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Smith & Wesson:
Trademark for the Firearm Industry
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Pictured: Dirty Harry and .44 Magnum
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Do you remember Clint Eastwood playing Inspector
Callahan in the movie ‘Dirty Harry’? That movie was a masterpiece in
its own right, but mostly due to the interpretation of the great
actor. But how about the handgun that he made famous? It was one of
the most popular handguns produced by Smith & Wesson, a model 29,
chambered in .44 magnum. Dirty Harry said, "the most powerful
handgun in the world" and with those words Smith & Wesson couldn't
produce those guns fast enough to meet the demand.
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Somewhere around 1852, two dreamers met
and decided to turn their dreams into reality. These two were Horace
Smith and Daniel B. Wesson. They both had experience in the field,
Horace having worked previously for the National Armory in Springfield
and Daniel learning all the secrets of the trade from his brother, an
experienced and dedicated gun maker of the 1800s. They formed a strong
partnership and adventured straight ahead, hoping to produce a
lever action repeating gun that could use for the first time in the
world an innovative cartridge, self-contained. Though their ambitions
reached to the skies limit, their first try was not at all successful
and soon they were forced to sell their company to another famous name
in the gun making industry: Oliver Winchester. He didn’t waste any time
and in just a couple of years he introduced the design for the Smith &
Wesson gun under his name. He developed a powerful company, Winchester
Repeating Arms Company and contributed to history on his own.
As for the two idealists, their journey wasn’t over. They rejoined
forces after four years and this time they had managed to turn history
around. After having already patented a special cartridge in 1854,
called the Rimfire, they came up with a new design for what was going to
become the first self-contained cartridge revolver in the world. The
name of Smith & Wesson finally started to gain the proper recognition
that it deserved and the two were sure that more was about to come. They
never stopped trying or believing in what they envisioned, and always
demonstrated what ambitious men are capable of achieving. As for the
handgun history, there probably has never been anyone with such a strong
desire for achievement. They returned in 1870 with a fresh design,
called the Model 3, which was the first large caliber cartridge
revolver. It made Smith & Wesson even more famous, a true inspiration
for all handgun manufacturers. Perhaps the most engaging fact related to
that handgun is that not just America was interested in purchasing guns
for the US Cavalry, but even Russia started to pay interest, purchasing
the firearms for the Russian Imperial Government.
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One might think that was the last significant thing that Smith &
Wesson would have accomplished. Well, that’s not the case. After
Wesson remained the sole owner of the business, Smith having
retired, the company continued to stay in the business and cater to
the needs of their customers. Throughout the time, they introduced
various handguns, always implementing innovative techniques and
technologies. Somewhere along the end of the 19th century, they
produced the first hammerless revolvers, which incredibly, are still
part of the current production today. The 20th century brought only
good things for Smith & Wesson, with them continuously contributing
more and more to the development of the firearm industry. They
started to provide firearms to various police departments, military
companies, and even security companies with the model 10 or 38
Military and Police. Without knowing, they had quickly become top
leaders in the handgun manufacturing industry.
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Soon, Smith & Wesson was a company
regarded as professional and dedicated to providing handguns for both
safety and protection. They came up with the first Magnum revolver in
1935 and continue to show how important performance, precision and
professionalism is for a company producing firearms. In 1955, the model
39 came out on the market and it was recognized to be the first double
action auto-loading pistol ever made by an American Company. After just
one year, the model 29, the one that was used by Clint Eastwood when he
was playing Dirty Harry, was released. The company was enjoying an
incredible popularity, especially due to the fact that they were able to
constantly amaze its customers with new products. They also introduced
the first stainless steel revolver, the model 60, unveiling a new period
filled with achievements for Smith & Wesson.
The innovation that Smith & Wesson company has always proved was mainly
reflected in the handgun design and technology implemented. They are
even up to this day, top producers of professionally-made handguns,
serving police departments and other law enforcement agencies throughout
the world. They did not stop to look back for a second and always tried
to be one step ahead. Today, they are far from being just dreamers; they
have expanded their line of work for shooters, hunters and even just for
those who are passionate about firearms. They also produce handcuffs,
sporting equipment and apparel. Without a doubt, they know what it takes
to be successful.
From the first time when one of the Smith & Wesson arms was displayed at
an exposition in Paris, they knew that they were going to become famous.
It was the kind of thing that you just know. And when you are contacted
by the Grand Duke of Russia himself, how can you not feel incredibly
successful? The worldwide market was interested in the guns produced by
Smith & Wesson and that is also valid today. They are known for
launching professional Magnums and also the first stainless steel
revolvers. They have served the demands for firearms throughout the
Civil War, plus concentrated their entire activity on warfare handgun
production during the Second World War. And as for being famous, they
were and quite proud of that. As it was already mentioned, they kept on
expanding, including defensive equipment for police officers in case of
public riots, night vision gadgets and even for identifications kits.
They knew how to develop and they entirely deserve their reputation for
being the best.
