Smith&Wesson Straight Line!!! happy happy

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gjamison

gjamison

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Jun 13, 2010
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Location
Finger Lakes Region of NY
I bought this Straight Line several years ago. The gun itself is
in very good conition, the straight line was way before it's time. The
case was in really bad shape. Metal insert was there and tools but the
green colored cloth was gone.

So I showed it to my friend Joe cebull and for 3 years we tried to
find the right colored cloth. Then someone on the forum gave me
the idea of dyeing a piece of felt to match. So after several tries I
think I got it.

Smith&Wesson Straight Line serial #26 left the factory September
2nd, 1925 and shipped to a Mr. H.Boughton, as a side note Mr.Boughton
name is engraved inside the case. Would like to think I channeled my inner Joe Cebull but I think I just got lucky with the way it turned out. As you can see from the pictures I'm missing one of the small metal clips, if anyone has this please let me know. Yes i know needie in a haystack. Thanks for looking
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Nice find!
In all the years I have played in the business I have never had the opportunity to even handle one of these guns much less see one in the case with accessories.
You are fortunate indeed! :)
 
Must admit I'm a little jealous. Lusted after one of those at a GUN DAY show quite a few years ago. Just couldn't come up with the scratch. I'm glad you were able to refurbish the case and hope you get to shoot it on a regular basis.

Best regards,

ts
 
A little jealous? You lie! ;) I'm A LOT jealous and not afraid to admit it! Nicely done!!
 
this was known as a 4th model single shot. for some reason it was not popular among target shooter of the day. from what i have read the caliber is 22lr but at that time i believe 22 olympic was ment for this.
 
The Straight Line was not popular because the trigger pull varied. Like other striker fired pistols (and rifles), the sear engaged the firing pin and when the trigger was pulled, the sear dragged the firing pin down before releasing it. Depending on how loose the firing pin was in its channel and where it ended up when cocked, the trigger pull could vary. That was not the case with the revolvers of the time (1925-1936) and the Colt Woodsman, its main competitors. That it was introduced in time for the big depression didn't help, but I suspect that some of the complaints were subjective and based more on the fact that it was unconventional than any actual problems. In any event it was not very successful.

A nice piece. It was made for .22 LR, but avoid high speed ammo; that gun was made for standard velocity.

Jim
 
I'm betting gjamison is already aware of the shortcomings and when you are buying at that level of quality, the gun isn't shot all that much to preserve the level of excellence.
I am also betting he won't be shooting CCI Stingers in the pistol either,,,
 
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