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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 10-25-2013, 04:27 PM
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Star stamp on old revolver mean anything? Star stamp on old revolver mean anything? Star stamp on old revolver mean anything? Star stamp on old revolver mean anything? Star stamp on old revolver mean anything?  
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Default Star stamp on old revolver mean anything?

Hello! I'm hoping someone could help me with my curiosity about a stamp. Recently the grips were removed from this old revolver and there was an odd star stamp on the butt by the number. From doing a search it sounds like it indicates the gun had been sent back for repair. The gun has been lettered but there's no mention of a repair being done. Not sure if that part was just missed or if the star may indicate something else. I'm mainly curious about this so any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

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Old 10-25-2013, 04:32 PM
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Yes. The star does indicate some factory work after the gun originally shipped from the factory. The shipping records will not include information on this, so that's why the factory authentication letter does not mention it.
If you look on the left side of the frame under the stocks, there should be a date code stamped. It will look something like this: 9.38 (made up numbers - in this example, it would mean September, 1938).
What model is this? That thing to the right of the number on your revolver's butt is strange looking. I don't know what it is.
Jack
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Old 10-25-2013, 04:33 PM
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your assumptions are correct that it has been back to the factory for repair/parts replacement, etc. A letter will only detail the original shipping info, not subsequent repairs.


Charlie
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Old 10-25-2013, 04:54 PM
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That's a Hogue grip attachment bracket hooked on the grip locating pin.

L'LS, any parts replaced at the factory will have a diamond stamp.

Once you get a factory letter; Firearm History Letter Request - Smith & Wesson (at S&W website)
Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

you can apply for records here:The Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation (SWHF) has digitized and indexed records for the years, 1932-1941 so far,
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
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Old 10-25-2013, 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by JP@AK View Post
That thing to the right of the number on your revolver's butt is strange looking. I don't know what it is.
Jack
It is the stirrup for a Hogue Monogrip. You must be one of those wood stock fanatics!
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Old 10-25-2013, 05:01 PM
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Lee informed me back when I bought my TL that the stars were and indication of some sort of factory work after the original sale, but not necessarily new parts. It could have been applied for a re-finish as well, as was the case with my TL.

My TL has the star in several places- the grip frame on the left side at the bottom towards the front next to the date of re-finish stamp (362), and inside the ejector rod housing as well as on the cylinder under the extractor star.
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Old 10-25-2013, 05:04 PM
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Thanks guys! I wasn't sure about that with the letter.

Jack, Thanks for that extra info. I looked again and saw that stamp you mentioned (wouldn't have seen it without you telling me where to look and even then had to look twice!). Looks like it's "1 50". Now I'm curious what work was done to it! (yes, curiosity gets me a lot!)

As to your question: The funny thing over the number is the adaptor to get the rubber hogue grips on it. It had some funky plastic target ones prior but they interefered with case extraction so they had to go! It's a 38/44 OD from 1935.

Keep thinking I need to find some good reference pictures of the checkered walnut grips that would have come on it and try to make some replicas.
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Old 10-25-2013, 05:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44 View Post
That's a Hogue grip attachment bracket hooked on the grip locating pin.

L'LS, any parts replaced at the factory will have a diamond stamp.

Once you get a factory letter; Firearm History Letter Request - Smith & Wesson (at S&W website)
Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

you can apply for records here:The Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation (SWHF) has digitized and indexed records for the years, 1932-1941 so far,
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
Thanks Hondo! Have the letter. Are the records for work after original purchase? The only things not original on it are the grips and the hammer. The front sight has had some work but doesn't look like a professional did it.

Thanks for all the additional info! So much to learn with these oldies!
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Old 10-25-2013, 05:37 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
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L'LS,

Yes, for work done when returned to the factory.

