2213 roll stamp variations

5pectre · #1 11-17-2016, 03:08 AM

Hello-
Long time listener, first time poster. Looking to see if someone might have some obscure information on 2213 stamps.

I recently picked up a 2213 and noticed two... "symbols" for lack of a better word... on either side of the last line of roll stamped text on the right side of the barrel:

SMITH & WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MA U.S.A.
<LEFT SYMBOL> 22 LONG RIFLE CTG <RIGHT SYMBOL>

Being curious about the symbols, I looked at several auctions on gunbroker, and noticed three variations:
1) Produced in Springfield, symbols present
2) Produced in Springfield, symbols missing
3) Produced in Houlton, symbols missing

Does this indicate an older/earlier version of the pistol? Does the symbol mean anything or refer to anything further back in S&W history? Is this symbol get stamped on other S&W pistols? Is it functional or purely ornamental?

I do have the latest copy of SCSW, and referred to the "Change Dates and Markings" appendix, but didn't see anything about these symbols there.

I've attached photos to this post; the first is my pistol with the symbols present. The next two photos are the alternate roll stamps, without the symbols. The last photo is the same as the first, expect with the symbol circled.

Thanks in advance for any information that anyone has regarding this minor and obscure variation!

shoot summ · #2 11-17-2016, 01:46 PM

Interesting observation.

Pulled my 2213's and 2214 out of the safe. All of my '13's are Houlton manufactured, and no marks. The 2214 is Springfield manufactured with the marks present.

JH1951 · #3 11-17-2016, 01:59 PM

Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania!
These symbols are called "dingbats", which is an old printer's term for quite a variety of similar characters. They are ornamental in the printing industry, and as far as I know ornamental in the Smith & Wesson community as well. There is even a dingbat font if you look it up. Do a search here for "dingbat" and I am confident there will be a fair amount of discussion.
To answer your question on any significance in dating your piece, honestly I do not know. Others may be able to assist there.

5pectre · #4 11-17-2016, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JH1951

Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania!
These symbols are called "dingbats", which is an old printer's term for quite a variety of similar characters. They are ornamental in the printing industry, and as far as I know ornamental in the Smith & Wesson community as well. There is even a dingbat font if you look it up. Do a search here for "dingbat" and I am confident there will be a fair amount of discussion.
To answer your question on any significance in dating your piece, honestly I do not know. Others may be able to assist there.

AHA! Thank you JH1951 for the exact term used to describe what I was looking at. I then in turn found where it was described in SCSW- pg. 495 & 496. See attached photo. The purpose of the dingbats [or "foot"] were to help align the roll stamp text. Also referred to in this Smith-Wessonforum post.

I'd like to imagine that my model with the dingbats was older ("older equipment") that was upgraded over time to not need the dingbats, or the first stamping of the day, something along those lines.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! My curiousity is now satisfied.