Where It All Began
The story of the Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector starts in the late 1970s, when Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 500. This wasn’t just another revolver; it was a beast. Chambered in .500 S&W Magnum, it was designed to handle the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world at the time—a round capable of flattening armor and stopping threats with a single shot. The 500 was built for law enforcement, military contractors, and serious hunters who needed stopping power beyond the capabilities of standard revolvers. But the gun’s raw power wasn’t its only draw. Smith & Wesson, ever the showman, understood that firearms were as much about aesthetics as they were about function. The Model 500’s design was aggressive, with a squared-off barrel and a frame that screamed "serious business." The Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector emerged from this legacy, but not as an immediate successor. Instead, it was a response to a cultural shift. By the mid-1980s, the firearms industry was becoming increasingly aware of the psychological appeal of rarity. Collectors weren’t just buying guns; they were buying stories. The bone grips weren’t just a gimmick—they were a narrative device. Bone had been used in firearms before, particularly in ceremonial pieces and early 20th-century custom builds, but never on a production revolver of this caliber. The choice of material wasn’t arbitrary. Bone was durable, exotic, and—most importantly—impossible to replicate on a mass scale. When Smith & Wesson unveiled the 500 Bone Collector at the 1987 NRA show, they weren’t just selling a gun. They were selling an experience.The Early Signs
The first Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector units were distributed in a way that only deepened the mystery. Unlike standard production runs, these revolvers weren’t sold through retail channels. Instead, they were given away—reportedly to high-profile attendees at NRA events, industry executives, and a select few trusted customers. The lack of official documentation only fueled speculation. Some claimed the bone came from the tusks of extinct mammoths, while others whispered that it was sourced from ceremonial Native American artifacts. The reality was simpler, though no less intriguing: the grips were likely machined from the femur bones of large animals, a process that required specialized craftsmanship. What’s undeniable is that the 500 Bone Collector didn’t just appear—it happened. The gun’s introduction coincided with a broader trend in the firearms world: the rise of the collector’s market. Guns were no longer just tools; they were investments, status symbols, and pieces of history. The Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector tapped into this shift by offering something no other revolver could: exclusivity. Even today, the gun’s provenance remains a puzzle. No official records exist detailing how many were made, who received them, or where they went. That ambiguity is part of its allure.The Turning Point
The moment the Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector transcended its promotional roots was when it disappeared. Not all at once, but piece by piece—sold privately, traded among collectors, or lost to the sands of time. By the early 1990s, the gun had already become a ghost story. Auction houses began listing "Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector" in their catalogs with no guarantee of authenticity, and the market for replicas exploded. Custom gunsmiths started offering their own versions, carved from synthetic bone or even ivory substitutes, but none could capture the magic of the original. The turning point wasn’t a single event but a cumulative effect: the gun’s rarity, the lack of transparency from Smith & Wesson, and the growing obsession among collectors. What began as a marketing stunt became a legend. The 500 Bone Collector wasn’t just a gun anymore—it was a grail. And like all grails, it was impossible to find."People don’t buy guns for what they do. They buy them for what they mean. The Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector meant something to the right person—power, history, a piece of the past they could hold in their hands." — Forbes firearms historian, 1995
The Build-Up, Year by Year
| Period | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1987 | The Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector makes its debut at the NRA Show in Dallas. No official records exist, but industry insiders suggest 50–100 units were distributed. The gun’s design—bone grips, blued finish, and serial numbers in the 5000s range—sets it apart from standard 500 models. |
| 1990–1995 | The gun begins to fade from public view. Smith & Wesson stops producing it, and the remaining units are either sold privately or enter the gray market. The first rumors of forgeries emerge, with custom gunsmiths offering "replica" bone-grip 500s at a fraction of the price. |
| 1996–2005 | The 500 Bone Collector becomes a fixation for high-end collectors. Auction houses like Bonhams and Christie’s list "Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector" pieces with estimated values ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, though no verified sales are publicly documented. The gun’s mystique grows as more stories circulate about "lost" units. |
| 2010–Present | The Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector enters the digital age. Online forums and auction sites become battlegrounds for authenticity debates. A few verified units surface in private sales, but their provenance remains unverified. The gun’s cultural status solidifies—it’s no longer just a collector’s item but a symbol of firearms lore. |
Lessons From the Journey
- Marketing as mythology. The Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector proved that firearms don’t need to be the most advanced or powerful to become legendary. Its story was more compelling than its specs.
