous gun-guru of the era, W.H.B. Smith, and Sydney Manson who was president of the company. The gun is named using his initials: S-M SPORTER. Below is one of the few advertisements known for this gun.

They were such cheap and poorly designed guns - this was even admitted to in an interview with Sydney years later - that it's safe to assume most gave up the ghost decades ago and were trashed, never to be seen again. One is reported every once in a while, but they're never actually shown. So how many have survived is anyone's guess. How many have YOU seen, or even heard of?



Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

 

[Trebor]

It looks like the bastard child of a Liberator and a Ruger Mk 1.

Love that stamped sheet metal in the lower. Is the top machined or stamped and welded?

What were the design flaws. It seems hard to mess up a single shot .22.

Btw, I've never even heard of these before now. Interesting.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

Interesting .. thanks for sharing, 45Broomhandle

 

[PTK]

I've only ever seen the advertisements, NEVER proper photos, nevermind TWO in the same picture!

 

[45Broomhandle]

Trebor, the biggest problem with them is weakness because there is no skeleton to build on. Where the usual pistol has a frame which up front holds the barrel and receiver, the center holds the workin' goodies, and it then extends back in a lower portion used to grasp the firing goodies. Not so with this little POS.

What you see is what you get. Those plastic grips ARE the grasping part, mounted kinda' wraparound style on a metal rod rammed into the tubular firing mechanism, from which hangs the trigger. A look at its butt you can see where and how that rod is positioned.



Not exactly a strong arrangement, marketed toward youngsters, fishing tackle, boxes, backpacking and other such activities not especially noted for handling guns very gently... Definitely not of the same breed as the old cowboy Colts which were often seen in the cinema used as hammers.

And there were other problems. Evidently many promptly started coming apart and malfunctioning for various reasons, but due to the hassle of finding parts combined with the cheap original outlay, most folks found it easier to deal with by simply tossing it in the trash can. Our economy was fairly good at that point in time and it was just easier most owners to chalk it up to experience and dump it.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

 

[Mad Magyar]

I sure like the grip angle....BTW, $20 wasn't that cheap in the early 50's. I kinda like it.....

 

[Seancass]

the add is from a dealer in DC. Have you ever shot either gun? i guess that's a dumb question considering the rarity, but ya never know.

 

[45Broomhandle]

Hi, Seancass. The D.C. address is that of the folks who marketed the gun. The guns bear the address, Alexandria, VA, which was home for the SM Company. It was manufactured by Richmond Parke Corp. of Springfield, MASS.

I don't shoot any of my collectibles. It's not worth the risk of possibly ruining a historical piece when I've got plenty of more modern guns available to shoot. Besides, my health doesn't allow me much getting out to the range any longer.

Doesn't cost anything to ask. Hope this answers your questions. Thanks for your interest. Now you know what you're looking at IF you ever run into one at a gun show, or whatever.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

Just noticed the Purdue mention. I was born in Bloomington. Wanna' hear a good IU vs Purdue joke?

 

[Seancass]

you mean an IU joke? purdue is for serious.

(my dad is an iu alum, sister is currently attending, life's complicated.)

 

[45Broomhandle]

Where oh where...

Whatever, we have BOTH sides covered. I attended IU (no degree), and wife graduated from Franklin College (Baptist), as well as attending Purdue extension in Naptown for some additional credits.

Well, Boilermakers are a VERY serious bunch, I'll give you that. And, IU is known to be a "party school." Hmmmmmmm.... which one would I enjoy more??? A bunch of cold guys messing with hot metal, or a bunch of cool guys playing with hot chicks and cold beer?

Gee, I'll really have to think about that one!

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

Yes, there IS a place for all of God's creatures:
right next to the potatoes and gravy.​

 

[moss590]

ill buy any you have for original price 19.95

 

[45Broomhandle]

moss590, when you find a supply at that price, please let me know. However, they gotta' be part of the original 1953 bunch.

I'd just like to find one, or at least hear of one, survivor with a serial number that ties in with those SN blocks mentioned in the articles.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

 

[Jim K]

Rarities indeed. I think S-M stood for Smith-Manson, not for Sidney Manson, or at least that is what Smith told me. The grip system was not a lot worse than that of the H-S Duramatic, which POS is still around today, made by Beretta as the Neos.

For a price comparison, in 1953 the Ruger automatic was selling for $37.50, and the Colt Challenger for $52.00. The standard model Woodsman went for $70.

Jim

 

[45Broomhandle]

I Think Jim's Right...

Jim as for naming the S-M, I'm more inclined to believe your version. Makes sense. However, the other story is the ONLY one I've seen published on the subject. Info on these little guys is nigh IMPOSSIBLE to dig up. I'm not sure, but I think both Smith AND Manson have since gone to that Big Range In The Sky.

One article said other folks were involved in the designing of this thing, so maybe one of the surviving relatives of SOMEONE involved will read this and answer that question more reliably.

I know about the price comparison route. Was just thumbing through some American Rifleman mags from 1953, 1956 and 1958 looking for the origin of that S-M ad. Prices on stuff back then are enough to make you cry.

If you come up with some documented info on these guns, I'd certainly appreciate it. Also, thanks for your interest and taking time to put in your comments.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle