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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 11-24-2013, 09:38 PM
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Is it worth the price to obtain one/can it be recovered,when selling an item?
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Old 11-25-2013, 09:43 AM
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It depends on the gun being lettered and sometimes, a letter will disclose something totally unexpected. A rare gun certainly needs a letter to verify its configuration. If the gun was shipped to a famous person, a letter is also a must.

On very few occasions, a letter indicates a plain gun was shipped to someone famous (like Elmer Keith) and the value of the piece is dramatically affected.

Most of the time, a regular production gun was just shipped to a distributor and there is no impact on the value of the gun. In this case, the $50 invested most likely cannot be recovered.

Bill
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Old 11-25-2013, 09:48 AM
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In general, for a more common gun, it's not worth it. If it is rare or out of the ordinary, it's more likely to be worthwhile. Posting some good pictures and a full description here will probably net more information than a factory letter- and for free.
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Old 11-25-2013, 10:01 AM
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I recently "lettered" a registered magnum that I have owned for 30 years.....I am the third owner and bought it from a friend of mine. I pretty well knew the story behind the gun, but I lettered it thru Smith & Wesson and thru the SWHF as well.
The letter states when it was shipped, to whom, and in what configuration the gun shipped from the factory. My interest was in how the gun shipped from the factory in 1936, and the letter answered those questions for me.
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Old 11-25-2013, 10:59 AM
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Thanks to all for replies,most appreciated! Most of my small collection are 30-50 y.o. J Frames & a few K frames. Several are N.O.S. Also an I frame from turn of Century.
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Old 11-25-2013, 11:23 AM
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I am always tempted to get a letter on non-standard Smiths. Odd barrel lengths, stocks, etc., but do not get excited about standard guns going to standard distributors. I do not think those letters add any value. Now if you are a gambler, there is a chance that one of your common Smiths might letter to someone or somewhere exciting that could add significant value.

BTW, sorry for the question but what is N.O.S.? New old stock, National Occupational Standards, New Orleans Square, Network operating system, Nitrous oxide, National Ocean Service, National Orthodox School, National Office of Statistics of Algeria, or New Orleans Saints?
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Old 11-25-2013, 12:01 PM
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New Old Stock.
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Old 11-25-2013, 02:48 PM
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I know Mr. Jinks was behind for a while on the letters. Does anyone know if he has caught up, and what the turn around time is now?
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Old 11-25-2013, 04:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glowe View Post
I am always tempted to get a letter on non-standard Smiths. Odd barrel lengths, stocks, etc., but do not get excited about standard guns going to standard distributors. I do not think those letters add any value. Now if you are a gambler, there is a chance that one of your common Smiths might letter to someone or somewhere exciting that could add significant value.

BTW, sorry for the question but what is N.O.S.? New old stock, National Occupational Standards, New Orleans Square, Network operating system, Nitrous oxide, National Ocean Service, National Orthodox School, National Office of Statistics of Algeria, or New Orleans Saints?
New Old Stock
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Old 11-25-2013, 04:51 PM
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When I am buying a gun that has a factory letter I automatically add $50 to my bid/offer.
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Old 11-25-2013, 06:09 PM
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I know Mr. Jinks was behind for a while on the letters. Does anyone know if he has caught up, and what the turn around time is now?
You can usually count on a 2-3 month average wait, and with several upcoming holidays perhaps longer.
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Old 11-25-2013, 07:03 PM
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Mr. Jinks recently returned from a trip to Europe. I would estimate the wait to be sixteen weeks for a factory letter.

Bill
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