I just picked up this Tip Up yesterday. SN is 890XX.
There are some interesting markings on it. They appear in three places, under the left grip, at the base of the barrel, and on the rear of the cylinder. The markings appear to me to be '& & 6'. In addition there is a star stamped on the rear of the barrel.
I am curious what these markings mean. Does the star mean it was sent back to the factory and refinished at some point?
Nice nickel tip-up. I have several of these and fortunately also have lots of Navy Arms 32 rf to shoot.
Early S&Ws used random markings on all major parts of guns as assembly numbers. I just think the worker who put this one together decided that a couple of ampersands would be interesting to use. Assembly numbers had nothing to do with the serial number in early S&W models, I have 1 1/2s with numbers, dot punches, letters, etc. all used as assembly aids.
I have one short barreled 32 rf that has a star behind the serial number, indicating it went back to the factory for repairs. Inside the grip frame was a month and year stamp indicating the date it was returned. The marking on your barrel looks more like an asterisk, but have no idea why it was stamped?
These are fitters, assemblers & inspectors marks. Workers were paid by piece rate, so Floor Foremen kept track of production via these marks to pay their workers, plus being sure that fitted parts were reassembled to the right gun after individual parts had been plated, blued, etc. Ed.