The cost of a Colt factory letter cost me quite a bit more than what I believe S&W asks. My grandfather was a longtime South Texas lawman. When he passed away in the mid 1960s his old Colt carry piece was passed down to my Uncle. My Uncle gave it to his best friend in order to keep it away from all of us grandchildren, which were at the time probably only safe with single shot .22 rifles under close supervision.
Several years back, the best friend passed away. His widow felt the the old revolver would be better appreciated by our family than theirs and gave the gun back to my uncle. My uncle called me and said... you understand guns and have a gun safe, come get this.
The value is priceless. Confirming that the engraving was factory probably added $5k to its cash value, but it will never be sold.
The attachments are my grandfather wearing the SAA while holding my uncle, circa 1925, the factory letter I received, and an overly reduced picture of the gun in question.
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