My dad retired from Ford after 43 years. Small extras or special detailing were overlooked for employee orders. Things like color combinations that weren't normally available or wheel-tire upgrades for friends. Anything too noticeable and the receiving dealer would raise a flag because he was losing possible commission. I'm sure the Smith factory was the same. Asking a custom shop friend to work the action during his break or maybe someone upgrading the stocks as a friendly gesture is one thing. Even putting an obsolete barrel-frame combination together to make it unique (but otherwise no more valuable at the time) wouldn't raise any eyebrows. Like others have said, the term 'lunchbox gun' is a misnomer. Small enhancements that don't cost the company anything is another story. Like me putting Big Mac sauce on my free McChicken when I worked at McD's as a 15-year old almost 30 years ago. Just because I could.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292