Nitwits

[BlackAgnes]

I like the word, "Nitwit", and I use it often--picked it up from a NY Trooper pal and I kinda adopted it.

I think the term is appropriate for those souls, who, usually years ago, felt compelled to scratch, electro-pencil, or otherwise permanently mark their Social Security number or their name or initials on fine old guns.

Lately, I've run across a few--a really clean one-line K-22 from the late forties which had not only the nitwit's initials scratched crudely just below the cylinder release, but then enclosed in a CIRCLE to help draw attention to it.

Also, I just bought a super condition M&P snubby from 1951--I'll have no trouble finding the last owner because he electro-pencilled his SSAN on the forestrap--fortunately, you have to look closely for it, but damn, it's there!

Last, and not least, I bought a scarce old model Colt Trooper in .22 LR off an online auction--wasn't I pleased to see the previous owner's FULL NAME electro pencilled on the butt, in script no less!

NITWITS!!!

[Ilike9mm]

I guess it's "part of the history".

Some say DON'T re-blue an old gun, takes away it's funky essence.

[mjr]

Did those silly people 60 years ago or so maybe think putting their names or SSNs on their firearms might help recover them if they were ever stolen? Why, yes, they probably did.

And they probably had no idea that their target guns and carry guns weren't their personal property to do with as they wished, but "collectibles" they needed to preserve immaculate for future generations.

Nitwits, indeed!

[JcMack]

My favorite carry gun is a Det. Spec. from '60. It is mechanically perfect but looks like it was lost in a gravel pit for a while and has a case # from some PD etched on the side.

[Hillbilly77]

I feel your pain.

All but one of my handguns were bought used.
You know what some nitwits did?

You guessed it... They carried them and fired them, rather than leaving them pristine for me. I mean, who the heck fires an original no-dash Smith & Wesson?

Nitwits!

[feralmerril]

If not now, I was one of those nitwits. I dont think I will do this again but when I did it I did it for me, not for a possible buyer 50 years from now. At least I had the factory do mine.
On the other hand, were I as famous as frank hamer or jesse james I suppose it would make the gun priceless. I have a lot of work to do.
I do know I wish I could have a great grandpa`s gun with his name on it. Maybe someday I will have a great grandson that might be proud to have mine. ------ As long as he dont hear too much about me.
I dont think I need apologise to anyone.

[keith44spl]

Wells,

When folks was scratchin their name and numbers on a piece of hardware fifty years ago.

Bet they never thought...For a minute sum bunch of nit-wits like us would be gettin all
bent outta shape over a few lit'l personal touches.

I can jest imagine what some collectors is gonna be a sayin 'bout some of my current creations.
Probably be cussin me up and down.

But I sez, piss on 'em...It's all about today!


Su Amigo,
Dave

[mkk41]

Every time I look at my 4-screw Mod.14 , I think, "Schultz , you dumkopf!"

[straightshooter1]

Don't be so hard on the OP, guys.

He may be just a little younger than some of us who remember the public service messages from local law enforcement on the 6PM news in the early to mid-70s, suggesting that folks mark their name and SS number on their valuables so, if stolen, there'd be a better chance of getting them back.

Guns, TVs, your Pong game (my favorite back in the day-back and forth, back and forth) and anything else that could be carried away got marked with the old electro-pencil.

I recall, as a young PD sergeant, being sent to give a short speech to some dinner group (Sierra Club, I think) about burglaries. I certainly gave them the "mark your stuff" pitch.

Of course, I never marked mine.

Bob

[harleyvato]

If they bother you that much, why buy them? Probably an unscratched one will be along shortly.

[gregintenn]

If they outlaw electro-pencils, then only outlaws will have electro-pencils.

[M3Stuart]

Ya know, I had a couple of Rossi's/Taurii. Now that I think about it; before I dumped them, I should have nicely etched: "Woe to ye who own this gun because (then some illegible scribbles)".

[keith44spl]

Originally Posted by M3Stuart

Ya know, I had a couple of Rossi's/Taurii. Now that I think about it; before I dumped them, I should have nicely etched: "Woe to ye who own this gun because (then some illegible scribbles)".

Man!

What a Great Idee!!!

I gave my MIL one of them Tauriss...Wish I'd had the for-thought to inscribe it for her.

Right on the side-plate "Ma Beelzebub" That'd been nice right thar...


Su Amigo,
Dave

[mkk41]

Originally Posted by harleyvato

If they bother you that much, why buy them?

When yer looking for a shooter , and find an otherwise mint 4-screw 14-2 , for $200 , ya take it and run.

Still , it's a sin to permanantly deface and vandalize such beautifully polished and blued steel.

[BlackAgnes]

Nah-- I'm definitely old enough to remember when guns were tools and I realize that people were encouraged to mark their valuables...but, dang! These guns already had serial numbers on 'em!

Too, these weren't H&R throwaways--they were S&Ws, indicating that the owner wanted the best gun money could buy. Why deface it? My dad had a pristine 1956 Buick Century Convertible (boy, do I wish we still had that car!), but he didn't scratch his name into the paint with a phillips head!

