Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson

©2006 by

Jim Supica and Richard Nahas

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Trademarks: The words (or symbols) Air Lite, Dymondwood, Ti, Sc, Heritage Series, The Sigma Series, Chiefs Special, Kit Gun, Shorty, Lasersmith, Ladysmith, Mountain Gun, Mountain Lite, Magnum, Smith & Wesson, S&W Performance Center, Airlite, Smith & Wesson Academy, Airweight, .40 S&W, Power Port, Centennial are registered trademarks of Smith & Wesson.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2005931490

ISBN 13-digit: 978-0-89689-293-4

ISBN 10-digit: 0-89689-293-X

eISBN: 978-1-44022-474-4

Designed by Elizabeth Krogwold

Edited by Dan Shideler

Printed in China

Dedication

RICK’S DEDICATION, 3RD EDITION

As we move into the 21st century we see that Smith & Wesson becomes increasingly involved with the shooting sports and self defense marketplace. As a result more and more products are made for those markets.

S&W has almost left behind the method of manufacturing it used for nearly 135 years since its first beginnings in 1852. In its place we see new methods of making parts and frames to attach to cylinders and two-piece barrels and X-tra large frames. The CNC Methods have far exceeded the older by hand and individual machine process manufacturing methods. While some collectors do not seem impressed by these newer methods, in my crystal ball I see collectors of the future looking back at these products and in every bit of amazement as those collectors in the 1940s when they marveled at the Registered Magnum or those in the late 50s at the .44 Magnum that Elmer Keith brought to the forefront of handgun hunting.

Firearm collectors have endured all kinds of assaults on their personal freedoms to own weapons in the last century. As we move further into the 2000s, more states embrace concealed carry as a personal safety issue and not just a holdover from the old Wild West. The internet has opened collecting to a whole new venue of consumers to the amazement of new collectors and almost to the detriment of seasoned and established collectors. This has placed the products for sale available for everybody who has an E-port to the world. Prices seem to climb uncontrollably in bidding wars. To this I say be ever watchful, and have a fun time of it.

The first edition of this work was dedicated to the memory of Danny Woo, who first saw my compilation some years ago. And I dedicate this third edition again to my wife, Bonnie. Again for her unfailing support and devotion, I am more grateful than words can ever express. Thanks also for feeding me at the computer for the past fifteen years. The first edition was not off the press yet when we started on the 2nd edition. . . Just looking for S&W products. . . .

As Jim and I put this together for the third time, I recall that special feeling that strikes me when I find a new and different Smith & Wesson handgun, in its own box, wrapped in its protective paper. I have to stop, look and inquire about it. Each has a story.

Since the first edition, S&W has made a few changes in its product line, introduced quite a host of alloy frame revolvers, completely redesigned all of the revolver frames, created a new design for its semi-automatic line of pistols, and now offers more accessories than ever with the Smith & Wesson name: Truly an American Tradition.

A lot of lessons were learned in the first and second editions; the biggest is that we won’t ever get it all done and documented in one go-‘round. We received many letters and E-mails from readers and collectors telling us about their S&W and or their particular variation, and for that help we are grateful. I also thank Jim Supica for his deep research into early Smith & Wessons and his family’s special friendship over the years. Jim and I hope you enjoy this 3rd edition as much as the first.

Richard Nahas

JET53SW@aol.com

JIM’S DEDICATION, 3RD EDITION

The core of Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson is the data that Richard has laboriously and meticulously compiled over many years. For this, I thank him on behalf of collectors everywhere.

I’ d also like to thank the many S&W collectors & enthusiasts who have contributed to this book.

Finally, I’d like to dedicate my work on this book to the love of my life, Eve; to our boys, Jamie, David, and Daniel; and to my Dad and the loving memory of my Mother.

Jim Supica,

P.O. Box 14040, Lenexa, KS 66285

E-Mail: Jim@ArmChairGunShow.com

Contents

Title Page

Special Offers

Acknowledgments

Safety

How to Use This Book

SECTION 1: COLLECTING SMITH & WESSON: SPECIAL CONCERNS AND TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Frame Sizes of Revolvers

Screws: 3, 4, or 5

Pinned and Recessed

Generations of Semi-Autos

Type of Finish

Refinished Guns

Factory Refinish

Rare Barrel Lengths

Other Modifications and Unusual Configurations

Matching Serial Numbers

Stocks (Grips) – by Jim King

Boxes and Accessories – by Dave Ballantyne and Dick Burg

Sights

Engraving

Evaluating Condition

Resources and Bibliography

SECTION 2: IDENTIFICATION AND PRICE GUIDE

Chapter I: Origins – Smith, Wesson and Their Lever Action Pistol – by John Watts

Chapter II: Tip-Up Revolvers

Chapter III: Top-Break Revolvers

Chapter IV: Single-Shot Pistols

Chapter V: Early Hand Ejectors (Named Model Revolvers 1896-1957)

Chapter VI: Modern Hand Ejectors (Numbered Model Revolvers 1957-Present)

Chapter VII: Semi-Automatics (Autoloading Pistols)

Chapter VIII: Long Guns

Chapter IX: Commemoratives and Specials

Chapter X: Performance Center Guns

Chapter XI: Air Guns and Projectile Launchers (Gas, Flare, Dart, Line-Throwing)

Chapter XII: Miscellaneous Police and Firearm-Related Items

Chapter XIII: Knives

Chapter XIV: Buckles – by Pete Roberts

Chapter XV: Catalogs and Posters – by Don Mundell

Chapter XVI: Ammunition

Chapter XVII: Gimcracks and Geegaws

SECTION 3: APPENDICES

S&W Historic Milestones

Serial Number Ranges by Years

Year of Introduction, Early Models – Listing by Caliber

Year of Introduction, Numbered Models

Year of Introduction, Modern Revolvers – Listing by Caliber

Identification Characteristics

Ilustrated Glossary

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors have found helpful information in the books and publications mentioned throughout this book. They are recommended highly to those who would learn more.

The contributions of a large number of Smith & Wesson collectors and enthusiasts to all editions of this book cannot be overstated. We are indebted to them for their generosity in sharing their knowledge, observations, and experiences. Many are listed below; for those who were inadvertently omitted, our apologies.

Special thanks are due to the Smith and Wesson factory, the membership of the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association and its online webgroup, S&W Factory Historian and SWCA Chairman Roy Jinks, and the Smith-WessonForum.com online members.