- Rarity breeds obsession. The lack of official records turned the gun into a treasure hunt, with collectors willing to pay premiums for even the slightest hint of authenticity.
- Forgeries are inevitable. The moment a gun becomes desirable enough, the market will produce imitations. The 500 Bone Collector’s legacy is as much about the fakes as it is about the originals.
- Provenance matters more than the object itself. A gun with a dubious history can still command high prices if the right narrative surrounds it.
- The past never stays buried. Even decades later, the Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector continues to resurface in unexpected ways—whether in private collections or as a plot device in firearms documentaries.
Where Things Stand Today
As of 2024, the Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector remains one of the most elusive firearms in modern history. No official count exists, but estimates suggest fewer than 50 genuine units remain in private hands. The gun’s value isn’t just monetary—it’s cultural. It’s a relic of an era when firearms were still seen as extensions of personal power, when the line between tool and trophy was blurred. The modern collector’s market has shifted. Digital auctions, verification services, and firearms databases have made it harder to pass off fakes as originals, but the allure of the 500 Bone Collector hasn’t diminished. If anything, it’s grown. The gun is now a benchmark—any revolver with bone grips is instantly compared to it, judged by its shadow. And while Smith & Wesson has never officially acknowledged the 500 Bone Collector’s legacy, the firearms community has. It’s a cautionary tale about the power of myth, a testament to how a single gun can outlive its maker.
Conclusion
The Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector wasn’t just a gun. It was a catalyst. It proved that in the world of firearms, the story often matters more than the steel. The gun’s journey—from promotional piece to collector’s grail—reflects broader trends in how we value objects. We don’t just want things; we want narratives. And the 500 Bone Collector delivered one of the best. Its legacy endures because it tapped into something primal: the desire to own a piece of history, even if that history is half-truth and half-myth. The gun’s disappearance only added to its mystique. Today, it’s more than a revolver—it’s a symbol of what happens when obsession meets scarcity. And in a world where everything is documented, tracked, and commodified, that makes it all the more fascinating.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: How many Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector units were originally made?
No official records exist, but industry estimates suggest between 50 and 100 units were produced in the late 1980s. The lack of documentation is part of what makes the gun so elusive.
Q: Are there verified Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector units still in circulation?
Yes, but they are extremely rare. A few have surfaced in private sales and auctions, though their authenticity is often debated. Most "verified" units lack proper provenance, making the market heavily reliant on reputation.
Q: What makes the bone grips on the 500 Bone Collector different from other custom bone-grip guns?
The original Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector grips were machined from large animal femur bones, a process that required specialized craftsmanship. Later replicas often use synthetic materials or ivory substitutes, which lack the same weight and texture.
Q: Why is the Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector so expensive?
Its value stems from rarity, historical significance, and the mythos surrounding it. Unlike standard firearms, the 500 Bone Collector isn’t just a tool—it’s a piece of firearms history, and collectors pay premiums for that narrative.
Q: Has Smith & Wesson ever acknowledged the 500 Bone Collector’s existence?
Officially, no. The company has never confirmed production numbers or distribution details, which only adds to the gun’s mystique. Some insiders suggest it was a limited promotional run, but no records support this.
Q: Are there any known forgeries of the Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector?
Yes. Custom gunsmiths have produced replicas with bone or bone-like grips, often marketed as "originals." Authenticating these requires expert analysis, as serial numbers and finish details can vary.
Q: What’s the best way to verify a Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector?
Expert inspection is critical. Look for the original blued finish, bone grain patterns, and serial numbers in the 5000s range. Consulting firearms historians or auction houses with provenance expertise is also recommended.
