Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

History of the Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic

The Smith & Wesson gun manufacturer has been in existence since the original company was founded in 1852. Their high-quality, durable weapons have appealed to gun enthusiasts and collectors for generations; today, the company is the leading manufacturer of pistols and revolvers in the United States. With years of history, the Smith & Wesson semi-automatic is an exceptional weapon that enjoys widespread popularity among the military, the police force and civilians.

Smith & Wesson
- The Smith & Wesson company was originally called the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company at its founding in 1852. After several transfers of ownership, the company eventually came to be known as the Smith & Wesson Company after the issuance of the Smith & Wesson Model 1 firearm. The United States company was actually owned by a British manufacturer, Tomkins PLC, from 1987 to 2001, after which it was acquired in 2002 by the Saf-T-Hammer company and re-named the Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation.
The FIrst Semi-Automatics
- The first Smith & Wesson semi-automatic was known as the Model 39. Production on the Model 39 began in 1949, but the firearm was not available until 1955. Among the first to use the new handgun were the Illinois State Police force in 1967. Ten years after Model 39 was placed on the market and after other semi-automatics such as Model 59 were manufactured, the Smith & Wesson company introduced Model 60, the first stainless steel semi-automatic.
Later Models
- Over the years, Smith & Wesson produced several generations of semi-automatic pistols. The company used two-digit numbers to identify the first generation, which started in 1955, such as Models 39 and 59. The second generation, which began in 1980, used three digits, such as Models numbers 459 and 910, while the third generation, in 1990, had four digits, including numbers 1006 and 1076. Each digit of the number stands for a feature of the gun. For example, in second-generation guns, the first digit stands for the type of frame; the second digit for the capacity; and the third stands for the size of the frame.
One-of-a-Kind Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols
- One of the most unique semi-automatic pistols made by the company was Model 61, also known as the "Escort." Its diminutive size made it easy to hide, and the cost was very reasonable, which made it a collector's dream. Another favorite is the Model 908; a descendant of the original Model 39, it is well-known for its accuracy, reliability and safety features.

Other Hobbies