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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 04-21-2010, 11:56 AM
Richard Simmons Richard Simmons is offline
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Question Question about a factory letter

Bought a LNIB M38 a few years ago at an auction. Paperwork included with the gun indicate it was purchased by the original owner at S&W, Springfield, MA.

If I letter the gun does any one know if it will come back as "sold to so and so on this date" or will it just say something like, "sold in the S&W store on such and such date"?

The original owner has a federal law enforcement connection (U.S. Treasury) and I thought a factory letter, (if it has his name on it ) would go well with the other document showing provenance to this individual. Not a famous LEO as far as I know just thought it would be neat.

TIA
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Old 04-21-2010, 12:19 PM
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H Richard H Richard is offline
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99% of guns will come back showing the distributor or store that ordered the gun. Back prior to WW2 it was more common for individuals to be able to order directly from the factory, but the majority were sent through distributors. Where the letter is valuable is with old guns where there is an unusual configuration; barrel length, finish, sights, hammer, trigger, etc. A letter can confirm that they were or were not factory correct.
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Old 04-21-2010, 04:47 PM
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The letter will come back with who the gun was sold to. If your guy bought it directly from S&W, back when that could be done, it should letter to him. Those are the kind of guns you want to letter IMHO.

Bob
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Old 04-21-2010, 05:23 PM
Richard Simmons Richard Simmons is offline
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Thanks for the replies. I just didn't want to pop for a letter if it just gave a place and date of sale.
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