Pre 24 S&W Trademark Logo

[Seckardan]

Hello all. This is my first post so pardon me if I didn’t get it 100% correct. I found a lot of useful information on this site in the past. My question is around where the logos are on pre-24s. Looking in the standard catalog, it mentions a large S&W trademark is found on the sideplate. I’m looking at 2 4 inch barrel guns that are for sale. One has the small logo on the left side of the frame and the other has a large logo on the right side of the frame. My understanding was similar to what it says in appendix C which was the large logo was predominantly after 1936 on N frames, prior to that it was the small logo on the left. What’s interesting is the two pictures that are in the standard catalog both show the right side of the frames without any logos, which implies they would have the small logo on the left. Every example I can see online that was sold in the past has a large logo on the right. Any information to help clear this up would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[22hipower]

I can't shed any light as to why some would have the small logo on the left side except in the case of factory engraved guns which, I believe, at that point would all have the small logo on the left. I have three pre-24s and two 1950 Military 44s and all have the large logo on the right side. Interesting question, hope someone has an answer.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[treysl78]

I have a number of Pre 24's but only one has the small logo on the left side. It is S/N S106441 shipped July 30th 1954. Bright blue finish, red post front sight, smooth targets, 6.5" barrel. Not sure why it is on the left.

[handejector]

I have owned three 4 inch Pre 24s in the past. Two had small logos on the left, one had a large logo on the right.

[Seckardan]

That is interesting. Also, good to hear that It’s not uncommon for them to have the small logo on the left. The two serial numbers of the ones I mentioned are S118140 & S113738. The 118 is the one with the small logo on the left.

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum!

When we see seemingly anomalous occurrences like this it can be as simple as old parts inventory.

[Alk8944]

There was a company change order dictating this change. There have been prior posts about this but I have no idea when they would have been, or what the date of the change order was. My recollection is the change date was early 1950s or so. It applied to all models. Prior posts have conjectured why the change was ordered but I am not sure if anyone really knows!

[Hondo44]

The OP has it right: a change order in 1936.

[Shotguncoach]

My pre-24's are evenly split: 3 small logo left side, 3 large logo right side. I also checked my 4" heavy duty and the 4" 3rd HE...both of those are large right side.

[22hipower]

Originally Posted by Shotguncoach

My pre-24's are evenly split: 3 small logo left side, 3 large logo right side. I also checked my 4" heavy duty and the 4" 3rd HE...both of those are large right side.

Are the HD and 3rd HE post 1936? My 3rd from 1931 has the small logo on the left side.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[DETROIT]

My model of 1926 built I believe in 28-29 is small logo left side

[Shotguncoach]

Originally Posted by 22hipower

Are the HD and 3rd HE post 1936? My 3rd from 1931 has the small logo on the left side.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

1938 for the 3rd HE and 1946/47 for the HD




Here are two small left side and one large right side:

[RKmesa]

In my experience, special order guns of the 1950's and early 1960's and engraved guns of that same period often had the small roll mark on the left side, rather than the standard large roll mark on the right side plate.

[Truckman]

I had all mine on display last weekend, and didn't put them back in the safe until this morning (yes, I know I'm lazy)...So as I found each one of my 1950 Target models, I took pics before tucking them into their beds...These are the left side......Ben

[Truckman]

And these are the right side......Ben

[Seckardan]

Thank you All! I appreciate the information. Looks like it could have either Mark and there’s no logic as to why one would have it on the left or the right.

Last question, any sense of what these are going for these days? I know a lot depends on condition, box, etc. but on average.?

[22hipower]

Originally Posted by Seckardan

Thank you All! I appreciate the information. Looks like it could have either Mark and there’s no logic as to why one would have it on the left or the right.

Last question, any sense of what these are going for these days? I know a lot depends on condition, box, etc. but on average.?

I think more research is in order before we conclude "there's no logic as to why one would have it on the left or the right." We know factory engraved guns had the small logo on the left side. I think RKmesa's point above, that special order guns also had it on the left, should be explored further. I don't have any with the logo on the left from post 1936 guns but I wonder if there are indications that any of those were special orders? S&W letters usually confirm a special order.

As to value, I haven't seen one sell locally in quite some time. I see nice ones priced at $2500+/- on line and think that is probably a reasonable price for those in original relatively high condition.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[Shotguncoach]

Restarting the conversation about small left side logos and special order guns after 1936....

I recently received a factory letter for one of my small logo left side guns. It was shipped in November of 1954 as part of a 10 gun shipment, all in the same configuration: 1950 Target, 4" barrel, bright blue, red ramp front sight, target stocks. The letter does not mention a special order, but the invoice lists separate line item charges for the red ramp front sights and target stocks. Is there a code on the invoice that would indicate a special order? Or do the additional line item charges make it "special"?

Or do we just add it to the pile of mysteries that is Smith & Wesson?

[mchom]

I never really gave it much thought

[Doug M.]

It is entirely possible that there is some logic to the difference that is not readily apparent. "Not apparent" and "no logic" are not the same.

[StrawHat]

Originally Posted by Truckman

And these are the right side......Ben

Ben,

(Normally I do not repost images but…)

Is it my imagination or does the location of the logo change even on the same side?

In the top image, the Magnas allow the logo to be clearly seen.

The second image with the target stocks, the stocks cover the logo.

Third image, Magnas, logo visible. May or may not be the same revolver as the first image.

Fourth image, the Magnas appear to cover some of the logo.

Or am I seeing things?

Kevin

[Truckman]

Originally Posted by StrawHat

Or am I seeing things?

Kevin

You are not seeing things, Kevin...And those are four different guns, three 4" and one 3 1/2"...I do not have any pics of my three 6 1/2" at this moment......Ben

[Hondo44]

I recall reading about repositioning the logo for improved visibility over time. The large logo on the side plate originated when Service stocks were the norm.