Ralph,... how did you become aware of the destination to Argentina, as well as the intended recipient? I like to get the history on my classic firearms but this story goes beyond the pail!....
That's easy, if a little bit costly these days. You send off for a "factory letter"--so called---back when they came from the factory----free for nothing for a goodly spell. Then they started charging for them---not much, but like everything else, "Poker's going up!!"
Time passed, and things changed. The factory no longer provided such letters. A long time, big time, member of the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association decided the preservation of history was a worthwhile undertaking---and he undertook it---with his own time---and with his own money---A LOT of his own money!!
This undertaking came to be called the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation. (They have a section in this forum---they now provide the "factory letters" which have a different name I don't recall because I'm old, and stuck in my ways).
So much for the history. Nowadays they not only provide the letters, they have, along the way, gathered all sorts of factory records, spent another BIG wad of money having them "computerized", such that they're easily and quickly retrieved---and available along with/in addition to the letters.
Okay------the "retail" cost of a letter is $100. The wholesale cost of a letter is $90 for members of the foundation ($100 one time membership fee last time I knew), and down to $75 for members of both the foundation and the S&W Collectors Association (SWCA)----membership fee there is $60 first year, $50/year thereafter----and now having to have looked all that up, the proper name of a "factory letter" is "Letter of Authenticity".
I had a letter on each and every gun in my collection---considered them as the frosting on the cake----and worth it! Then too, every once in a while, one of those letters shows up with words like "This is a very important revolver." in it.This can result it in what one might think of as a windfall if/when one might decide to sell this "very important revolver"----and reap a windfall that would cover the cost of their letters for life, and their childrens' lives, and the lives of their children's children's children---a slight exaggeration for the sake of emphasis.
So, back to everyday letters: They start off by giving you the history of the particular model---when, for how long, how many were produced. Then they go into the several variations (if any), the available barrel lengths/finishes/sights/grips/you name it! Finally they tell you about your particular gun---when it shipped/where it shipped/to whom it shipped, and what it looked like when it left Springfield-----barrel length/finish/grips description---and typically the cost.
Most guns were shipped to distributors---those who sell to retailers. A BUNCH of my pre-war guns were shipped to individuals---some of whom turn out to be interesting---and some of whom who turn out to be very interesting---and every once in a while one that has you jumping right out of your chair---and screaming!!!! (Moments to be cherished!)
As far as I'm concerned, some letters are good, more are better, and too many are just right!!
An extra added attraction is the piles of added information available from the Historical Foundation. Once you get a letter, you can ask the Foundation to search their records on that gun. Last I knew, the search is free. If/when they find something that strikes your fancy you can order copies of that material. The cost is next to nothing---lunch money. The information you get is such that folks think you're a genius! The fact of the matter is you just know who to ask.
Ralph Tremaine
An added thought: We see here, on a regular basis, inquiries such as "Do you think I should get a letter on this gun?" Such inquiries produce myriad responses--some positive, some negative, and some downright foolish! The fact of the matter is NOBODY knows what guns should be lettered until AFTER they get the letter!! An exception to that statement arises when Roy Jinks, the looooooooooooong time Historian at S&W, then Historian at the S&W Historical Foundation, and now semi-retired, but still sharing his wisdom with SWCA members---giving ship dates, and responding to various inquiries on the SWCA Forum often lets the cat out of the bag with or without such inquiries by suggesting it just might be worthwhile to get a letter on a particular gun. Those "suggestions" are to be acted upon just as fast as your little legs will carry you---because he knows something you don't!!!!
...Ben