In '35 the grips were likely service grips but the 1st Magnas were just introduced and may have been optioned on your gun. Either would have the flat silver medallions and sharp cornered borders on the checkering like this:
[IMG]http:
//i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab275/grippers/RM2966peepsight003_zps182690cc.jpg[/IMG]
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Old 10-25-2013, 05:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil' LadySmith View Post
Jack, Thanks for that extra info. I looked again and saw that stamp you mentioned (wouldn't have seen it without you telling me where to look and even then had to look twice!). Looks like it's "1 50".
Glad to help. Interesting. Your gun was sent to the factory for some work the very month that I was born!

Quote:
As to your question: The funny thing over the number is the adapter to get the rubber Hogue grips on it.
Yes. Thanks. That has now been explained to this old wood stock junkie! (Not, by the way, Woodstock! I was getting ready to leave for 'Nam when that festival took place . . .)

Quote:
It's a 38/44 OD from 1935.
Very nice. I've never owned one. Often thought I should, though.

Jack
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Old 10-25-2013, 05:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil' LadySmith View Post
Thanks guys! I wasn't sure about that with the letter.

Jack, Thanks for that extra info. I looked again and saw that stamp you mentioned (wouldn't have seen it without you telling me where to look and even then had to look twice!). Looks like it's "1 50". Now I'm curious what work was done to it! (yes, curiosity gets me a lot!)

As to your question: The funny thing over the number is the adaptor to get the rubber hogue grips on it. It had some funky plastic target ones prior but they interefered with case extraction so they had to go! It's a 38/44 OD from 1935.

Keep thinking I need to find some good reference pictures of the checkered walnut grips that would have come on it and try to make some replicas.
A pre war 38/44 OD with a Houge Monogrip....That should be illegal
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Old 10-25-2013, 06:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44 View Post
L'LS,

Yes, for work done when returned to the factory.

In '35 the grips were likely service grips but the 1st Magnas were just introduced and may have been optioned on your gun. Either would have the flat silver medallions and sharp cornered borders on the checkering like this:
[IMG]http:
//i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab275/grippers/RM2966peepsight003_zps182690cc.jpg[/IMG]
Thanks Jim!

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Originally Posted by 05CarbonDRZ View Post
A pre war 38/44 OD with a Houge Monogrip....That should be illegal
I'd much rather have originals for it! The rubber works but just isn't right on this oldie. In the mean time, I'll have to work on my skills until I can do replicas at least.
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Old 10-25-2013, 06:18 PM
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My understanding is the star was stamped on a gun after a trip back to the factory, so it could not be sold as new after it returned to the owner.

The stocks you need would be checkered walnut, Service (small size), with small silver medallions.
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Old 10-25-2013, 06:20 PM
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1934 vintage 38/44 OD with service grips numbered to the gun.
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Old 10-25-2013, 06:20 PM
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See photo below.

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Old 10-25-2013, 06:22 PM
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Look at that. Repairs and polishing/bluing for $8.25.
My, how things have changed!
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Old 10-25-2013, 06:43 PM
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Glad to help. Interesting. Your gun was sent to the factory for some work the very month that I was born!....

Very nice. I've never owned one. Often thought I should, though.

Jack
Yes, I think you should. I learned to shoot as a kid on this one and it's been my favorite to shoot ever since!
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Old 10-25-2013, 06:45 PM
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1934 vintage 38/44 OD with service grips numbered to the gun.
Thanks Iggy! I'll have to file that away for the future project!
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Old 10-25-2013, 07:20 PM
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See photo below.

Bill


Never ever saw a copy of this notice before. Thanks for posting it.
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Old 10-25-2013, 07:23 PM
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Never ever saw a copy of this notice before. Thanks for posting it.
A few years ago, I sent a couple guns to the factory for some repairs. I received a modern day version of that notice, and the wording was still very close.
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Old 10-25-2013, 07:24 PM
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If you're going to shoot real 38/44 ammo in that OD it will be much more comfortable with pre-War Magna stocks like these on a 1937 HD.



Even without the grip adapter the Magnas spread out the area hitting the web of your hand. I recommend them for shooting serious ammo.

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