In addition to Mr. Jinks, other authors and researchers whose work has added greatly to the knowledge of S&W products and history include Robert Neal, Charles Pate, and David Chicoine. All have been generous in their assistance and encouragement.

Each edition of this book has had individuals who stepped forward and took on exceptionally large roles in its production. These include:

THIRD EDITION

We’re delighted to present the 3rd Edition in full color. You will notice many photos attributed to firearms photographic specialist extraordinaire, Paul Goodwin. If you see one of Paul’s photos in this book that is less than pristine, you can be sure that is only because of the authors’ cropping, compiling and editing of his work for illustration purposes or space limitations. We appreciate his always top-drawer work and hope we did not chop it up too badly.

A number of S&W collectors and experts tackled new sections of the 3rd Edition, or extensive revisions of previous sections. Our thanks to Richard McMillian for his edit of the Autoloader section, Ray Cheely for the Registered Magnum section, James King II for his untiring research on S&W grips of every kind, Pete Roberts for the Buckles section, Bob Radaker for the .44 Mag section, John Watts for the 1st Partnership and lever action pistol section, Dave Ballantyne and Dick Burg for the boxes and accessories sections, Bill Edmiston for knife values and R.M. Vivas for the section on NY-1 revolvers. The authors compiled and revised these sections to incorporate them into the book, and if errors are noted, you can again safely assume they are the authors’ and not the contributor’s.

A number of kind folks made especially extensive and ongoing contributions to the 3d Edition. In addition to those listed above, these include Ed Cornett, Lyle Larkworthy, David Carroll, Eric Archer, Tom Horwedel, Dave Nowak, Bill Cross, John Field, John Crawford, Bill Patteson, Charlie Flick and J. Glenn Tracey.

SECOND EDITION

John Crawford, David Kosowski, and Bill Powell were exceptionally generous in checking and correcting large portions of the book.

FIRST EDITION

John Demuth; Jon Maxwell, collector and tireless note taker, for his contribution of collector information on the automatic pistols; Gary Skeet and Martha Skeet; Clarence Rinke (deceased) for the knife section; Paul Piquette for the engraving section; Danny Woo (deceased), armorer, and his family, for his comments and assistance in the first proofreading.

CONTRIBUTORS

For their special significant contributions to this or previous editions, we would like to offer our sincere thanks to the following individuals. We are sure we have regrettably omitted some folks who gave valuable input, and to them we offer our sincere apologies.

• Massad Ayoob, Bill Anderson, John Appleton of The Gun Shop

• Travis Barrett of Green Top, Steven Beatty, M/Sgt C.H. Benjamin (USAF Ret. dec.), Bob Bettis, Roger Bishop (dec.), Jerry Blanchard, Jerry Boss, Larry Bradway of S&W Customer Service Center, Ray Brazille, Tom Brown, Dick Burg

• Tommy Campbell, Harrison Carroll, Dominick Casciano, Tom Cason, Bill Cross, Donald Cassavant of Cassavants Gunshop, Ray & Sheryl Cheely, Ken Cheely, Mark Calzaretta, David Chicoine, Mike Clark of Collectors Firearms, Houston, Jerry Cochran of Trader Jerrys, Will Cordes, Edward F. Cornett, John C. Cox, Bob Coyle, John A. Crawford, Ph.D., Patrick Combs

• Diamond B Guns, Carlos Davila, Colin Dobson, Peter DeRose, Ed Draper, Charles Duffy,

• Mike Eagan, Bill Edmiston

• Bob Frost, David Feeney, Frank Frey, Charlie Flick, Cort Flint, Jerry Fountain, Jim Fisher, John Fisher

• John Gangel of Little John’s Auction, the late Gary Garbrecht, Blair Gluba, Larry Gaertner, Jim & Janice Graham, Joe Green

• Rick Hawes, Max Hayward, Carl Heinrich, Horst Held, Jon Heminger, David Hemmeter, Don Henry, Bernie Hill, Pat Hogan of Rock Island Auction, Larry House, Wayne Hazelrigg, H. W. Choc Hodges, Larry Hooten, J.M. Horn, Mike Horton of Lew Horton Dist., Joe Hopkins of Green Top, Tom Horwedel

• John Irwin

• Lloyd Jackson, Randy Jaquith, Lee Jarrett, S&W Factory Historian Roy G. Jinks, Paul Johnson, Jennifer Johnston, Ken Jorgensen

• Stephen Kelly, Tom Kelly of The S&W Performance Center, Alan S. Kinckiner, James G. King II, Jerry Klaz, Christopher Killoy, Ted Kayton, Gary Keathley, Dick Kolesar, Mike Kolozvary (TSW Mike) of S&W, David Kosowski

• Michael LaPlante, Lyle Larkworthy, Tim Larson, John D. Lawor, David Leestma, Howard Levin, Karl Leonhardt, Hal Leahy, George Linne, Lester Limerick (FBI retired, dec.), Bob Lockett of The 2nd Amendment Gun Shop, George Luttrell, Ernie Lyles of Gilbert Small Arms Range, Inc. and all the part-time Lunchtime Bunch

• William Maier, Rob Mattson, Mike Maher, Greg Martin of Butterfield & Butterfield, Many McNeil, Shawn McCarver, Jon Maxwell, Hugh & Karlyn May, Randy Mallick, J.B. Maszk (dec.), Sam Mason, John McCabe, Harrison McConnell II, Don McTiernan, Hank Means, Connell Miller, Joe Miller, Bill Molnar of The Gun Room, Geoff Moore, M. Don Mundell

• Randall Newlin, Robert Neal, Larry Niemczyk Jr., Wayne F. Novak of Novak Sights, Dave Nowak

• Chuck Odom, Mr. Bill Orr of GT Dist.