If we were to summarize the entire activity of Smith & Wesson, we would
have to say that it is a successful company, providing high-quality
handguns and other various products. They’ve come a long way since 1852
and they have always kept their promise of meeting the highest standards
of quality. Even today, they look for the most innovative techniques,
hoping to better serve the needs for firearms. They are known to have
produced a series of sophisticated auto-loading pistols, at the end of
the 1980s. As for newer technologies, they produced polymer
semiautomatic pistols, called Sigma. By using cutting-edge applications,
they have greatly contributed to the modern history of handguns and they
have certainly proven themselves as a leader in the firearm industry.
After 150 years of being a leader in the handgun manufacturing industry,
Smith & Wesson has managed to maintain their level of professionalism,
coming up with a new generation of stainless steels revolvers, using a
combination between aluminum and titanium. Everyone was amazed how easy
they could be handled and also impressed with their light weight. As
technology continued to improve, so did Smith & Wesson firearms. In
2000, they came up with the new series of Magnums. They were even light
weight and had all the modern characteristics a handgun should have. And
probably who knows what other surprise is Smith & Wesson preparing right
now?
From all the firearm manufacturers, Smith & Wesson has somehow managed
to continuously stand out and prove themselves as leaders in the
industry. They have built up a solid and respected reputation based on
the quality and enhanced use of their products. They’ve catered to the
police, to the military and even to private security agencies. As they
know how important it is to keep up with technological innovations, they
are constantly updating their equipment and look to use techniques that
are more than forward-looking. It is hard to conceive the history of
American handguns without the name of Smith & Wesson, which is probably
one of the most important companies in the firearms industry.
Useful Link for Smith & Wesson Collectors:
Smith and Wesson
Collectors Association - The Smith & Wesson Collectors
Association is the oldest specialized collectors association in the
United States. It was founded in 1964 by six Smith & Wesson collectors
while attending a gun show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This group of collectors
met each year at different gun shows around the country. The Collectors
Association is dedicated to the collecting of all Smith & Wesson
products from the antique firearms to the most modern arms currently
produced by the company. The association’s main purpose is the
preservation of Smith & Wesson’s history. Members of the association
receive the association-published journal that contains stories on both
antique and modern Smith & Wesson firearms. The Association hosts an
annual meeting, which is held in various parts of the United States to
allow all members an equal chance to attend.
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Semi-Autos: |
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Colt Mustang:
.380 caliber, baby 1911 - DOM 1992, real mop. |
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1908 Colts: 24kt
gold plated, fully engraved with mother of pearl. |
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1911 Colt:
For nine
decades the Colt Government Model 1911 has been without challenge
the most ... |
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Colt Officer's Model:
Slightly smaller than a Government Model, with the barrel length
reduced from 5" to 3.5". |
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Browning .25 Caliber
Automatic Pistol: The 1968 Gun Control Act stopped the
importation of these guns. |
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Colt 1903 Pocket
Hammerless .32: Produced from 1903 to 1945. |
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Colt 1908
Hammerless .25 (Vest Pocket) Model N was made in 1916. |
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Revolvers: |
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Colt .32 Detective Special:
Made in 1950, this gun is chambered in the .32 New Police cartridge
(.32 S&W Long). |
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1965 Colt Python:
Pythons produced from 1955 to 1969 have no letter in
the serial number and are the most desirable to collectors. |
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Peacemaker:
The Colt
Single Action Army - this is a first generation gun. |
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1962 Colt Python:
Pythons produced from 1955 to 1969 have no letter in
the serial number and are the most desirable to collectors. |
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Detective Special: One of the most well known and most
copied guns in the world. |
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Colt Cobra: It was an
earlier version of this gun Jack Ruby used to kill Lee Harvey
Oswald. |
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Ruger .22 Single Six: Commonly referred to as a "Flat
Gate". |
| Holsters: |
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Gun Holsters and
Various Methods of Carry: The holster is a very important
part of "concealed carry". |
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Holster Gallery:
Pictures of holsters that I have found to be of good quality as well
as design, functional, easy to use and a good value. |
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Long Gun
Leather: Gun cases that are good for transporting long guns. |
| Rifles: |
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Colt Sauer Rifle:
Bolt Action, 30.06 caliber, 24" bbl., magazine capacity 3 or 4 rounds. |
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Winchester .30-30:
Lever Action, 30.30 caliber, saddle gun. |
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Savage Model 24J:
This Savage Model 24J O/U Combination Gun is a .22 Magnum Rifle and
.410 Gauge Shotgun combined. |
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Shotguns: |
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Ithaca 4E
Flues Single-Barrel Trap (1914 - 1922) |
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Ithaca 4E
NID (New Improved Design) 1922 - 1944 |
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Browning A-5:
Auto 16
gauge short bbl, stamped U.S. Property. |
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Remington Model 90-T:
A Single-Shot 12 Gauge Trap gun with a 34" bbl, Full Fixed Choke,
low vent rib and adjustable comb stock. |
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Remington Pump: Pump action 12
gauge with stamped patent dates... |
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Abercrombie & Fitch: 12 Gauge, Single Shot, 32" bbl.,
full fixed choke, made by Renato Gamba for Abercrombie & Fitch about
1978. |
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Knives: |
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OldPocketKnives.net:
A website where you can buy old pocket knives. |
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