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11-24-2013, 09:38 PM
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S&W Historical Letters
Is it worth the price to obtain one/can it be recovered,when selling an item?
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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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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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11-25-2013, 10:01 AM
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Letter
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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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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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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Gary
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11-25-2013, 12:01 PM
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New Old Stock.
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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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Miss My Buddy crsides!!
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11-25-2013, 04:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glowe
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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New Old Stock
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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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11-25-2013, 06:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boykinlp
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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You can usually count on a 2-3 month average wait, and with several upcoming holidays perhaps longer.
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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
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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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