• Steven J. Parker, Andrew J. Park, Charlie Pate, David Penn, Paul Piquette-Master Engraver, Luther W.(Bill) Patteson, Bruce Perkins, Mike Pierson, Darrel Pocock, Mike Priwer, William R. Powell

• Bob Radaker, Jim Rae of the S&W Performance Center, Salvatore Raimondi, Clarence Rinke (dec.), Walter V. Roberts, John Roemer, Tim Roshetko, Charles Rozelle, Steven T. Rutledge, Lev Ryzhkov

• Jim Sebring, Christian Schmidt, Rebecca Scrivner of S&W, Liz & Chick (dec.) Shuter, Robert W. Simms, Irling Smith (dec.), Lt. Col. Jackie Smith, Martin Smith, Michael S. Smith, Craig Spegel, Mike Stuckslager (dec.), Gary Skeet, Mike Sponseller, Chuck Stellmacher, Phyllis Settembro of S&W Customer Service, David Supica, Jamie Supica, Walter Swanson

• Bruce Thompson, Michael Tait, Dan Tanko, John Torgan, John Treakle, Ralph Tremaine, Richard Tate, Dave & Matthew Teeters, J. Glenn Tracey, Bill Turnbull, Tommy and Dave of Tommy’s Books

• Mike Vancil, William Vanderpool (FBI, ret.), Robert Vivas, Bob Voliva, Joe Vore

• John Wallace (FBI, ret.), Ken Walters, Robert Webb (dec.), George Wimer, Jeff Whitehouse of S&W Customer Support, Robert Wos, Mike Wozniak, Maury Wright

• Joe Zielinski

• Folks who contributed to the 3rd Edition through Smith-WessonForum.com: parabellum, rburg, opoefc, vintagesmith, Geoff M24, RM Vivas, DWFAN, 1006TSW, 5Wire, CAJUNLAWYER, Thuer, 41collector, larkworthy, Doc44, DC7, sabre, merln2, Geezer, dghuppert, Lee Maher, Checkman, ohiococonut, Onomea, DHENRY, RonJon, Pistol Toter, CelticSire, geoff 40, HOUSTON RICK, SWSC, 45wheelgun, merlindrb, Rich S, Vermont boy, mesabi, Smithfan, Dave, 2000Z-71, Richard, Lee-Jr, SIG229fan, trf, perpster, Andy Griffith, handejector, MeAmMe, .357magger, toroflow1, KurtC, Joni_Lynn, RedCardinal, cxm, jframe, Tin, cporfe, JOliver, Joe W, Johnny J. Frame, Farmboy, JNewell, godfather1209, Modelof1891, Loaded_For_Bear, 18DAI, DB, oldflatfoot, 624 Fan, gkitch, BADSBSNF811, rickjames629, Hawgleg44, cousinelmer1, Jebus35745, 82boy, BluesBear, cgt4570, GLL, Harryo, hsguy, JDLSALES, tjpopkin, TOM BECKWITH, clipper1, bighornhunter, Mustang51, samoyed, musicmanbass, Michael Stern, merln2, 18DAI, BloodyThumb, jimmy, RonJ, jtward01, ted1trading, kdm2, S&WIowegan, Bill A, Tijeras_Slim, Timb1, Kobold_27, ogso, Babalooie, lonewolf and smith1961

PRICING ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, THIRD EDITION

• Special thanks to John Field, Bob Frost, and Gary Grace.

• 3rd Edition Midnight Pricing Panels: Dave Nowak, John Maxwell, Lyle Larkworthy, Ed Cornett, Tom Horwedel, Richard McMillan, Ron Curtis, Tom Lindner, Bruce Maher, Connell Miller, Mark Connot, The Woz, Jack Maedel, Larry Gaertner, Larry Slaten

CONTRIBUTING FIRMS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INSTITUTIONS

Our sincere thanks to the following firms, organizations, and institutions:

• Smith & Wesson, Springfield, MA

• The Smith & Wesson Collectors Association

• Smithsonian Museum of American History, Washington, DC

• The Springfield Armory Museum, Springfield, MA, especially Steven Beatty, John McCabe, and Don McTiernan, for their contributions on military handguns

• The National Archives, Washington, DC

• The National Rifle Association

• The Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, Springfield, MA

• Smith-WessonForum.com, moderated by Mike Packwood

• The SWCA online forum, moderated by Michael Speers

• S&W Collectors online group, moderated by Joe Miller

• The Ohio Gun Collectors

• Virginia Gun Collectors Association, for their collective comments and continued support among the vast sea of varied arms and arms collectors.

• Missouri Valley Arms Collectors Association

• Lew Horton Distributing Co., Inc., Westboro, MA

• Clark Brothers, Warrenton, VA

• Professional Armaments, Inc., Murray, UT

• Gilbert-Small Arms Range, Inc., Lorton VA

• Green Top Sporting Goods, Richmond, VA

SAFETY

Safety must be the first word in any firearms-related discourse.

There are many good safety rules for firearms. If the following are religiously adhered to, they will eliminate ninety-nine percent of tragic firearms accidents:

1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

2. Never allow the muzzle to point at anything you are not willing to see destroyed.

3. Be sure of your target and know what lies behind it.

4. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are aligned on target.

5. Be sure your guns are never accessible to unauthorized or untrained individuals.

COLLECTOR COURTESY AND SAFETY

There are special concerns for us who are gun collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts.

Primarily, we must guard against a tendency to ignore rules #1 and #2. We handle a large number of guns in situations where it is assumed the guns are unloaded – gun shops, gun shows, displays, auctions, and so on. In these instances, there is a tendency to consider guns as merchandise or collectibles rather than weapons. Being around hundreds or thousands of guns that are all presumed to be unloaded can result in mental laxness and unacceptably sloppy gun safety.

One of the authors liquidated at auction a 500-gun collection from the estate of a knowledgeable and safety-oriented collector/ dealer. Since the owner’s death, the collection had been inspected and moved twice by two different gun-savvy individuals, each of whom had supposedly checked the guns to be sure they were unloaded. In the final safety check before auction, we found five loaded guns. We have also had the rare but unsettling experience of finding loaded guns at other auction previews or gun shows.

In a field or range situation, it is an accepted and expected practice to check any gun you receive to be sure whether or not it is loaded. However, in a collector setting, this may not always be possible. On some very valuable mint condition or highly decorated arms, working the mechanism to check the loaded status runs the risk of marring the finish and significantly reducing the dollar value assigned to new in the box, unfired, unturned condition. This makes adherence to rules #1 and #2 even more vital.

There are some additional rules in collector situations, whether it be the world’s largest gun show or a friend’s gun room, that are a combination of safety and courtesy. Violation of these rules is the quickest way to prove yourself a lout and gun amateur, and to wear out your welcome:

1. Never handle a gun without asking the owner’s permission.

2. Never open the mechanism, dry fire, or otherwise manipulate a collectible gun without asking the owners permission.

3. If you are showing your guns, triple check to be sure they are unloaded. It is a good practice to tie the guns with plastic cable ties so they are inoperative, and to be sure not to display any loose, unsealed ammunition. Well-run gun shows will require this.

