Letter containing Proof P mark question

[gunnison]

Has any one received or seen a Smith & Wesson factory letter
that states a factory applied proof p on the left side of the
frame above the trigger guard?
I am particularly interested whether any model 10 or 10-5
letter documents such a P mark.
Did Smith & Wesson ever put the proof P on the M13 Aircrewman
or Model 15s supplied to the Government for Air Force or
Army Pilots?
Any body have a Smith & Wesson with the proof P on the left side of the
frame?

Gunnison

[Absalom]

I don’t think these were ever applied by the factory, although they were indeed applied AT the factory by Ordnance inspectors at least during pre-Victory and Victory production in WW II.

I know the P is also found on post-war revolver models for the US military, but I consider it highly unlikely that this would ever appear in a history letter. Proofs or inspections stampings are not usually documented in letters since the letters are based on shipping records and invoices.

[Absalom]

I thought I remembered a post by Kevin explaining this. Just found it.

Here is the best info you’ll likely get related to the Aircrewman.

Note that Kevin calls it the “P factory proof mark”. So post-war the job may indeed have been shifted from Ordnance to S&W employees.

Aircrewman Revolvers

[gunnison]

Post War is exactly the era I am trying to research, particularly
the early 1960s through Vietnam. Especially the 4" pencil barrel
round butt 10-5 revolvers carried by the pilots or other Government
agencies.
I haven't been able to find out where and by whom the Proof P
was applied if done outside the Smith & Wesson factory.
I assume it is a firing proof mark after it was proof fired.
Was it done by an Agency or Military Armorer at a Base or Arsenal
for acceptance? Smith and Wesson did mark the backstrap
on some revolvers, with I believe U.S. or U.S. Property.
There are also examples of revolvers carrying
the U.S.and the P that neither will letter being applied at
Smith and Wesson.
This is what keeps collecting interesting.

Gunnison

[gunnison]

I was typing while you were answering.I sure missed
that information in my searches.

Thank you,
Gunnison