Help on a nice M43 w/initials on it.

[retnavyshooter]

I bought a very nice M43 from an estate earlier this year. Only problem is that a prior owner had his initial engraved on the side plate, a nice job but they're not mine. My question, is it worth while to attempt to fix this, and how is the best way to do it. I paid way to much for it I think ($700) and am reluctant to invest a lot more. Bought it because I had never seen one.

Thanks,
Mick

[44specialfan]

If it were mine - and depending on the intended use - I'd simply darken the engraving to make it less prominent and enjoy shooting what is now your revolver. Of course, and as always, YMMV. Regards from Colorado

[Wiregrassguy]

Did the original owner have any prominence? IF so, gather up any info on him/her and keep it with the gun. It might add to the value if you decide to sell it. Since it is an airweight, the finish is anodized, not blued IIRC. If you could find someone who could weld repair the engraving and polish it out, then you'd have to find someone who can anodize. I doubt S&W would do it since it has not been produced since 1974. Also, you take a chance the sideplate does not warp. If the initials really bother you, you could glue a brass or plated overlay with your initials on it over the engraving. YMMV

[gmborkovic]

You have an heirloom. Somewhere in your past you have a relative with those initials. WJM III has got to be an old great uncle! Make the history.

[mikerjf]

"That there is William McCarty's gun, sonny... you might know him by another name. And you can see how many men it's killed!"

[Old_Cop]

If that middle initial were F I'd buy that for my Grandson.

[Hondo44]

I think Guy's solution for covering the initials with a small plate engraved with yours is the best.

The other way is to shoot it and enjoy it while searching for another to replace it, they're around: in this forum's classified section, Gunbroker, etc. Then resell yours.

[Art Doc]

I wouldn't buy a gun that I had to ask advice about something I didn't like. I realized many years ago that names or numbers left by a previous owner make the piece unacceptable to me. No way to remove that, but you bought it so I assume you figured you could live with it. Now it seems maybe you can't.

Tell people it stands for Wee Jammin' Mamma.

[M29since14]

The cover plate seems like a great idea to me. If done nicely, I bet you’ll like it. Don’t weld and reanodize. It’s not practical. Even if the welding did not warp or otherwise damage it, you would have to remove all of the anodizing to bare metal to make a nice job of it. It’s not worth it. A brass plate with your initials sounds like a winner to me.

Being a bit lazy, myself, I’m sure I’d just use it as is. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Drm50]

What about laser engraving over present engraving? Go down court house and go to probate and see if it would be more cost effective to change your name.

[retnavyshooter]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Guess I'll just keep it the way it is and shoot it.

[THE PILGRIM]

If all the riting is on the side plate, I would look for another side plate.
Polishing off and a Re-blue might work.
By the way, that’s a nice Gun!
And I am the Guy who bought the L Frame 686 with the K Frame side plate.
Gaps everywhere!

[diyj98]

A number of years ago, I turned down a Colt Python that the owner had had biblical phrases and his initials engraved into. He didn't seem to understand why I thought it lowered the value, when he was actually asking a premium to cover the expense of the engraving!

I agree with idea of just darkening the initials if possible. If the engraving was shallow, you could try the polish and reblue route.

[Retired W4]

I like the idea of researching WJM III. If that person has any significance beyond the 43 it might be worth the effort. A letter might be a good place to start. $.02 worth.

[two-bit cowboy]

Originally Posted by retnavyshooter

Guess I'll just keep it the way it is and shoot it.

Perfect!

After all, you bought it. It must not have bothered you that much when you raised your hand at the auction.

[hsguy]

You could change your name to match the initials.

[S-W4EVER]

Originally Posted by hsguy

You could change your name to match the initials.

+1. My first thought too!

[mtgianni]

If you ever decide to sell it I have the middle and last in the right place. I could make do with something around the first and treys.

[gmborkovic]

Worthington Jameson Montague III, married your great aunt and lived in the Hamptons. I did my research for the OP.

[Tom K]

Originally Posted by retnavyshooter

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Guess I'll just keep it the way it is and shoot it.

Since the lettering is nicely engraved, and not something ugly scratched with an awl or vibro engraved, I agree with keeping it as is. Certainly there have been lots of rather beat up old guns shown on this forum where the new owner is thinking of refinishing, and most advise to leave it alone, that's all part of the gun's history. Well, so is this monogram!

[JSR III]

Well I guess that I have a different opinion than most. I have bought several guns with initials or even social security numbers etched somewhere. To me it has become part of the guns history. Remember we never own our guns, we are merely the caretakers for a while and eventually they will belong to someone else or be melted down as evil.

I googled the initials and there are several folks with that title one of which formed a corporation by that name in Colorado.

Again, Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson etched their name on the gun and they don't own it anymore either. All kidding aside, to me it is part of the guns history and doesn't affect the way it shoots one bit. As I said, doing anything changes the guns history and as a purist collector I vote leave it alone.

If it bothers you that much, sell it to me.

PS: You mention that you bought it from an estate, is it possible that it was inscribed by the deceased? If so, that would give you a place to start your research.

[SweetMK]

If it were mine,, I would change my name to match the initials,,

[Buford57]

Reminds me of the old joke about the guy who had his name changed to Genuine Leather so he could claim wallets from Lost and Found.

[Early Bird Dave]

I caught a lot of heat here too. Asked a question about a model 19-0 I picked up which was in very good condition except for the initials. Some people hate them, some people can live with them. I'm so happy I picked up my model 19 because I've never seen one before or since of the - 0. I know they're out there but not in my area. I go with shoot and enjoy. Unless the person is very famous, no value. Actually value is lost because most people won't like someone else's initial. Unless you have a good reason, not worth spending money on a letter. Just more money into a gun that you may not get your money back out if you want to sell. Just my two cents.
Didn't have any solo pictures, but pictured with a model 19-5 snub and also with my pre-model 18 combat. Notice the Engraving.