I read Hondo44's post from back in December discussing the various letters, numbers and symbols we sometimes see stamped on S&W's that aren't the usual inspectors or assembly numbers. I'm trying to figure out this one:
.38/44 Outdoorsman, in the high S147,000 S/N range. Mr. Jinks said it shipped in June, 1956. It is Bright Blue finish, standard configuration with 6.5" barrel.
Found on the left toe of the grip frame are a capital O and the digits 956 and a capital S at the left side heel. The capital O is repeated on the frame, under the barrel and covered when the crane is closed. In the ejector rod shroud, after the matching serial number is a capital B (with serifs) and a diamond stamp.
Assuming the 956 digits are a date, this gun must have made a return trip to the factory very shortly after it was shipped in 6/56 and sold.
I have not lettered it so do not know if it shipped as Bright Blue or if that might have been the standard finish by that time. It went to the (O)utside Service Department for work.
In the opinion of those here who are more knowledgeable than I (a good percentage of the members I am sure) was it for a refinish, a barrel replacement or for other unknown work ?