Help me spend some money

reteach · August 27, 2018, 11:19 AM

I was born in 1950. The idea has popped into my brain that it would be neat to own a handgun made in 1950. I'm thinking about Smith and Wesson. I know how to look up a serial number and find the year of manufacture, but how do I shop for a gun made in a specific year? I don't want to break the bank on this, so going to a collector to browse their stock probably wouldn't work because of the price they would ask. So, any ideas?

Dufus · August 27, 2018, 11:25 AM

No

jmhyer · August 27, 2018, 11:46 AM

No particular ideas from me, other than the one you kind of just came up with...that is, posting on various forums that you would like to purchase a pistol made in 1950. Basically, a "want to buy" ad. Then see what responses you get.

lee n. field · August 27, 2018, 11:48 AM

Was there anything that came out in 1950? Chief's Special?

T. O'Heir · August 27, 2018, 12:29 PM

"...shop for a gun made in a specific year..." Like jmhyer says, try a 'Want to buy" add on one of the auction sites. Best to be very specific about condition, barrel length, etc, etc. And require a return agreement with the seller. Most auction site sellers seem to be dealers that may or may not have an actual store. Lot of 'em don't want the return agreement.
"...the price they would ask..." Will be an issue anyway. You want something specific that isn't easy to come by. Tends to bring out the vultures. However, if you decide on a budget first and stick to it, it might help.

Sevens · August 27, 2018, 12:36 PM

Well, if you are trying to do this on a tight budget, it could be horribly difficult, bordering on impossible. However, if you are absolutely willing to spend what is likely to be extra funds to get exactly what you seek, then it's absolutely possible to do so... for Smith & Wesson especially but also for Colt guns, start shopping guns where the owner has requested, paid for and received a factory letter.

The letter isn't an insignificant amount of money and it also took someone time to request and wait for it. The gun is typically going to cost more with a factory letter than a similar gun without one.

There are many many folks with these on the Smith & Wesson forum.

What's a much tougher one to get (but some persistent folks still claim to try to chase them, with what I imagine is a VERY low rate of success...) are the guys who chase after an actual "birthday gun." They seek to own a gun that was shipped on their actual day of birth.

That's a major crapshoot, you've got to get awfully lucky to find something like that.

I'd estimate that it may be some 365 times more difficult than what you seek!

Onward Allusion · August 27, 2018, 01:11 PM

Do a search on Gunbroker. For older guns, sellers will list year of manufacture if known. Year can be confirmed by SN less the last few numbers and most sellers are willing to share that info.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/782101628
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/783821386

AFK · August 27, 2018, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Go to gun shows. Have the serial number to year ratio with you. Look through older S&W model 10's.

I agree, I think this would be the most fun way to do it at least. Sometimes the search is half the fun. Just be careful, you'll probably find other things to bring home though.

reteach · August 27, 2018, 05:24 PM

Onward -
I definitely like that Model 25. In fact, both guns you linked to are excellent examples of Smith and Wesson's art. I didn't have a particular budget in mind when I asked the question. I'll have to think about that.
Thanks guys. Some good ideas to consider.

Mike38 · August 27, 2018, 05:37 PM

Keep searching auction sites such as www.rockislandauction.com or for sale sites such as www.simpsonltd.com and check every listing. I think they give the serial number in the description, if not the pictures usually show the serial number. Then look up serial number for the year made.

McShooty · August 28, 2018, 02:40 PM

The last iteration of the S&W 38/44 Outdoorsman, a large frame 38 Special with 6.5 in bbl, is the Model of 1950. It is a super revolver.

ammo.crafter · August 28, 2018, 03:13 PM

What came to mind immediately is a S&W Target Masterpiece in 38 Special.

Check out gunbroker or similar on line businesses.

bn12gg · August 28, 2018, 07:26 PM

Get smart focus on the late 40's early 50's era. Good luck.

.02. David.

mr bolo · August 31, 2018, 06:43 PM

a Russian SKS with a 1950 date, a nice collectable surplus rifle from the Cold War era.

