S&W Model 60 Engraving Questions

Daugier · Mar 5, 2024

I just acquired a Model 60 no dash that was said to be Factory Engraved A quality. I have two questions that maybe someone here could help me with:
1. Most of the engraving edges have burs, which I would have thought should have 'smoothed out' over the 40 or so years of it's life. Is this normal?
2. Is there any kind of mark under the scales that would indicate either a factory engraving or a 'send back' for engraving a la later date?

Thanks!

colt_saa · Mar 5, 2024

The only reliable way to determine if the engraving is Factory is to request a historical letter on the firearm

There are no secret marks on the revolver that would indicate it was a Factory job or done after the revolver left the Factory

If you bought it at a price that makes you happy even if it is not Factory, then learning if it is Factory is just a bonus.

It looks nice, but not Class "A"

This was bought without knowing it's heritage at a price I was happy with. I was thrilled when I got my letter

22hipower · Mar 5, 2024

One of the clues to factory engraving is a small logo on the left side when that model normally has a logo on the right side. However, in the case of the M60s the logo was on the left side. . . so not much help there as far as I know.

Look it over carefully for an engraver's mark, maybe initials. Sometimes under the thumb piece, sometimes under the grips. Sometimes worked in to the engraving design so cleverly it is difficult to find. On the other hand I recently acquired an engraved 629-1 that had the engraver's initials in six separate locations. The factory usually didn't allow factory engravers to mark their work, but sometimes they did anyway.

If I were guessing I'd say not Class A and not factory. But some of the engraving done post P&R guns that I thought wasn't, has turned out to be factory. As colt_saa says, the only way to know for sure is to get a letter. Maybe RKmesa or another of the knowledgeable folks will be along to offer an opinion.

If you like it, that's all that really matters.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

RKmesa · Mar 8, 2024

Daugier said:
I just acquired a Model 60 no dash that was said to be Factory Engraved A quality.

Daugier said:
I have two questions that maybe someone here could help me with:
1. Most of the engraving edges have burs, which I would have thought should have 'smoothed out' over the 40 or so years of it's life. Is this normal?

Hammer and chisel engraving leaves little burs. Some engravers buff the surface lightly after they have engraved a gun to smooth some of the rough edges. However, it would take a TON of use to smooth out any burs that were left after it was engraved. That nice model 60 looks to have seen very little use.

Daugier said:
2. Is there any kind of mark under the scales that would indicate either a factory engraving or a 'send back' for engraving a la later date?

I doubt you would find any marks under the grips to indicate factory engraving. Like Jeff said above, most of the time, the factory engravers did not mark their work (much to the disappointment of us engraved gun collectors).

As to whether or not that is Factory work? Most Factory engraved guns shipped with smooth presentation grips ("stocks") like those on your gun. I have seen other Factory engraved Model 60's with engraving patterns similar to your gun. As such, I believe that if you letter it, it will letter as a Factory engraved gun - probably Class "B" engraved - but if there is engraving on the face of the yoke and on the trigger guard (which I can kind of see in your photo), back strap, and knuckle it may letter as Class A. Also, it was probably engraved in Italy as a Factory contract engraved gun and sometimes the "Class A" engraving designation was applied to their work a little too generously in my opinion.

I strongly recommend that you get a letter to confirm if it is factory.

We would love to see some more photos of that beauty.

Congrats and thanks for sharing,

two-bit cowboy · Mar 8, 2024

Daugier et al,

I believe knowing the serial number would help narrow down a specific answer to the question.

Here's my thinking.

The serial number is probably in the R267xxx - R277xxx range (ca. 1981).

I believe the letter would say Class "A" engraved. The definition for Classes "A", "B", & "C" changed through the years, lessening the coverage with each change. (colt_saa's special Model 649 proves there are exceptions -- it is Smith & Wesson after all)

What the letter probably won't say is the engraving was done in Italy under a S&W contract.

I don't have one of the Model 60s from that era, but I've documented several. Here are photos of my Model 36. It letters as Class "A" with the smooth rosewood presentation stocks, one of 11 in this configuration. Shipped on September 17, 1981 -- the 194th anniversary of the United States Constitution.

Hope this helps.

added: Your Model 60 doesn't have a barrel pin but it has the small S&W logo on the frame's left side. That could mean it's later than 1981, but near then was the transition period for deleting the barrel pin and going to the large S&W logo.

S&W Model 60 Engraving Questions

Daugier

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colt_saa

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22hipower

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RKmesa

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two-bit cowboy

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