Firearms History — S&W Story

The History of
Smith & Wesson

From Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson’s 1852 partnership to America’s most iconic revolver maker — the 170-year history of Smith & Wesson.

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170 Years of American Firearms

Smith & Wesson — America’s Most Iconic Firearms Brand

In 1852, Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson formed a partnership in Norwich, Connecticut, to manufacture a lever-action pistol. What followed was 170 years of firearms innovation that shaped American history — from the first metallic cartridge revolvers that armed both sides in the Civil War to the Model 29 that defined Hollywood’s most famous gunfight scene.

YEAR	MILESTONE
1852	Smith & Wesson partnership formed in Norwich, CT
1856	S&W Model 1 — first revolver to fire rimfire metallic cartridges
1861	Civil War — both Union and Confederate officers carry S&W revolvers
1869	S&W Russian Model — adopted by Russian Imperial Army, 250,000 made
1899	S&W Hand Ejector — first swing-out cylinder revolver — model for all modern DA revolvers
1908	S&W Military & Police (Model 10) — becomes world’s most common police revolver
1935	S&W .357 Magnum introduced — first Magnum cartridge
1955	S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum — world’s most powerful production revolver at launch
1971	Dirty Harry — S&W Model 29 made immortal
1980	S&W Model 686 — the ‘L-Frame’ becomes the definitive .357 Magnum revolver
1994	S&W begins manufacturing semi-auto pistols — Sigma series
1999	Clinton agreement — S&W’s controversial sales agreement sparks industry backlash
2001	S&W adds internal lock to revolvers — ‘Hillary Hole’ controversy begins
2012	S&W M&P Shield launched — becomes best-selling carry pistol for years
2020	S&W Shield EZ — designed for reduced rack force, captures women’s market
2026	S&W remains America’s most recognized revolver brand

The Pre-Lock Controversy

Why Pre-Lock S&W Revolvers Command Premiums

2001 — The Internal LockS&W added an internal lock (activated by a key in the left side of the frame) to all revolvers starting in 2001. The lock was added partly as a liability measure and partly as a condition of S&W’s 2000 agreement with the Clinton administration.

The Collector ResponseS&W revolver enthusiasts immediately and vocally rejected the lock. Nicknames like ‘Hillary Hole’ and ‘the lock’ became terms of derision. The market responded — pre-2001 revolvers command 20–30% premiums over equivalent post-lock examples.

The Lock Failure ReportsSeveral documented cases of the internal lock engaging during firing (particularly with light .38 Special loads in .357 Mag revolvers) added a functional concern to the aesthetic objection. Pre-lock revolvers are preferred by serious shooters for both reasons.

What’s Your S&W Worth?

Pre-lock S&W revolvers command premiums on GunShare.com. gunprice.com/ accounts for pre-lock status in valuations. Verify serial number at GunClear.com. Document your collection at GunVault.co.

S&W Values 2026

Key S&W Models and Their 2026 Values

MODEL	CALIBER	ERA	2026 PRIVATE VALUE
Model 10 (Military & Police)	0.38 Spl	1899–present	$300–$700 (vintage)
Model 19 (pre-lock)	0.357 Mag	Pre-2001	$600–$1,100
Model 29 (pre-lock, nickel)	0.44 Mag	Pre-2001	$1,200–$2,200
Model 686 (pre-lock)	0.357 Mag	Pre-2001	$700–$1,100
Model 686 Plus (current)	0.357 Mag	Current	$700–$950
M&P Shield Plus	9mm	Current	$300–$400
M&P9 M2.0 Full	9mm	Current	$380–$480
Performance Center 929	9mm/.38	Current	$1,000–$1,300

FAQs

S&W History FAQs

What is the most valuable S&W revolver?

Pre-war (pre-1941) S&W revolvers with matching numbers and documentation command the highest prices. The .38/44 Heavy Duty, early Military & Police models, and pre-war .44 Special Hand Ejectors in excellent condition can reach $3,000–$8,000+.

How do I know if my S&W revolver is pre-lock?

Look for a small hole on the left side of the frame above the cylinder release. If the hole is present (with or without a lock key), it’s a post-2001 lock model. No hole = pre-lock. You can also check by the serial number date tables available online.

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