Thank you all for the wise cautions. My enthusiasms have kind of run away with me for the last couple of months, and it's good to have people bring me up short.

I will explain my (that is, your) concerns to the seller and see if he is willing to document the gun and set a price that reflects the realities of condition and lack of proper marking. So with both caution and hope I am keeping the door open; I will report back if a deal breaks out at a later date.

I trust the seller, by the way. I have bought several guns from him in the last three years, including other uncommon revolvers and boxed high-condition early specimens -- often at very good prices.

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David Wilson