The SWHF has funded the digitizing and indexing of S&W's records for the years, 1931-1941. We can search these records via computer in order to locate documents about S&W firearms shipped during this time period.

Our success rate is quite high on Registered Magnums as S&W kept detailed records about these guns (using the Registration Number, not the serial number). However, our success at finding documents relating to other models is around thirty percent. This is mainly due to the fact that S&W rarely listed the serial number of the guns they shipped on the invoice.

If we search our database and do not find anything, there is no charge for the search.

We are currently working with AMS Imaging to complete 1930.

Bill

Bill

Quick question...when you do a records search, outside of the RMs, are you searching just the serial number or do you search for other pertinent information contained in the letters as well?

I submitted requests for a few M&Ps a while back that came back no hits but the shipping was to individuals (sheriffs and police chiefs and such). So if the serial number search comes back with no hits, do you run a search for the individual's name, for instance?

Thanks
Mike

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Pace

Mike...I use all the information available. Serial number, where shipped, when shipped, etc. The problem with many searches not involving RMs, is the serial number is not listed (RMs are listed by registration number, not serial number). If the name doesn't come up, I will search using the month and year shipped and the city and state. I will then look at each document to see if anything matches the gun described in the request. Sometimes I get lucky, sometimes not.

Bill

Bill,
I know there are likely a few of us anxiously awaiting the 1930 records. I am particularly interested as I have a 44 2nd model that shipped to Kansas City. Roy tells me in the letter that it was specially processed throughout. His quote, "This certainly was an interesting revolver, if we know more of it's history."
I won't be able to make the Kansas City show this year but if I could get more data on this gun than I would love to have it displayed for me at the show. I'd even volunteer to let Sheryl display it in a SWHF display, if you guys are planning on doing one of those again and if the gun is discovered to have a LE or special KC history.
I know I have asked before but do you think that might be a possibility? Thank you, Daniel.

I have just realized that I have a pretty muddy understanding of what the S&W records actually contain. I think I understand that the shipping records are available on fiche or microfilm, and that these are a primary source of the information that goes into a letter. I also understand that there are some 500 boxes of business correspondence that are in the process of being digitized.

What I don't know is whether the business records are complete after a particular year or whether there might have been records purges or even fires that make information skimpy or unavailable for some date ranges. Would this correspondence contain written orders from individuals for guns to be shipped or picked up at the factory? One of the things that has struck me in recent years is the number of guns delivered to individuals with no recorded address. I wonder if there might be original orders or requests for these guns buried in a box of records. I certainly know that orders from distributors and sellers are included for at least some eras, because I have a received copies in connection with records searches in the 1930s for specific revolvers.

I may have known this once, but what is the chronological range of the records that the SWHF seeks to digitize? 1900-1970 or so? Please excuse me if that is stated someplace that I looked right past.

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David Wilson

The current scope of the digitizing and indexing project is 1920-1967. We have completed 1931-1941 and are just about done with 1930. We will soon begin 1928-1929. The records from 1946-1967 are invoices only as the correspondence was destroyed. The records from 1968 and later are at the S&W factory.

The records digitized and indexed so far include orders, invoices, correspondence, repair orders, etc. The shipping records have all been digitized and a program is being written to allow them to be searched by computer. The funding for this was provided by the S&WCA. The shipping records are used exclusively by Mr. Jinks in responding to letter requests. He has the features of the gun verified in the records either digitized or to be digitized that are housed at the Museum of Springfield History. The museum staff pull the shipping invoice to verify the features of the gun. The shipping records tell them where to look for the invoice.

Bill

Thank you, Bill. That overview is very helpful.

Whether the Foundation intends to digitize them or not, are there records for the 1900-1920 years? One of my puzzles at the moment involves identifying a man who took delivery of a .32 HE Target Revolver in 1905. We know his name from the invoice, but not his address. I just wondered whether his original order might be in the files and bear the location information that would help me firmly identify him.

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David Wilson

David....I don't know what records exist prior to 1920, but if there is an invoice, they must exist in some form somewhere. Possibly, the shipping record identified him? Roy would know and you should ask him sometime after April 13.

Bill

Will do. Thanks for your help.

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David Wilson

Bill, you don't mention the "war time years"... 1942-1945.

Are there any plans to index these records, and especially the Victory model.

I know most will probably be standard correspondence and Government purchase orders, but there may be some hidden surprises. Myself and a few other members are interested in OSS (Office of Strategic Services) records.

Thanks!

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

Linda...We plan to do the records from 1920-1967 that are housed at the Museum of Springfield History. We will start on the post-1941 records after completing 1920.

Bill

Thanks, Bill!

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

Having the records for the Victory models would be great!

Bill,
Just thought I would get another quick update on the 1930 records. Still hoping to slip that 44 HE 2nd model into the show if it turns out to be something extra-ordinary. Thanks, Daniel.

Daniel...I should have the records for 1930 in two weeks.

Bill

Bill,
I know I am persistent but have to ask. 1930's all in?

Daniel...the validation process is running a little slower than expected, but hopefully soon.

Bill

The records for 1930 should be available by early next week (June 10).

Bill

Bill,

Will that include the Service Dept records? I have a 1926 .44, one of the first order that was sent to Wolf & Klar. It has a 2.42 stamp on the frame. When I got my letter from Mr Jinks, he stated that it was renickeled and received new grips. I would LOVE to find out who shipped back for work. Of course, I'm hoping it once belonged to a Texas lawman.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

There are service records included (repairs, refinishes, etc.), but the records for 1942 have not been digitized and indexed yet and will have to wait until we complete the years at least back through 1920. If you send me the serial number of the gun, I can check 1941 as a few records from early 1942 are most likely included with them.

Bill

Just out of curiousity what information would post-war invoices contain that a letter from Mr Jinks would not?

Since I'm not getting any younger; are there any plans to digitize any records that exist from the 1850's to 1920's? Another related question: Do any of these records exist? Mike #283

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Mike Maher #283

All of S&W's shipping records have been digitized and paid for by the S&WCA. As to what records exist from the 1850s to 1920 is a question best answered by Roy Jinks. The ultimate objective of the S&WHF is to digitize all of the paper records of S&W, but as to when this will be accomplished (or if it will) is not known at this time.

This is the best answer I can provide at this time.

Bill Cross