4. Control your children. Strictly enforce the no-touch rule.

A WORD ABOUT SEMI- AUTOMATICS

Most individuals who are familiar with guns know that the firing chamber of a semi-automatic pistol can be loaded even if the magazine has been removed from the gun. However, if you are familiar only with the S&W first, second, and third generation double action semi-autos, you need to pay special attention when handling a new Sigma. The metal frame S&W double action semi-auto pistols generally (but not always) have a magazine disconnect safety intended to prevent the gun from being fired when the magazine has been removed. The Sigma line does not include this feature, and is designed so that the round in the chamber can be fired when the trigger is pulled even if the magazine has been removed. A basic rule is never to trust a mechanical safety device to compensate for unsafe gun handling.

SAFETY AND OLDER GUNS

Finally, there are additional safety concerns in dealing with older guns. It is important to remember that a lot can happen to a gun over decades of use and abuse, and its always a good idea to have a competent professional gunsmith check out an older gun for safe functioning before even thinking about shooting it. Always be certain that you are using the correct ammunition for a gun, and that the gun hasn’t been converted to another caliber without being properly marked (uncommon, but it does happen). Never shoot modern high-pressure smokeless powder ammunition in a gun that was originally designed and manufactured for lower-pressure black powder cartridges. On older revolvers, the gun should never be carried with a live cartridge under the hammer. They can fire accidentally if dropped or struck on the hammer spur with the firing pin over the primer of a live cartridge. Above all, enjoy yourself! Safely!

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

First and foremost, the reader must always keep in mind three important caveats:

Values in this book are general estimates only, made at the time of publication. Be sure to read About the Value Ranges on page 10 in this introductory section.

Condition is essential to determining value. This will be obvious when looking at the value estimates in this book. You will quickly notice that the highest condition gun will often bring multiples of what the same gun would bring in the lowest condition grade. Learning to accurately evaluate the condition of a gun requires study and experience. Anyone hoping to research a gun’s value in this book must start with the section on Condition, beginning on page 49

Hey, we could be wrong. We’ve done our best to be complete and comprehensive, but there will be mistakes and omissions in this book. New information on S&Ws is constantly emerging, and collector consensus may change over time. Please see "Scope and Accuracy of Information in this Book".

We have tried to make this book easy to use so that even someone who knows nothing about guns can identify a particular model and look up its value. We have also tried to include a level of detail in the listings that will be useful to the most advanced collector, dealer, or enthusiast.

Accordingly, the gun catalog portion of this book is divided into ten sections, based on the type of gun.

Major types of S&W handguns.

1. S&W LEVER-ACTION MAGAZINE PISTOLS

Quite rare and unusual lever action pistols manufactured by the first Smith and Wesson partnership in the 1850s. This section includes background information on the company’s roots.

2. TIP-UP REVOLVERS

Barrel tips up to load, hinged at top rear of barrel. Empty cases must be punched out individually. They are listed by frame size, from smallest to largest. Manufactured 1857 - 1881.

3. TOP-BREAK REVOLVERS

Barrel tips down to load, hinged at bottom rear of barrel. Empty cases are automatically ejected when the gun is opened. They are listed by frame size, from smallest to largest. Manufactured 1870 - 1940.

4. SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS

Self-explanatory. Only possible confusion is the Straight Line model, which looks like a semi-auto at first glance. Manufactured 1893 - 1936.

5. EARLY HAND EJECTORS (NAMED MODEL REVOLVERS, 1896 )

A Hand Ejector (abbreviated HE) is the typical modern revolver with a solid frame and a cylinder that swings out to the left side to load. Listed by caliber, from smallest to largest. Empty cases are ejected by manually pushing on the end of the rod extending from the front of the cylinder, hence the name Hand Ejector. From 1896 to 1957, these guns were known primarily by a descriptive model name, often including the caliber, and sometimes the frame size, such as K-22. See next listing below.

6. NUMBERED MODEL REVOLVERS: (MODERN HAND EJECTORS, 1957 )

Beginning in 1957, S&W assigned a specific number to each different named model. These revolvers are listed in numerical order.

To check if your gun is a named or numbered model, open the cylinder and look at the front frame strap where the cylinder yoke rests when the cylinder is closed. If there is a model number (for example MOD 442), your gun will generally be listed in this section. If not, refer to the previous section. Please note that the model number may be stamped on some revolver frames without the MOD abbreviation in front of it.

7. SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS

Semi-automatic or self-loading pistols reload the chamber automatically after each shot, from a detachable magazine usually in the grip. Nearly all S&W semi-autos have a model number stamped on them, and this section is listed in numerical order.

Model marking on numbered model revolvers.

8. LONG GUNS

Rifles and shotguns, along with the curious Revolving Rifle, Light Rifle, and the Machine Pistol.

9. PERFORMANCE CENTER, SPECIALS, AND COMMEMORATIVE GUNS

Here we have cataloged most of the S&W Performance Center handguns made since its inception, both revolvers and semi-auto pistols. Also listed are commemorative and special edition firearms.

10. MISCELLANEOUS NON-GUN S&W PRODUCTS

Air guns, gas guns, flare guns, police items, ammunition, knives, catalogs, gimcracks, and geegaws. At one time or another Smith & Wesson produced everything from neckties to washing machines! This is not a complete listing, but at least a beginning on cataloging the many miscellaneous items produced or marketed by Smith & Wesson.

A NOTE ON THESE GROUPINGS

In most previously published works, S&Ws have usually been listed either by caliber, chronologically, or seemingly at random. The first two types of listings can be very instructive when studying the entire S&W product line, and can be very useful to the knowledgeable collector who is looking up a specific gun. However, they can be confusing to the neophyte who may not be sure exactly what model he is looking up, much less the caliber or when it was made.

After careful consideration, we decided that listing by the above ten types would be the easiest and quickest method, allowing all users to find the specific gun they seek. Using our system, the area most likely to create confusion is the division of the hand ejectors into named and numbered groupings. We considered using the caliber or chronological order, or grouping them all together, or breaking them down along other divisions, such as:

• Prewar vs. postwar

• Carbon steel vs. stainless

• Frame size (M, I, J, K, L, and N)

• Related model (Model 629 listed with Model 29)

Heck, we even considered listing by the number of screws in the frame! However, we always came back to the fact that a model number stamped on the frame is a quick and sure identification, and should be used in numerical order to allow speedy location of the desired information whenever possible.

