Guns the same age as me

[whipkiller]

So I've recently started thinking it would be neat to have a couple of guns that were born the same year as me, 1962.

I thinking a revolver and a 1911 would be cool, and maybe a rifle.

My knowledge of guns from that era is somewhat lacking.

What would be the easiest way to go about sourcing these, and verifying mfg. date?

And what would be your suggestions for classic choices?

Thanks in advance.

[trigger945]

Pre-lock K frame S&W revolvers will be a good way to start. If you get the S&W catalog 3rd edition, it will tell you the year of mfg of the revolver via SN.

As an example, a Model 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 48, 53, 66, 67 and 68 with a serial number range of K468099 to K515478 should have been made in 1962.

Some N frame revolvers with SN that begins with "S" are also a good bet. S220000 to S227999 were made from 1961 to 1962 while S228000 to S231999 were made from 1962 to 1963.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the hunt. I am trying to do the same thing actually

[philobeddoe]

I went on the hunt for a 1968 1911, my birth year.

Be careful, I ended up with a '52, '71, '73, '74 and a '76 before I finally got my hands on a '68.

[whipkiller]

Pre-lock K frame S&W revolvers will be a good way to start. If you get the S&W catalog 3rd edition, it will tell you the year of mfg of the revolver via SN.

As an example, a Model 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 48, 53, 66, 67 and 68 with a serial number range of K468099 to K515478 should have been made in 1962.

Some N frame revolvers with SN that begins with "S" are also a good bet. S220000 to S227999 were made from 1961 to 1962 while S228000 to S231999 were made from 1962 to 1963.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the hunt. I am trying to do the same thing actually

It helps a great deal, thank you. That's just the kind of guidance I was hoping for.

I went on the hunt for a 1968 1911, my birth year.

Be careful, I ended up with a '52, '71, '73, '74 and a '76 before I finally got my hands on a '68.

HA! I guess if you just buy enough old guns, odds are you'll get the right one sooner or later.

"Gosh Honey, I dunno' what happened, I really thought that one was it... I found another one that I'm pretty sure is the one though."

[sealocan]

1962 was one of those crazy wild years with lot of things going on Cuban Missile Crisis, Marilyn Monroe's suicidemurder, Nixon being Nixon and let us not forget The United States Navy SEALs are activated.

I might try and get a gun that epitomizes that era.
a cut down / short barrel version of a Smith & Wesson victory like the one Lee Harvey Oswald carried.
if you're lucky you can get one of the Lend/Lease revolvers that was originally chambered for 38 Smith and Wesson per the British request and then re-bored cylinder so it could shoot 38 special by the American importers that were practically giving them away at low prices.
the one he bought was called the commander special and because of the bullet diameter difference the rifling on slightly smaller 38 specials pills would not really be visible after they were fired. Or so I've been led to believe.

may be a old Tokarev to symbolize the Bay of Pigs invasion.

or Colt detective like the one Jack Ruby used.

I guess what I'm saying is since you were born and raised in interesting times, I would go front gun of that wild era rather than trying to get the exact year right.

[tileguy]

once you start you get creative, i have a 1911 for my birth year,high school grad. year entered Army, first kid. second kid.

[Fishslayer]

So I've recently started thinking it would be neat to have a couple of guns that were born the same year as me, 1962.

I thinking a revolver and a 1911 would be cool, and maybe a rifle.

My knowledge of guns from that era is somewhat lacking.

What would be the easiest way to go about sourcing these, and verifying mfg. date?

And what would be your suggestions for classic choices?

Thanks in advance.

A '62 Highway Patrolman would be a nice start. Good solid P&R Smith & Wesson, not particularly rare, not over the moon pricewise if you don't mind a little holster wear. It doesn't take much to knock a blued gun out of the mega $$$ collector class.

Get a Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd edition and make a list of models & S/N for your birthyear.

A '62 Colt Gold Cup would be a worthy addition to any collection. Bring money. If the finish is really nice bring LOTS of money. S/N are available online IIRC.

[philobeddoe]

'62 Gold Cup is gonna cost a couple of dollars.

[Killer Bee]

I've mentioned these before but I've collected several from my birth year..
here's most of them..

'71 Belgium BLR .308 / '71 Win 88 .308 / '71 Win 94 30-30 / '71 Marlin 336 30-30

also have the matching '71 Win 100 .308 for that 88 [not pictured]
and just for giggles, take a look at what those pre-81 BLR magazines are going for..

'71 Winchester Model 70 .300WM


'71 10/22SP sporter finger groove NIB


'71 10/22SP / '71 Standard / '71 Super Single Six


these three are top to bottom:
'65 10/22 SP w/ vintage Japanese Tasco #660A 4x32 on Redfield Quick Switch tip off's
'71 10/22 SP w/ vintage Japanese Tasco #660E 4x32 on Herter's rings and vintage military style claw sling
'67 10/22 SPC base only [will be looking for an old vintage Weaver for this one]


'71 S&W 34-1 .22LR w/ original Big 5 Torrance receipt for $87.50


'71 Colt Lawman .357


this one is on the way..

1971 Colt New Frontier 22lr/22wmr


'71 Marlin [first year of the 78X series] 783 on the right / '75 on the left..
note the front sight and forearm difference..

[claylakers]

^Impressive collection