Messer
Member
It was a 32 HE - 3.25" barrel with factory Target sights...
Here is the link if interested...
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/340275-s-w-letter-my-32-he-came.html
Take care,
Bob S.
Factory letters......what is your most shocking/abnormal
- Thread starter weatherby
- Start date
It was a 32 HE - 3.25" barrel with factory Target sights...
Here is the link if interested...
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/340275-s-w-letter-my-32-he-came.html
Take care,
Bob S.
Have you been able to find out any further info verifying which Hatfield it was after posting that thread?
I have no idea whether it is really the famous Hatfield, but after reading all the other guys replies in your thread, I tend to believe it probably was. The gun is way cool regardless.
Thank you Bob for sharing this ( again! - as I had missed it the first go-round. )
Wow!
Absolutely lovely old S&W Revolver, and, such a unique factory configuration, and, an interesting Letter to boot.
I really enjoyed seeing this.
I've never lettered this gun, but according to Roy it left the factory in February of 1953. It is a Regulation Police with all matching serial numbers, but somehow the barrel got marked "32 Long Cartridge". I bought it because it was just too odd to pass up. It doesn't really fit into my collection and have been thinking of selling it, if someone is interested.
Attachments
The best letter I have is for a SW1076. It came with the gun..no charge. It verifies the pistol was one of the original 2500 ordered by the FBI for testing of the 10mm pistol in Quantico VA. The letter basically doubles the pistol value.
I have lettered a few pre model J frames and a couple show they were sent to local police supply stores.
But the best letter I have for a pre model centennial is pictured below. It's the original sales receipt. No charge for it either. At least one LEO I know from the local gun shows and a SWCA connection knew the Sergeant.
I have lettered a few pre model J frames and a couple show they were sent to local police supply stores.
But the best letter I have for a pre model centennial is pictured below. It's the original sales receipt. No charge for it either. At least one LEO I know from the local gun shows and a SWCA connection knew the Sergeant.
kwill1911
Member
This one:
tipoc
Member
Some years back I picked up an old nickel plated triple lock. I sent in for a letter. Roy could tell me little except when it shipped because the pages recording it had been damaged.
A few years later I sent off for a letter again encouraged by new methods of reading old damaged pages of text. I got this letter back...
A factory nickel plated triple lock with a 5 inch barrel.
tipoc
A few years later I sent off for a letter again encouraged by new methods of reading old damaged pages of text. I got this letter back...
A factory nickel plated triple lock with a 5 inch barrel.
tipoc
I don't have anything special in my letter for my TL, but mine is 5321 and is nickel with 5" bbl and shipped that way Oct 1 1913. It was re-finished at the factory 3-'62. All numbers match except the grips, which I bought off of a forum member a few years ago. It shoots groups like your at 15 yards from offhand too. (5.5 gr 231/cci 300/240 Dry Creek swc/625 fps- very mild load)Some years back I picked up an old nickel plated triple lock. I sent in for a letter. Roy could tell me little except when it shipped because the pages recording it had been damaged.
A few years later I sent off for a letter again encouraged by new methods of reading old damaged pages of text. I got this letter back...
A factory nickel plated triple lock with a 5 inch barrel.
tipoc
Last edited:
hotrod150
Member
Very cool original reciept, esp with the LEO provenance. To me this is cooler than a factory letter which would just show the gun shipped to the Lake Erie Chemical Company. What sort of outfit is/was that? It doesn't sound like the usual handgun retailer.
Last edited:
OP
The Stocks lettering on this one was a very nice surprise.
I do wonder where they dug them up from.
I do wonder where they dug them up from.
Harkrader
Member
Some years ago I got a S&W 15-2 with "U.S.A.F." on the side, at a fire sale price. It was worth every penny to have a factory letter confirm it. There are a few intriguing marks on it.
Then I got a Colt 1878 shotgun with extensive, beautiful engraving. I traded a beater Ruger Mini-14 and a few bucks for it. Seller said he did not know its history. It was obvious that the front sight was somebody's afterthought.
Colt charged for the basic gun research PLUS $100 to research the engraving. The letter said it left the factory with barrels longer than it has now (still BEAUTIFUL Belgian Damascus!), meaning someone nipped off a couple inches. Sucks, but I still got a deal. The engraving? Here is the total that my $100 got me: "Factory Engraved: Yes, engraving valued at $7.50." "Grade Configuration: Fancy"
I'm still pleased to have the letter. If I sell it I can be confident of telling the buyer about the barrels. The engraving and wood will sell itself.
More recently I got a S&W 66-1 in pristine condition, barely fired, and stored for a long time. It was purchased by a LEO in 1974 for $185.47. Like "Bullmack," I don't need a factory letter for it because I have the sales receipt with the buyer's name and address, the box and all accessories and the wrapping paper. Yes, I have fired it. I ain't no museum.
Then I got a Colt 1878 shotgun with extensive, beautiful engraving. I traded a beater Ruger Mini-14 and a few bucks for it. Seller said he did not know its history. It was obvious that the front sight was somebody's afterthought.
Colt charged for the basic gun research PLUS $100 to research the engraving. The letter said it left the factory with barrels longer than it has now (still BEAUTIFUL Belgian Damascus!), meaning someone nipped off a couple inches. Sucks, but I still got a deal. The engraving? Here is the total that my $100 got me: "Factory Engraved: Yes, engraving valued at $7.50." "Grade Configuration: Fancy"
I'm still pleased to have the letter. If I sell it I can be confident of telling the buyer about the barrels. The engraving and wood will sell itself.
More recently I got a S&W 66-1 in pristine condition, barely fired, and stored for a long time. It was purchased by a LEO in 1974 for $185.47. Like "Bullmack," I don't need a factory letter for it because I have the sales receipt with the buyer's name and address, the box and all accessories and the wrapping paper. Yes, I have fired it. I ain't no museum.
Last edited:
DWalt
Member
Lake Erie Chemical was once a part of S&W which made tear gas guns and shells for law enforcement, and maybe other things. I think if you Google it, you can find out more. http://www.hippy.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=177
OP
Here is the total that my $100 got me: "Factory Engraved: Yes, engraving valued at $7.50." "Grade Configuration: Fancy"
I think on that it was well spent....shows everything you would want.
Nice looking Colt
I think on that it was well spent....shows everything you would want.
Nice looking Colt
Harkrader
Member
Yes, weatherby, I do feel it was money well spent. I still don't know what that description of the engraving means, and I wish I could find out who did the work. I've heard that some engravers put their initials somewhere in the work, or that they had individual cartouches. I've tried to look it over but don't recognize a name or cartouch.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Downside? Hey, my name is LeRoy and I run a feed store in East Bumduck, Iowa. I have been looking for that engraved Model 29 since I loaned it to President Kennedy when he and Jackie visited my store in October of 1962 to buy some dog food for the presidential dog when traveling in Iowa campaigning for Democrats during the 1962 Mid-term elections. I just HAVE to have it back, price no object. Name your price!