The major weakness of this system is that it creates something of an artificial break in the 1950s era Hand Ejectors. The reader must remember that the last .38 M&P produced in 1957 is no different from the first Model 10 produced the same year, other than the model number stamped on the latter. This is recognized by collectors in their terminology. For example, a .44 Magnum without a model number marking will often be referred to as a Pre-Model 29. In researching 1950s era Hand Ejectors, you would do well to check the information under both the named and numbered HE sections. These 1950s models have been cross-referenced between the two sections for your convenience.

USING THE 17 CHAPTERS

When you have determined in which chapter you’re most likely to find your gun, turn to the beginning of that chapter and review the listing of all guns in that section.

The chapters on magazine pistols, tip-ups, single-shots, long guns, and miscellaneous non-guns are relatively brief, due to the limited number of models of these types.

Most chapters have additional information at the beginning explaining a little more about that type of gun, including special safety and legal concerns. Also explained in more detail is how to find the specific gun you are looking for within that section.

A grouping of related models within one of the chapters may be preceded by a narrative background information section providing historical context and other information pertaining to that group of guns.

USING THE LISTING FOR THE INDIVIDUAL MODEL

The listing for each individual gun will include most of the following:

• Model name, along with other names and collector nicknames.

• Description of the model, including physical description, various options, historical background, etc.

• Serial number range, number produced, years produced. Please note that serial number ranges, etc., are often approximate, sometimes with no hard and fast cutoff number separating one variation from another.

• ID key, included primarily on the early models, is the briefest possible list of characteristics that identify that SPECIFIC model. If all these characteristics are present, the gun must be the model indicated.

• Value ranges, which list our estimate of the retail value of the gun based on condition. It is vital to study the chapter on evaluating condition to be able to effectively use the value ranges listed. The condition ratings have specific meanings, and without a thorough understanding of these, the values are meaningless.

• Auction Block or Price Check - These notations are provided to give you a sense to the real world marketplace for rare or special guns (such as engraved or historically attributed). They list, respectively, the price reported for the sale of a particular gun at auction or the price asked by a dealer in advertising a specific gun. Be sure to read the important note on these at page 13.

• Historic notes pointing out historic usage of a gun or ownership of that model by famous or infamous individuals. Note that historic attribution is seldom a certain thing. For a discussion, see "Historic Notes" in the Illustrated Glossary at the end of this book.

• Variations are the reported variations of a specific model that may be of special interest to collectors, including both variations created by the factory and variations interesting because of their historical usage.

• Chronology of changes, included primarily on the numbered models, indicating changes during production, sometimes noted by adding a dashed suffix to the model (i.e., Model 29 was followed by Model 29-1, which in turn was followed by Model 29-2, etc.). When a chronology of changes is listed, it will include the model, the year the change was instituted, and the change that was made. For example: Model 11-3 1962 Eliminate the trigger guard screw

• Product codes are found only on listings for items produced since 1984. These are the numbers used by S&W to identify specific configurations or variations of the model, and may be found on the guns box. They can be used to absolutely specify a particular model and configuration. Sometimes called the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit). Product Codes can include the code number, configuration, years of production, and sometimes additional comments. However, the authors have found in some cases two product codes for the same handgun, possibly due to early release of printed data sheets as compared to actual codes on a given box. For example: Product Code: 102502 S RB 1984-95 28 oz.

USING THE ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY

The Illustrated Glossary and Index following the catalog sections provides explanations and photo illustrations of terms used by S&W collectors. The terms are indexed to the catalog section where appropriate.

ABOUT THE VALUE RANGES

The values in this book are not cast in stone. We have tried to reflect the actual marketplace prices at which items exchange hands between a buyer and seller, both of whom are willing and motivated to close a deal in a gun show type setting. We sought the input of many knowledgeable dealers and collectors. However, the true value of a gun is the dollar amount that it takes to make a transfer from willing seller to a willing buyer happen on a particular day.

One only has to watch a well-run live auction by a specialty firearms dealer to realize the difficulty of estimating values. Usually the estimated prices printed in the auction catalog will span a wide range (for example $1000 to $1700). These estimates are often prepared by some of the top experts in the field. Even so, any given gun may actually sell significantly above or below the estimate, occasionally at multiples of the high estimate or scant fractions of the low estimate.

With the emergence of internet markets and cataloged national level firearms auctions, we believe that many of the regional value fluctuations have been minimized for collector firearms. However, one factor that needs to be mentioned is the impact of restrictive gun laws on values. The most notable immediate example is California, a state infamous for its goofy restrictions on firearms sales & purchases. Collectors there tell us that due to import prohibitions, some older Smiths may be bring as much as a 20% premium in that region. You have our sympathy. We suggest you move immediately. Kansas is renowned for its natural beauty, and if you play your cards right one of the authors could probably arrange an even-up swap, taking some unmarketable earthquake-prone ocean-front property for some lovely, C&R-friendly pasture. Will throw in cow-tipping lessons.

Buyers at commercial retail gun shops should expect to pay anywhere from 88 to 96% of retail. Price should reflect the service you receive and the dealer’s reputation for standing behind his merchandise. The NIB price listed for current production models is the price at which such items are being sold in gun show or trade paper contexts, and the prospective buyer should understand that he will be investing his time instead of his money in locating the particular model he wants at this price. In cases of internet purchases, once the buyer adds in shipping and transfer fee at a local gun shop, he may find that he could have bought for the same price off the shelf at the shop with less hassle, on current production guns.

Pricing is not an exact art by any means. Sometimes, especially on rare items, any two of the most advanced authorities in the nation may not be within fifty percent of each other’s value estimates. On common items, a professional dealer will of course be able to buy slightly below many of the values listed. He may also ask slightly above the values listed – this is how he feeds his family. In return, the individual who buys at the professional dealer’s gun shop or through his catalog should expect to receive knowledgeable guidance and someone who will stand behind the merchandise long after the gun show hobby dealer has packed his tablecloth and gone home.

Where we did not have a sense of the value of a particular variation, we tended to withhold comment, leaving it to the reader’s discretion to determine how much rarity is worth in that particular situation. Bear in mind that rarity does not always equal a high premium. There may be only ten examples known of a given item, but there may be only two people who care about that variation.

