Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns So I started collecting Older Smiths a couple of years ago

I have a lot to learn and prices are going crazy but here is some of what I've been able to get at reasonable numbers.
Regards,
Steve

629 Pinned/Transition[/URL[URL=http://s805.photobucket.com/user/EQFD193/media/IMG_3544.jpg.html]Model 28-66-629-3 527-2

A very nice start to your collection. I can't see the pin in that 629........I had one back in the early 80's that was still recessed but not pinned. Wish I still had that one.

Thanks Doug, I have others( 686 CS1 3" and 4",520NIB, some model 65's NIB, John Jovino custom etc) and will share photos down the road

Regards,
Steve

EQFD193: Steve what a great "start" to your collection!
Good for you and in MY humble opinion you are making a wise decision/choice in "collecting" Smith & Wesson revolvers!
I started out "using" Smith & Wesson's both personally and professionally 48 years ago.
I now consider myself less of a "user" to being a "beginning" Smith & Wesson collector. With my favorite era for collecting are the decades of the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's.
I have 39 Smith's in my gun vault room and gun safes (only one is a semi-auto - the rest are revolvers) today.
I am simply amazed (stunned?) at how they have appreciated over the years.
For instance the first of my three S&W Model 60's I bought new in 1969 for $90.00 - nowadays they are worth many times that amount!
Best of luck to you in your "collecting" and enjoy yourself as you do.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Thanks VG...I am also amazed on how much appreciation I've gained on just some smart purchases over the last two years...I have 36 on my carry...32 are revolvers 28 are Smiths and believe me I'm not done by a long shot !!

Regards,
Steve

Great choices!

Looks like you need some L frame in your life now!

Always open to suggestions

Sold all my collectible Smiths & focus my $$$ on Ruger SAA's.

Me neither. Wasn't aware they pinned any 629's.

The 629's were never pinned or have recessed cylinders. They stopped that process in 1982. At least according to my S&W historic bible.

Very nice collection. I'm a big fan of S&W revolvers.

The 629 was introduced in 1978 in 6" only. The 4" and 8 3/8" came out in 1981 and are the rare versions as they were only pinned & recessed for one year (1981). Here are some 629s in different dash #s, two of which are pinned & recessed "no dash" versions (top and bottom left):

Cool beans. I was going off memory and I probably should have checked the reference. But for some reason, I had it stuck in my mind that it was never offered. Good to know as if I ever run across one, I will know it is a rare find.

Congrats on a nice collection. I like S&W double actions better than Colt's and I think older Smiths have more potential upside than Colts at this point.

S&W's are just wonderful revolvers. To me they seem to find the right balance of desirable features. Sure the K & N frame are both just slightly under-sized for magnum cartridges, but the 19 & 29 just make for fantastic magnum carry guns.

I would rather shoot a S&W loose than buy a Ruger, Colt, or Taurus.

Thanks Guys, I'm having a lot of fun building the collection....Shot the 66-2 and the 686 CS 1 4" this past Sunday

I'm up around 80 Smiths, and have started to seek out the hard to find ones. Model 35 (6" J frame .22 made from 1953-1973), model 60-1 Ashland (J frame Chief's Special 2" with adjustable sights), model 50 and 36 Chief Special Targets (2" with adjustable sights), model 51 in nickel (J frame 22 mag 3.5"), the 3 barrel lengths of 629 no dash (pinned & recessed), etc etc. I am happy to say I have all those above, as I tend to lean towards N, J, and I frame Smiths from post-war up till S&W ruined them in 1996 with the cast metal innards. Good luck in your search, that's half the fun!

desertoakie, that is quite an accomplishment !!!!!...with the way prices are going up that number might be a stretch for me.... But I'll keep picking away at it and have fun in the process.

The original 629's were both pinned and recessed. The 629-1 dropped this feature. I had a 6" 629-1 that did not have the pinned barrel but still had the recessed cylinder. Evidently they made a few with leftover parts from the no-dash series. I really wish I still had that one as it is probably a definite collectible now.