August 27, 2018, 11:19 AM	#1
reteach Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 378	Help me spend some money I was born in 1950. The idea has popped into my brain that it would be neat to own a handgun made in 1950. I'm thinking about Smith and Wesson. I know how to look up a serial number and find the year of manufacture, but how do I shop for a gun made in a specific year? I don't want to break the bank on this, so going to a collector to browse their stock probably wouldn't work because of the price they would ask. So, any ideas?

August 27, 2018, 11:48 AM	#4
lee n. field Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2002 Location: The same state as Mordor. Posts: 5,568	Was there anything that came out in 1950? Chief's Special? __________________ "As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. "

August 27, 2018, 12:29 PM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...shop for a gun made in a specific year..." Like jmhyer says, try a 'Want to buy" add on one of the auction sites. Best to be very specific about condition, barrel length, etc, etc. And require a return agreement with the seller. Most auction site sellers seem to be dealers that may or may not have an actual store. Lot of 'em don't want the return agreement. "...the price they would ask..." Will be an issue anyway. You want something specific that isn't easy to come by. Tends to bring out the vultures. However, if you decide on a budget first and stick to it, it might help. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 27, 2018, 12:36 PM	#6
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,755	Well, if you are trying to do this on a tight budget, it could be horribly difficult, bordering on impossible. However, if you are absolutely willing to spend what is likely to be extra funds to get exactly what you seek, then it's absolutely possible to do so... for Smith & Wesson especially but also for Colt guns, start shopping guns where the owner has requested, paid for and received a factory letter. The letter isn't an insignificant amount of money and it also took someone time to request and wait for it. The gun is typically going to cost more with a factory letter than a similar gun without one. There are many many folks with these on the Smith & Wesson forum. What's a much tougher one to get (but some persistent folks still claim to try to chase them, with what I imagine is a VERY low rate of success...) are the guys who chase after an actual "birthday gun." They seek to own a gun that was shipped on their actual day of birth. That's a major crapshoot, you've got to get awfully lucky to find something like that. I'd estimate that it may be some 365 times more difficult than what you seek! __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 27, 2018, 01:11 PM	#7
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	Do a search on Gunbroker. For older guns, sellers will list year of manufacture if known. Year can be confirmed by SN less the last few numbers and most sellers are willing to share that info. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/782101628 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/783821386 __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

August 27, 2018, 11:25 AM	#2
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	No

August 27, 2018, 11:46 AM	#3
jmhyer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: MS - USA Posts: 899	No particular ideas from me, other than the one you kind of just came up with...that is, posting on various forums that you would like to purchase a pistol made in 1950. Basically, a "want to buy" ad. Then see what responses you get.

August 27, 2018, 05:24 PM	#9
reteach Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 378	Onward - I definitely like that Model 25. In fact, both guns you linked to are excellent examples of Smith and Wesson's art. I didn't have a particular budget in mind when I asked the question. I'll have to think about that. Thanks guys. Some good ideas to consider.

August 27, 2018, 05:37 PM	#10
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	Keep searching auction sites such as www.rockislandauction.com or for sale sites such as www.simpsonltd.com and check every listing. I think they give the serial number in the description, if not the pictures usually show the serial number. Then look up serial number for the year made.

August 28, 2018, 02:40 PM	#11
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	The last iteration of the S&W 38/44 Outdoorsman, a large frame 38 Special with 6.5 in bbl, is the Model of 1950. It is a super revolver.

August 28, 2018, 03:13 PM	#12
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	1950 What came to mind immediately is a S&W Target Masterpiece in 38 Special. Check out gunbroker or similar on line businesses. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

August 28, 2018, 07:26 PM	#13
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	Get smart focus on the late 40's early 50's era. Good luck. .02. David.

August 31, 2018, 06:43 PM	#14
mr bolo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2012 Posts: 432	a Russian SKS with a 1950 date, a nice collectable surplus rifle from the Cold War era.

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