Avery11
US Veteran
Lately I've read pages and pages of speculation and debate over whether the Classic and Heratige series of revolvers with the case colored frames were the work of Turnbull Restorations.
Most of the nay sayers contend that the colors are a chemical wash similar to the Ruger revolvers.
I decided to go to the source with a call to Smith&Wesson. The gentleman I spoke with did not know who did the finish but he did know that all were sent out - no coloring was done in- house on the frames.
I followed this with a call to Turnbull Restoration and spoke with Doug himself who told me that he did about 3000 guns for S&W and did not stamp them with his seal because Smith did not allow it. He is a real gentleman by the way and was very accomodating. I'm sure some frames did get the stamp but most did not. Mr. Turnbull said he did not remember the name of the series but that he would check my S/N.
I called back the next day and it turns out that my 21-4 was indeed case-hardened by Turnbull Restoration and shipped back to S&W on July 19th 2007. From New York, that's an overnight trip which places it back in Springfield on my birthday. Pretty cool. Mr. Turnbull's offce administrator said that she would be happy to "letter" my 21-4 and the 22-4 that is on its way to me as we speak.
I am thrilled that the gun below and probably the one on the way are not chemically done and given their pedigree, I see no reason why they won't eventually become collectable - lock or not.
Most of the nay sayers contend that the colors are a chemical wash similar to the Ruger revolvers.
I decided to go to the source with a call to Smith&Wesson. The gentleman I spoke with did not know who did the finish but he did know that all were sent out - no coloring was done in- house on the frames.
I followed this with a call to Turnbull Restoration and spoke with Doug himself who told me that he did about 3000 guns for S&W and did not stamp them with his seal because Smith did not allow it. He is a real gentleman by the way and was very accomodating. I'm sure some frames did get the stamp but most did not. Mr. Turnbull said he did not remember the name of the series but that he would check my S/N.
I called back the next day and it turns out that my 21-4 was indeed case-hardened by Turnbull Restoration and shipped back to S&W on July 19th 2007. From New York, that's an overnight trip which places it back in Springfield on my birthday. Pretty cool. Mr. Turnbull's offce administrator said that she would be happy to "letter" my 21-4 and the 22-4 that is on its way to me as we speak.
I am thrilled that the gun below and probably the one on the way are not chemically done and given their pedigree, I see no reason why they won't eventually become collectable - lock or not.
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