Thank you very much Bill. I just got off the phone with S&W and was told it's a 1971. Curiousity is pushing me to letter it. To me that's not an old gun, perhaps from 1940 or earlier might be .

The only other refinished gun/letter I've seen was a 1925 2nd HE. The letter stated it was returned for an unknown reason just a few months after it shipped and then again in 1957 for a refinish of the original nickel.

Maybe I'll just keep enjoying shooting it and not concern myself with it's history.

Thank you all again.