Also, it may take some time to sell a scarce variation at full value. There is a ready market for common models that are in current vogue as shooters. However, it may take a specialist dealer six months or more to find the right buyer for a particular obscure variation. The collector who wishes to sell such an item quickly will usually have to settle for some fraction of the potential value.

Commemorative and related guns have often been priced in NIB (new in box) condition only. Once such an item has been fired, its value tends to drop toward that of a similar non-decorated gun used as a shooter. This would probably be true to a lesser degree on individually engraved guns, where the premium paid is more for the artistic quality of the decoration, although individually engraved guns that have been used will bring less than those that are pristine.

The collector should be ever vigilant about the purchase of rare handguns. As more information becomes available to the trading public, counterfeit handguns also become more available. Certainly every collector, including the authors, has made a costly purchase with insufficient information and regretted it later.

For the high-dollar rarities, there is a very small but very enthusiastic market. However, tapping into that market may be difficult. It is not uncommon for one of these items to begin its trip up the buying chain at a fraction of its ultimate price, going to successively more sophisticated buyers, each of whom makes a profit on the item until it finds its way to one of maybe a half dozen or so collectors who both want and can afford it for their collections. Some dealers with these connections will pay nearly any price for an exceptional piece on the next greater fool marketing theory, which states that for the best known example, there is always someone out there who has to have it and will pay more.

The authors must confess that we have not yet found the key to exploiting this approach, probably more through our parsimonious reflexes when confronted with the prices of these items than the lack of greed. The few times we have tried to cash in, we have found ourselves seemingly perched precariously at the top of the pyramid. At such moments, we can only take solace in the Collectors Consolation Corollary: You can’t pay too much for a fine gun; you can only pay too soon.

The beginning collector is encouraged to find a mentor for advice and guidance in this fascinating (and sometimes costly) avocation. Attend lots of shows and ask lots of questions. Collectors agree that the best-educated collector is one who keeps extensive notes on his personal observations for future reference.

VALUE TRENDS – THIRD EDITION

In previous editions, we’ve commented that S&W collecting seemed to be a relatively small field compared to some other firearms specialty fields, especially when considering the historical importance of the company and the quality of its products. This is certainly no longer the case, with interest at a high level and values in many areas escalating rapidly.

It seems that common knowledge attributes this increase to the impact of the internet, and certainly there is some truth in this. Gun collecting is no longer a process of attending gun shows scattered around the country or scrounging pawn shops for hidden gems. The internet provides quick access to specialized information in the field, and has changed a local market to a national and even global one.

Potential sellers who have little knowledge of collectible firearms values can, with an hour of so of casual searching on the web, begin research on the possible value of their guns and find a forum where they will have exposure to a national audience. Buyers looking for rarities no longer have to devote days, weeks and months to a search for a hidden gem. In their spare time in the evening after work, they can log on, browse the auction sites and specialty forums, and locate a number of interesting items that are available for acquisition. If there’s a question about authenticity, rarity, or value of a piece, they can post their question in an online forum and usually have a number of opinions of other enthusiasts posted within 24 hours.

However, the internet alone does not explain the skyrocketing interest in S&W handguns. Interest, especially in classic S&W Hand Ejector revolvers and 1920s to 1960s N-frames in particular, seems to be at an all-time high with no sign of letting up in the near future.

There seems to be a generational component to this interest, with many of those actively pursuing the classic HEs falling in the 40 to 60 age range. Meanwhile, interest in antique S&W tip-up and top-break revolvers seems to be moving at a much more leisurely pace, with many of the collectors specializing in these areas running a few years older than the HE crowd, possibly corresponding to those who were kids in the heyday of the Hollywood Western era.

Registered Magnums are the glamour guns right now, and it seems that the increasing value on these has to be tracked on a monthly basis. Bob Bettis reports the following story, which illustrates the current feeding frenzy for Registered Magnums.

In September, 2003 I bought a Registered Magnum from a well-known dealer. The gun is a common variety (I can’t imagine I just said that about an RM!) in that it has a 6.5 barrel, and the original numbered Magna grips. The gun is, at least, a very solid 98% by all parties who have seen it. The selling dealer had it priced at $1700 and I was able to purchase it for $1500.

"In April 2004 I traded it to a fellow SWCA member, as partial payment for an engraved RM. I valued it in that transaction at about $2500.

"While in that collector’s possession, it acquired a very nice blue box to live in. This past week I repurchased the gun and its box for $6000. The seller had an offer of $6500; however, since he and I had a gentlemen’s agreement to give each other the right of first refusal on either of the guns in our previous transaction, he offered it to me at 6K.

If I attribute the value of the blue box at $1000, which seems to be a standing offer from several folks, that would put the appreciation in value of this particular gun from $1500 to $5000 in roughly two and a half years. That certainly may not be indicative of anything and may only be an inflated version of that old saw about two collectors swapping two $500 cats for a $1000 dog.

Other classic N-frames spanning both sides of WWII also are highly sought after right now, with rapidly escalating prices. The .38-44 Outdoorsman and Heavy Duty revolvers are very popular with collectors, with prices rising steadily. (Not so long ago, these were hard to sell – no one wanted a big heavy N-frame chambered for the measley .38 Special cartridge in the days of magnumitis.) Special attention is paid to (and special prices paid for) the early post-WWII transitional N frames, made in pre-war configuration but with post-war hammer block safety and finish. Other rare variations from the late 1950s during the switch from named models to numbered models are bringing big money from advanced collectors.

The smaller frame Hand Ejectors also seem to enjoy increasing interest, although generally not as dramatically as the big guns. Among these, early and rare J frame variations seem to run strong. The K-frame S&W, the quintessential American handgun of the 20th century, seems to lag a bit behind the Js and Ns, except for the rarest variations, possibly because of the large numbers made of most variations. The pre-J I-frames, especially the .32 Hand Ejectors, seem to have the lowest level of interest, although rarities in high condition will still bring great prices. Collectors interested in getting into the classic Hand Ejectors on a budget may find opportunities in the Is and Ks.

The combination of rarity and high condition brings the big money in the HE field. In the rarest variations in the most popular models, even a lower condition gun can still bring considerable money.

Values on the highest condition antique tip-up and top-break S&Ws also seem to be increasing at a steady pace, outstripping the increase in value of lower condition specimens. With apparently fewer antique collectors right now, it is sometimes possible to still find sleepers among the rare variations available at relatively lower prices, especially in the lower condition grades. The best condition antiques, those approaching as new condition, are quick sellers at good prices, generally with the older the gun the higher the premium paid for condition.

