I just bought a minty 1959-60 M27 S/N S200351 5" barrel with all the lettering in gold. Was this a factory option or not. What does it do to value? There is no box or papers and the previous owner was no help. Thanks

In the 1970s, I remember my local gun shop offering gold lettering as an inexpensive custom option to dress up one's new gun. These guys were definitely NOT gunsmiths, so I presumed it was a simple process. It struck me as a somewhat tasteful and subtle enhancement, but nothing I wanted. This is quite likely what happenned to your gun at some time as I do not believe it was ever a factory option.

S&W didn't do it, some previous owner did. It's nail polish or model airplane paint rubbed into the stamping. Some polish remover will take it out. Or you can gold plate the hammer and trigger to match.

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No life story has happy end.

Still avalible at Brownells.

LACQUER-STIK® - Brownells-

So the value is NOT affected, Yes?

The older or rarer the gun, the more value would be affected. There is no precise answer, but it should not significantly reduce value...all really depends on the pool of potential buyers.

It would hurt value to the point of being a deal breaker on a "Minty" S serial # 27 for me. Unless the gold could be removed.

If I where buying I would have told the seller just that. And asked them to remove the lettering, and if the gun came out undamaged I’d then go ahead with the deal.

While your gun is not rare, “Minty” ones are easily going for over $1000, and nice examples aren’t growing on trees.

Emory

Acetone will remove it with no ill effects to the blue.

Well since I am not planning on selling, and I actualy like it, I will keep it as is for now. Thanks for all the info. Will post pictures when I receive it.

It's meaningless on value as it is temporary and can be removed if unwanted.

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No life story has happy end.

I suppose a purist might think it detracts from the value, but I don't. It's not a plus or a minus. As others have said it was pretty popular "back in the day." I still kinda like it.

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John 3:16 .

bigi & others,

FYI~"Don't rule out the Gold-Filled Lettering as not being a Factory Option"~because I know of at least one Forum Member here that owns a Revolver that "Letters" being shipped as such!! Remember "Never Say Never" with S&W!! A Factory Letter from Roy is the "Only" way to verify it's originality unless it's obvious that it was done after the fact!!

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Masterpiece

This thread deserves more pictures!!!

i had a mod 58 with gold lettering. I started the process of removal. The last piece was the 41 Magnum logo on the right side of the bbl. I had some Kurac orange Osage stocks on it, and the little bit of gold lettering really set it off. I left it there.


Charlie

This M19 had gold lettering when I bought it. Some of it had come off so a little acetone and a tooth pick took care of the rest.

This 27-2 had white lettering when I got it 24 years ago. Never paid much attention to it. Not enough to worry about removing it, anyway.

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No life story has happy end.

I have always removed it with a plastic bristled brush and some Hoppes #9, Shooter's Choice or an equivalent. It always tend to wear off eventually.

Bonanza has made both Gold and Silver filler for 30 or 40 years. It used to be very common and is still available.
Gold Inlay Filling Kit for firearms

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Dick

Still had the Bonanza kit in the basement. I got it in the early 70's, and yes I did my new 27-2,blue,6" with it. Price for the kit was $2.19.

I have a 14-4 K38 8 3/8", pinned, with the gold lettering Sn. 27K7078,(not sure when it shipped) I wondered why I had never seen another one with the gold treatment, now I know why. Thx guys..

If your luck is like mine, say that you really love it, and it will all fall out within a day or two.
DLB

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Be Kind! John 3:16,14:27

That was the thing to do in the 1970s. Accetone will remove it without hurting the bluing just like Long Colt said.

I still have some guns with it and like them.
Collectors of WWll vintage guns highlight the Waffenampt proofs with white on those pistols.
It's ok folks.

Here is my new one: