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S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


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Old 05-06-2018, 12:42 AM
SammyDee3 SammyDee3 is offline
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Default S&W 38 acid etched pistol

Trying to figure out if this is worth anything or any info on it. Thanks
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Old 05-06-2018, 02:29 AM
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Originally Posted by SammyDee3 View Post
Trying to figure out if this is worth anything or any info on it. Thanks
SammyDee3,

First of all...Welcome to the Forum...Exceptional 1st Post!!

Secondly...If memory serves...The pattern on yours is very close to the one noted in my Thread some years back & "Definitely" is deserving of a Factory Research Letter as "Acid-Etched" Engraving is rarely seen!!

If you desire to do so here's the Link to download the Research Letter Request Form...( Factory Letter Request Form )!!
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Old 05-06-2018, 03:43 AM
SammyDee3 SammyDee3 is offline
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Default Thank you

I appreciate the info and I will keep you posted as I find more info on it. How do I find the thread that you refer to? Once again Thanks for your help.
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Old 05-06-2018, 06:32 AM
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Welcome from North Dakota. And thanks for posting photos of that interesting revolver. Please keep us posted
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Old 05-06-2018, 08:23 AM
Minorcan Minorcan is offline
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Welcome and. Very interesting piece, definitely worth finding out the history on it.
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Old 05-06-2018, 08:38 AM
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How do I find the thread that you refer to?
SammyDee3,

Here's the Link to My Thread from back in 2011...( Factory "Acid-Etched Engraved" 38 Dbl. Action Top-Break )...Hope this is of some help!!
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Old 05-06-2018, 08:47 AM
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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! That is a .38 Double Action, 3rd Model from around 1890. Can't really help with the engraving because, as Masterpiece has already pointed out, we don't see it very often. I don't think an Historian's letter is going to tell you anything about the engraving because it was likely done aftermarket and not by the factory. There are some pretty savvy experts on the forum who may be able to tell you more than Roy can from his records. Roy may be able to recognize the work as he has been doing this for a very long time. I would hold off sending $75 until after I had exhausted the talent here.
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Old 05-06-2018, 08:59 AM
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I don't think an Historian's letter is going to tell you anything about the engraving because it was likely done aftermarket and not by the factory.
Guy,

Just so you're aware...If memory serves...The Revolver noted in My Earlier Thread "Did" Letter as being Factory Engraved...With a little luck so will SammyDee3's!!
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Old 05-06-2018, 09:06 AM
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Great Post, Welcome from Va.
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Old 05-06-2018, 10:04 AM
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Guy,

Just so you're aware...If memory serves...The Revolver noted in My Earlier Thread "Did" Letter as being Factory Engraved...With a little luck so will SammyDee3's!!
I saw that but didn't see the actual gun since the post was so old. However, I still say let the experts on the forum weigh in before sending off a $75 bet. I've seen too many letters come back as being hand engraved by the distributor...especially the older guns. There were lots of companies doing etching in that time frame. If someone can ID the likely source, it could have been done by Tiffany's...jes sayin'. I believe someone like Bill Cross (Doc44), Lee Jarrett (handejector), David Carroll (wordsmith) or Ed Cornett (opoefc) could say whether they recommend a letter would be in order or not.
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Old 05-06-2018, 12:13 PM
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I've seen too many letters come back as being hand engraved by the distributor...especially the older guns. If someone can ID the likely source, it could have been done by Tiffany's...jes sayin'.
Hi Guy,

I somewhat agree...Although given that I didn't save a Copy of the Letter when it was listed...I contacted the Fellow Forum Member that had listed it on GB!!

As he recalls...In the Letter it wasn't specifically noted as being "Factory Engraved"...The language Roy used in the Letter to verify the authenticity was that it had "Factory" Acid-Etched Decoration...In my opinion that's as close as one could come noting it as being Factory Engraved...Just my opinion!!
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Old 05-06-2018, 01:37 PM
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I think we are saying the same thing. I have never seen or heard of a letter on an etched gun not being done at the factory...only on engraved guns. I presume that is because factory etched and aftermarket etched guns are so rare. In fact, your example is the only factory etched S&W I'm aware of unless the OP's gun is determined to be factory work. And I can understand Roy's wording since the gun was in fact NOT engraved...it was etched.
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Old 05-06-2018, 04:19 PM
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And I can understand Roy's wording since the gun was in fact NOT engraved...it was etched.
Guy,

That's exactly what prompted me to contact the Fellow Forum Member that originally listed it on GB to see if he could recall as to the wording Roy used to describe it!!

Especially given as you've said...It actually shouldn't be considered Engraving...Even though I'm sure some not familiar with Etching would still considered it Engraved!!!!
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Old 05-06-2018, 05:18 PM
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Welcome to the forum.

Just to explain for those that don't know, engraving is the art of using a tool to actually carve the design on the item. Etching is when the object is covered with wax and the wax is removed using a needle or similar tool. The item then has acid applied and where the wax has been removed, the metal will be etched in the same pattern. Slightly different procedures but both done by hand and both requiring way more talent than I possess.

A history letter may or may not tell you that the work was done at the factory but will detail the original configuration when shipped, the date of shipment, the shipping destination and typically a little history on the model of gun.

Considering that this requires pulling the original factory invoice and placing all of the information into a history letter, to me at $75 it is still a bargain. Hell, my car mechanic gets $95 an hour and my plumber gets $130.

Besides you may just get lucky and find that it was factory work, thus raising the value of the gun quite a bit.
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Old 05-06-2018, 08:07 PM
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I had a lettered .38 DA that was etched. The letter said it was shipped in 1889 as a nickel revolver to an Edward K. Tyron Co., Philadelphia, PA. I have no background on this company but I suspect that they had something to do with the etching of that revolver. I have my doubts about S&W offering etched revolvers from the factory but as we all know; anything is possible with S&W.
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Old 05-06-2018, 09:13 PM
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Welcome, and I hope you'll stick around.

I like the acid etching. I've seen it on knives, swords, and other items, but never on a gun.
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Old 05-06-2018, 09:45 PM
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That is a neat little S&W that I would be happy to find. It looks like it was gold washed, but I am not sure. "Is it worth anything" ? Well of course it is, how much will depend on whether it letters as factory, and even if it doesn't I personally like it, and would pay more for one like it over a plain one in similar condition.

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Old 05-06-2018, 10:44 PM
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Default NM3 etched

This New Model #3 letters as shipped 6/18/1883 to MW Robinson in a shipment of 20 blue and 6 nickle guns, none of them with ivory grips or etching, so those improvements were ex factory probably arranged by MW Robinson.
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Old 05-07-2018, 07:44 AM
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Quote:
I had a lettered .38 DA that was etched. The letter said it was shipped in 1889 as a nickel revolver to an Edward K. Tyron Co., Philadelphia, PA.
I have Edward K. Tryon listed as the recipient of several of the first run of .22/32 HFT's that didn't go to Bekeart in 1911. The company was established in the 1840's IIRC and was quite a going concern for over 100 years.Mike try Googling the company using the correct spelling TRYON.
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Old 05-07-2018, 11:42 AM
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Thanks James. I will.
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Old 05-09-2018, 02:00 PM
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Smith & Wesson did etch some guns in house. In my collection is a .38 DA, ser. # 230301, which letters as shipped Nov. 20, 1889, to Meacham Arms Co. St. Louis, MO. with 3.25 in barrel, FACTORY ACID ETCHED, nickel finish & black HR Stocks.
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