It’s important to note that these better than Antique Excellent but not quite As New antiques, i.e., those with around 98+% original finish, bring a substantial premium above those that are just in Antique Excellent condition, especially among those early models where truly As New in Box guns may be virtually non-existent. We have tried to recognize that trend in this Edition by adding an Excellent Plus condition value rating to some antique models.

Among the antiques that consistently sell high and quick in top condition are Americans, Model One First Issues, and Schofields. And, of course, the master period-engraved pristine condition antiques are among those bringing the highest values in the S&W field.

Speaking of which, live cataloged firearms auctions continue to be the dominant marketplace for the highest dollar S&Ws, despite the increasing influence of the internet. In fact, most of the top firearms auction houses now post their entire auction catalogs on their websites, and some are beginning to accept online bids. These should not be confused with eBay style internet auctions, which seem to be effective in selling more modern shooter-grade firearms, but which seem unable to get market penetration for the high-dollar collectibles that bring the record prices in the live auction format.

There are significantly fewer collectors for the S&W autopistols than for revolvers. Those who do venture into this area find an overwhelming smorgasboard of models and variations. Sales of new semi-autos seem to do well for S&W, but in general they appear not to hold their resale value quite as well as S&W revolvers. Some of the 2nd and 3rd Generation traditional autopistol models which were produced in small quantities seem to be in a transitional market, from low value shooters to higher value collectibles.

The internal lock – For the past few years, all main production S&W revolvers have been manufactured with a built-in internal lock. With the turn of an included separate key, a revolver can be locked so that it cannot be fired. While this added safety feature will have appeal to many buyers, other shooters have a strong preference for the pre-lock model, and many shooters and collectors contend that a pre-lock revolver will bring a 10% to 20% premium over the same model in comparable condition with the internal lock. Shooters &collectors do tend to be traditionalists, and other past changes such as elimination of pinned barrels & recessed cylinders, and the switch to stainless steel construction, have encountered similar resistance in the past, yet gone on to be highly successful evolutionary changes in the product line.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON AUCTION BLOCK & PRICE CHECK REPORTS

These reports of prices realized or asked on rare or exceptional guns may be of interest when tackling the value of unusual pieces.

When looking at the prices reported in these notes, it’s important to remember that many S&Ws have been increasing in value at a brisk clip. Prices reported from three years ago may have more meaning as historical notations of where the market was at that time, rather than a reflection of value of a similar piece today.

Condition descriptions are brief excerpts quoted from the auction catalog or dealer listings. It’s important to remember that such brief excerpts will not fully describe the gun and that catalog descriptions themselves may vary in correctly identifying a variation or grading condition, or that auctioneers or dealers may use condition terminology that is different from other standards.

With regard to Auction Block reports, bear in mind that a gun may go much higher than expected at auction if there are two collectors bidding both of whom must have the piece, or lower if there are no bidders seriously interested in it. Also, note that not all reported auction sales are necessarily actual sales – some auction houses will report no sales for guns that did not meet the reserve price (minimum bid) as sales. We have attempted to report the price realized including the buyer’s premium (a percentage which is added on to the gavel price, usually 10% to 15%). Prices do not include sales tax or shipping.

With regard to Price Checks, bear in mind that the asking price may not be the price at which a gun actually will change hands. Some dealers are firm in their pricing, while others will ask more than they expect to get, anticipating that a buyer will want to dicker or offer guns in trade. This makes it easier for the dealer to pretend to offer a greater amount on the trade-in, or to clinch the deal by letting the buyer beat him down to the amount he was willing to accept in the first place. Other times, a seller may like the gun himself, and price it high hoping that it doesn’t sell (silly, but true). Prices listed in forums such as Gun List may actually be less than what the buyer ends up paying, since it does not include shipping or the transferring dealer’s fee.

Another interesting phenomena with regard to classified ad style for sale listings in formats such as Gun List, Shotgun News, or online auctions is that they may be research by the seller rather than actual offers to sell. The theory is that if a potential seller has what he believes to be desirable piece and is not sure what to ask, he may post an ad at a set price just to test the market. If he gets no calls, he knows he’s too high. If he gets several calls, he tells them all that the gun has already been sold, and raises his sights the next time he offers it for sale. The authors find this practice, particularly lying about having sold the gun, to be tap-dancing heavily on the bad side of the fine line that divides ethical from unethical business practices. We report is here so that the reader may be advised.

SCOPE & ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK

This is a book by two S&W collectors, with the help of many other S&W collectors, for S&W collectors and others interested in identifying and estimating the value of Smith and Wesson firearms and other products. It is not intended to be a definitive history of S&W and its products – topics which have been well covered in books such as Neal & Jinks’ Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 and Jinks’ History of Smith & Wesson (see the section on Resources and Bibliography).

We have no official position with Smith & Wesson or special access to S&W information, although numerous S&W employees have been very helpful in researching this book. S&W has an official Historian, Roy Jinks, whose decades of experience with the firm and research into the factory records have resulted in an extensive body of information on the topic. In any case where there is a discrepancy between the information in this book and the information available from the S&W Historian, it would seem to us to be best to rely on the information from the official records via company historian.

We have received much help from fellow S&W enthusiasts in compiling this book. When an observation is reported by a credible collector, we tend to include it in this book, often noting it as reported or similar language. We verify it to the extent possible, but the reader should bear in mind that this information is not carved in stone. Such information is included in this book in the hopes that it may provide a clue to an interested individual to research further. To us, such exploration seems part of the fun of the hobby of collecting – we hope you agree!

Section One

COLLECTING SMITH & WESSON:

SPECIAL CONCERNS AND TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Smith & Wesson may legitimately be characterized as the premier handgun manufacturer of the United States and the world. Its rich history and wide range of products make it a fascinating study for historians and a treasure trove for collectors. It was the first American maker of repeating handguns that fire self-contained metallic cartridges, and continues as the leader in the police, civilian, military, and sporting handgun market today.

Odds are good that any shooting sportsman or general gun enthusiast will have at least one Smith & Wesson around. It would be difficult to find a gun shop anywhere that didn’t have a few S&Ws in the handgun display case. Any time a double-action revolver or semi-auto pistol purchase is planned, it’s likely that a Smith & Wesson product will at least be considered.