And...were I to want to put an ID on a gun, I'd probably spend the $5 bucks to have a trophy place neatly engrave it.

Just sayin'...

[COL Jagdog]

Originally Posted by mkk41

Every time I look at my 4-screw Mod.14 , I think, "Schultz , you dumkopf!"

So you are the lucky guy to have acquired the Holy Grail:

the "Schultzstaffenpistolen" -- I have been looking for one for years, but no SSP for me -- I did find a "Ludwig" and a "Hans"
and a "Bernard" but the "Schultz" has eluded me.

[jlrhiner]

Hey! When I buy a new car, first off, I scratch my name on the hood.

[GaryS]

That's a very desirable "John Banner Signature Series" revolver.

Originally Posted by mkk41

Every time I look at my 4-screw Mod.14 , I think, "Schultz , you dumkopf!"

[Sebago Son]

Originally Posted by BlackAgnes

I like the word, "Nitwit", and I use it often--picked it up from a NY Trooper pal and I kinda adopted it.

I think the term is appropriate for those souls, who, usually years ago, felt compelled to scratch, electro-pencil, or otherwise permanently mark their Social Security number or their name or initials on fine old guns.

Tim, I prefer "Moron" or "Jackass", which is only a notch above "Blithering Idiot" which I reserve for those who try to home polish and cold blue fine guns... some people shouldn't be allowed to have fingers.

[snubbyfan]

The nitwits are the one's who use a wire wheel and destroy the patina on antique blades or original colonial period hand forged items.
I collect claw hammers and when I find something like an original Maydole or Chaney hammer thats had the original finish or patina destroyed by another collector taking a wire wheel to it in order to "restore" it, I want to use it on him.

[tops]

If someone wants a gun that is as new there is one somewhere but it will cost a little more than one that is buggered up. I bought a rough looking pistol awhile back for $300. A nice one like it would be maybe $1500. No reason to get mad at the people that treated the gun so bad. I got a $300. gun and that is what it cost me. If I want a $1500. gun I should be willing to pay $1500. It makes sense to me. Larry

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Some time ago.....a long while ago I suppose, I flirted with a Triple Lock .44 that was poorly refinished but even so underpriced, about $350 at the time. One of the previous owners had electro penciled the name, "LOLLIPOP" alongside a crudely sketched image of a nekkid' lady in gold relief. There was an early Model 29 and a Colt Model .380 Auto, both pawn shop electro pencil fully engraved in gold relief in the same estate auction. I bought the latter two (have sold both since then) and regret not buying the "LOLLIPOP" .44, that would have been one hell of a "Jellybean" at the BBQ. Live and learn, I would surely have liked to meet the gal who inspired that feller's artistic interpretation.

Cheers;
Lefty

BTW;

An old friend of mine had a brace of early . 38 1905 4th. M&P Hand Ejectors that were fully engraved in nickel with Ivory stocks. Man, I'm tellin' you they was somethin' purty to behold. One was engraved "Maye be" the other "Maye be Not". His wife was named "MAYE" and if you knew her, you would understand why he had that engraved on his guns. Some youngster will be puzzeled for eternity trying to figure that one out when they own that pair. (I hope they stayed together, LOL) Pretty dammned funny, now that I think of it.

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

On the other hand part of the fun of collecting is when someone finds a firearm-say a revolver-with martial or police markings. Or you can trace a milsurp to its branch of service or unit or even an individual.

[mjr]

Originally Posted by oldflatfoot

One of the previous owners had electro penciled the name, "LOLLIPOP" alongside a crudely sketched image of a nekkid' lady in gold relief.

You shoulda bought that triple-lock. That nekkid lady probably would qualify as genuine folk art and the whole thing might be worth a fortune up in New York or somewhere them sophisticated art collectors hide out.

[tops]

[QUOTE=oldflatfoot;136698828]. One of the previous owners had electro penciled the name, "LOLLIPOP" alongside a crudely sketched image of a nekkid' lady in gold relief.

I wonder if she was as sweet as a "lollipop"? Larry

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Originally Posted by Sebago Son

Tim, I prefer "Moron" or "Jackass", which is only a notch above "Blithering Idiot" which I reserve for those who try to home polish and cold blue fine guns... some people shouldn't be allowed to have fingers.

Drew;

As I remind my staff almost daily.....you can't fix stupid.

Cheers;
Lefty

[REM 3200]

Originally Posted by BlackAgnes

Too, these weren't H&R throwaways--they were S&Ws, indicating that the owner wanted the best gun money could buy.

The key word there is OWNER. If he owns it he can do what ever he wants with it.

[Hillbilly77]

***CONFESSION***

My no-dash 586 was original when I bought it. It had an HP front sight blade on it and the grips were worn.
I have since put new grips on, had a red ramp installed, and the M-stamp done to it.
I sold the grips and gave the HP sight away, so there is no option of returning the gun to original now.


But, at least I haven't gouged "Hillbilly" into the S&W Logo side plate... Yet.