Accordingly, we’ve tried to make a book that will be straightforward and useful to the general dealer or gun enthusiast, as well as contain a level of detail useful to the most advanced collector. We’ll start out by discussing a few concepts that you need to grasp in order to speak S&W. (Hint: Check out the Illustrated Glossary at the end of the book if you run into confusing terminology.)

FRAME SIZES OF REVOLVERS

S&W revolvers are often referred to by frame sizes. On the tip-ups and top-breaks, these are numbers. On Hand Ejectors, they are letters.

Frame sizes of Tip-up (rimfire: rf) and Top-break (centerfire: cf) revolvers.

TIP-BREAK TOP-BREAK

• Model 1 frame – smallest; 7-shot .22 tip-up only

• Model 1-1/2 frame – medium small; 5-shot .32 tip-up or top-break

• Model 2 frame – medium; 6-shot .32 tip-up or 5-shot .38 top-break

• Model 3 frame – large; 6-shot .44 top-break

Frame sizes of Hand Ejectors.

HAND EJECTORS

• M frame – smallest; 7-shot old model Ladysmith only; no longer made.

• I frame – small; 6-shot .32 size; no longer made; has leaf mainspring, replaced by the improved I frame.

• Improved I frame – still a small frame but with a coil mainspring, Usually a 4 screw frame, replaced by the J frame.

• J frame – small; 5-shot .38 size; (6 in .32 caliber) current production; Chiefs Special sized. This frame was enlarged slightly in 1995 to accept the .357 Magnum round, and may be called the J Magnum frame. By 1997, all J-frame revolvers were produced on the J Magnum frame.

• K frame – medium; 6-shot .38 size; current production; .38 Military & Police size. Redesigned in 1999.

• L frame – medium-large; compromise between K and N size; current production, redesigned in 1999.

• N frame – large frame; 6-shot .44 size; current production; .44 Magnum size, redesigned in 1999.

• X frame – humongous frame with K-frame grip; recently introduced for the .500 Magnum.

Although the above J, K, L, N frame size terminology is generally used by collectors to designate both carbon steel and stainless steel revolver frame sizes, the S&W factory uses a separate set of letters to designate stainless steel frame sizes. In this system, a stainless J-sized frame is an E frame, a stainless K is an F, a stainless L is an H, and a stainless N frame is a G frame. For more information on factory frame designations, see the beginning of the "Numbered Model Revolver" section.

SCREWS: 3, 4, OR 5

S&W collectors often refer to Hand Ejector (HE) revolvers by the number of screws in the frame. From about 1905 to 1955 most Hand Ejectors had five screws – four sideplate screws and a screw in the front of the trigger guard. About 1955, the top sideplate screw was eliminated on most models, and these are referred to as four-screw guns. Around 1961, the trigger guard screw was eliminated, and all subsequent production is known as three-screw. When counting screws, remember that the rear sideplate screw is covered by some types of grips, and don’t overlook the trigger guard screw that enters from the front of the trigger guard. To confuse things further, the earliest Hand Ejectors, 1896 - 1905, had only four screws (pre-five-screw four-screws?), and some models had a sixth screw, a locking screw that held in place the top sideplate screw, found in early alloy frame revolvers.

Screw count on Hand Ejector frame.

PINNED AND RECESSED

Pinned vs. non-pinned barrel.

Recessed vs. non-recessed cylinder.

This refers to Hand Ejectors made prior to about 1982. Prior to that time, all Hand Ejectors had the barrel fixed to the frame by a pin through the rear of the barrel and the frame and all magnum caliber revolvers had recessed chambers to enclose the rim of the cartridges. Rimfire .22 Long Rifle cylinders have been counterbored since 1935 and continue so to this day. When the Magnum centerfire caliber recessed cylinder was discontinued the overall length of the cylinder was changed to make up for the difference in rim thickness.

GENERATIONS OF SEMI-AUTOS

The centerfire metal frame traditional double action style semi-autos produced from 1954 to date are sometimes referred to by their generation:

First Generation: Made 1954 - 1982. Examples have two-digit model designations, most notably Model 39 and Model 59.

Second Generation: Made 1980 - 1988. Many improvements, some oriented to ensure reliable function with new styles of ammunition developed since introduction of first generation. Examples generally have three-digit model designations.

Third Generation: Made 1988 - date. Many improvements; most obvious on casual inspection are improved ergonomics of a more rounded comfortable grip. Examples usually have a four-digit model designation. (There are two notable exceptions – the no-frills variations of these models, which tend to have three digit model designations in the 900s; and the compact Chiefs Special versions of‚ these models which have model designations consisting of CS plus the caliber – i.e., CS-40.)

Note: Not all S&W semi-autos fit into the generation designations. Examples include the early .32 and .35 pocket semi-autos, .22 semi-autos, the polymer-framed Sigma series introduced in 1994, and the Walther design SW-99 introduced in 1999.

TYPE OF FINISH

As with all gun collectors, S&W enthusiasts invariably seek guns with original factory finish.

Generally, but not always, a blued top-break revolver will bring a bit more than a nickel gun in comparable condition. There are at least three reasons: First, for most of the 19th-century nickel was a more popular finish and in most, but not all, models was a more common finish than blue. Secondly, nickel finish is more durable than blue, so a higher proportion of surviving nickel guns will show more finish than their blued counterparts. Finally, a nickel gun that has lost a good portion of its finish can have a dark and bright mottled appearance that many collectors dislike, while a blue gun tends to have a more blended appearance to its color as it loses its finish.

As we move into the Hand Ejectors, single-shots, and semiautomatics, the situation tends to be reversed. In most, but not all, of the later models, blue was much more common than nickel and there was an additional charge for nickel plating.

Over the past two decades, stainless steel has become the overwhelming choice of revolver buyers, to the extent that some blued carbon steel models have been discontinued in favor of their stainless steel counterparts. On a S&W purchased for actual use, stainless models nearly always bring more than their blued or nickeled counterparts. Where a substantial premium is paid for a particular finish, we have tried to note it in the listing of the individual model.

Special finishes will generally bring a premium if factory original. Among tip-ups and top-breaks, silver or gold plating may occasionally be found. Among Hand Ejectors, two-tone nickel and blue finished guns, nicknamed pintos, could be special-ordered during certain eras.

Examples of scarce special-order Pinto finish.

REFINISHED GUNS

Identifying a refinished gun is very much an inexact art, but can be vitally important when considering paying a hefty premium for an antique or