[OK Hog Shooter]

Originally Posted by mjr

You shoulda bought that triple-lock. That nekkid lady probably would qualify as genuine folk art and the whole thing might be worth a fortune up in New York or somewhere them sophisticated art collectors hide out.

...or in one of them there fancy art galleries out West... where them tenderfoots wants some genuuuuine authentical western gear...

Hog

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Originally Posted by mjr

You shoulda bought that triple-lock. That nekkid lady probably would qualify as genuine folk art and the whole thing might be worth a fortune up in New York or somewhere them sophisticated art collectors hide out.

I hear you brother! At the time I had probably 3 of them in pretty near mint condition, but not in that barrel length, which was the attraction (my apologies to the lady who modeled for the scratchin') which was 4 inches. The barrel was chopped from a longer length. I considered it as a carry gun, rework and refinish project but, thought it was best left as is for another collector as a curiosity. Butt ugly, though it had original stocks that looked as new as the day they were made. Today, the stocks would be worth more than the asking price of the gun back then.

Cheers;
Lefty

[jlrhiner]

Originally Posted by REM 3200

The key word there is OWNER. If he owns it he can do what ever he wants with it.

Now that's a silly attitude to take! Why, if it weren't for threads like this, we'd be out hunting bears with .25!

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Originally Posted by jlrhiner

Now that's a silly attitude to take! Why, if it weren't for threads like this, we'd be out hunting bears with .25!

That is one of the preferred caliber's for shooting your great big fat friend, that you invited on a "nature walk" to trim down, in bear country, while you capably escape from the hungry Grizzly. The .22 works good too, and is usually just as light to carry. Beware fat boys, learn to carry a 12 ga. slug gun or a decent rifle, in bear town. It is said that Elmer Keith suggested that you file off the front sight on any handgun you carry for protection in bear country, cause' it hurts less when the bear shoves it up your butt. My late friend Gaylord shot one, maybe two Polar Bears, with a S&W .44 M29 (depended upon what we were drinkin' at the time and how impressed the gals were) when he was a Marshal. When Elmer, Charlie Askins and Chic started braggin' on killin' critters the room got full....of ego. Big as Elmer's hat....and then some.

Cheers;
Lefty

Cheers;
Lefty

[Sebago Son]

Originally Posted by oldflatfoot

Drew;

As I remind my staff almost daily.....you can't fix stupid.

Cheers;
Lefty

I've seen that tried Bro, but never with any success...

[Sprefix]

I'm not into scratched guns unless the scratches are history that prove the functionality of it, well that and some really deep scratches I think they call engraving. I don't mind and actually prefer a little "honest use" on a firearm. Abusers get to be dubbed with my favorite two terms.............Doomaas and/or Putz. I really like Putz............

[sipowicz]

It would be easier to change your name to Smith or Wesson.

[Sebago Son]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

It would be easier to change your name to Smith or Wesson.

Or Marcus something-or-other... But then you'd have to move to Springfield.

[boykinlp]

Originally Posted by straightshooter1

He may be just a little younger than some of us who remember the public service messages from local law enforcement on the 6PM news in the early to mid-70s, suggesting that folks mark their name and SS number on their valuables so, if stolen, there'd be a better chance of getting them back.Bob

I remember this well. If I am not mistaken, most of my family's valuables were marked this way when I was a kid. I have not seen the family guns in quite a few years, so I am not sure if they fell under the electro-pencil fate. If they did, and I inherit them, I will be very, very happy to have them!

[Old cop]

Like Straightshooter1 those of us in LE, at that time, routinely gave that advise out. My PD even had the equipment to lend the public, but we were at least careful to caution against defacing valuables. Guns were to be marked under the grips and so forth. It seemed to make sense then, now not so much.

[jaykellogg]

Originally Posted by feralmerril

If not now, I was one of those nitwits. I dont think I will do this again but when I did it I did it for me, not for a possible buyer 50 years from now. At least I had the factory do mine.
On the other hand, were I as famous as frank hamer or jesse james I suppose it would make the gun priceless. I have a lot of work to do.
I do know I wish I could have a great grandpa`s gun with his name on it. Maybe someday I will have a great grandson that might be proud to have mine. ------ As long as he dont hear too much about me.
I dont think I need apologise to anyone.

I think if it is a factory marking it does not detract from the price. I have a Colt Officer's Model Target marked "PGC No. 49" which I was led to believe was one of a lot of guns originally owned by the Providence Gun Club. I have never ordered a factory letter.

I do have a very nice pre war Savage 99 that has the original owners initials scratched on it. I bought the gun from the man's son, I guess he didn't have much sentimental value to his dad's gun.

[cass]

Nitwits is too kind. Some nitwit stamped what appears to be the entire owners manual on the top of the barrel of my Ruger Blackhawk. It's ugly, degrading, and insulting. At least the nitwits moved their BS to the bottom.

[MaximumLawman]

Every time I look at my 4-screw Mod.14 , I think, "Schultz , you dumkopf!"

Haa haa....He knew NOTHING! I have an occupied Belgium-made Hi Power with the holster. At least Mr. Mueller wrote his name on the inside of the holster flap and not on the gun!