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S&W Factory Engraved Model 57 no Dash???
- Thread starter AC Man
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IMHO, to be 100% sure, I would get a Letter of Authenticity fom the S&W Historical Foundation.
Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
A couple of other choices. Post some good pictures and see what our resident experts think, or buy a book. The Standard Catalogue has a section on S&W engraving. If you want to dig deeper yourself, there is a subject book. See pictures attached.
Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
A couple of other choices. Post some good pictures and see what our resident experts think, or buy a book. The Standard Catalogue has a section on S&W engraving. If you want to dig deeper yourself, there is a subject book. See pictures attached.
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Let's wait for RK Mesa to get here, Richard should have some definitive words on the subject...
...Ben
...BenACE10000D
Member
Are you talking about the one that was on GB last night? Gorgeous gun, but I don't think it was factory engraved. Most factory engraved Smiths I have seen don't have the S&W symbol on the right side, to give them more real estate to make a nice engraving. I saw there was writing on the label that didn't match any of the other writing on the label. Something seemed off with that gun.
If the question is about the one that sold on GB last night I'd say it is definitely not factory engraved. The blue loss on the barrel didn't help with the bidding though and the barrel and frame being slightly different shades of blue, turning plum perhaps, would be off putting for many collectors too. At the price for which it sold, I might have bought it anyway.
I did buy the 57 below though a few months ago for not a lot more, also on GB, which is Class A factory engraved. It wasn't advertised as factory engraved but the small logo on the left side usually indicates factory engraving; I lettered it after receiving it. From this period most I've seen also had the smooth presentation target stocks too. The label on the box of the one on GB looks suspicious to me as well.
And thinking more about the box. I think factory engraved guns from the period would have come in a blue box but that box would not have had the label on it. Rather the plain blue box would have been packaged along with a wooden presentation case in a cardboard shipping box. The label would have been affixed to the cardboard box, not the blue one, as with the one in the photo below.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2pWqv1n https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2p1aA4R https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
I did buy the 57 below though a few months ago for not a lot more, also on GB, which is Class A factory engraved. It wasn't advertised as factory engraved but the small logo on the left side usually indicates factory engraving; I lettered it after receiving it. From this period most I've seen also had the smooth presentation target stocks too. The label on the box of the one on GB looks suspicious to me as well.
And thinking more about the box. I think factory engraved guns from the period would have come in a blue box but that box would not have had the label on it. Rather the plain blue box would have been packaged along with a wooden presentation case in a cardboard shipping box. The label would have been affixed to the cardboard box, not the blue one, as with the one in the photo below.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2pWqv1n https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2p1aA4R https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
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I am in agreement with 22hipower that the auction whose link is in the post above does not appear to be a factory engraved revolvolver
So the engraving notation on the box was definitely added after the fact as it appears to be different handwriting than the rest of the labes
Also as ACE10000D points out the factory engraved guns almost exclusively have the small logo on the left hand side of the revolver in order to give the side plate as a large canvas for the artist
I am in agreement with 444 Magnum that those modified grips are not something the Factory would do
Not all factory engraved revolvers shipped with smooth presentation stocks. My factory engraved Model 57 shipped with standard checkered target stocks and they were not even pretty ones. I actually had Cullina make me a set of grips from French Cake Walnut that look much more attractive on the revolver
So the engraving notation on the box was definitely added after the fact as it appears to be different handwriting than the rest of the labes
Also as ACE10000D points out the factory engraved guns almost exclusively have the small logo on the left hand side of the revolver in order to give the side plate as a large canvas for the artist
I am in agreement with 444 Magnum that those modified grips are not something the Factory would do
Not all factory engraved revolvers shipped with smooth presentation stocks. My factory engraved Model 57 shipped with standard checkered target stocks and they were not even pretty ones. I actually had Cullina make me a set of grips from French Cake Walnut that look much more attractive on the revolver
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gwpercle
Member
Factory Engraved means it was done at the S&W Factory ...
not after being bought and engraved by a Private engraver.
Scroll is the "style" or pattern of the engraving . There are many styles and some engravers were famous for a particular style they did .
Very complicated subject ... be careful of what you buy .
I don't know enough to advise you but a Factory Letter would tell the tale .
Gary
Just a small clarification as to “factory engraved.” Sometimes S&W sent the pieces to contract engravers. In the late ‘70s many were done by engravers in Italy. They’re still “factory engraved” although the engraving wasn’t necessarily done at the factory.
Jeff
SWCA 1547
Yes, it was the model 57 engraved that sold Sunday on the internet. First of all I have quite a few N Frame pinned and recessed revolvers and I don't shoot any of them because they are all mint. Some proven unfired, the rest appear unfired.
This 57 gave me a bad feeling of bidding on the unknown, but mostly the wear on the muzzle. I prayed it would look better in person and would have passed if it was just a plain model 57 no dash.
I can argue that the box is altered and ENGRAVED didn't match the rest of the box. Look at the N in engraved and the N in the serial number. They are identical. I don't see a problem at all. You can Google it. The box serial number and gun serial number are identical.
This gun was the end of a era, so as others have mentioned may have been shipped out by the factory for engraving. I know all the famous inhouse engravers were long gone by then.
Also, this seller is top notch and has an excellent reputation that I have bought from before and offers a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.
Thank you all. Engraving is a very hard thing to figure out. This is my first in 67 years and probably my last.
This 57 gave me a bad feeling of bidding on the unknown, but mostly the wear on the muzzle. I prayed it would look better in person and would have passed if it was just a plain model 57 no dash.
I can argue that the box is altered and ENGRAVED didn't match the rest of the box. Look at the N in engraved and the N in the serial number. They are identical. I don't see a problem at all. You can Google it. The box serial number and gun serial number are identical.
This gun was the end of a era, so as others have mentioned may have been shipped out by the factory for engraving. I know all the famous inhouse engravers were long gone by then.
Also, this seller is top notch and has an excellent reputation that I have bought from before and offers a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.
Thank you all. Engraving is a very hard thing to figure out. This is my first in 67 years and probably my last.
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Easy to resolve the questions, just get a letter. But whether it is factory or not, does that really matter? I have a mix of factory and non-factory engraved guns, some of the non-factory pieces I like better than some of the factory ones; some were more expensive than most of the factory pieces. The only thing that really matters is that you like the engraving.
The gun sold at an attractive price for an engraved N frame. One in nice shape without engraving might go for $1200-$1500. You got the engraving for $500 bucks and if you were to have someone complete one like it today you'd have several thousand dollars in the engraving alone.
Enjoy it, if I'd seen it before it sold you might not have gotten it. And beware, once you have your first engraved gun they're a little like potato chips, nobody can have just one.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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Thanks for boosting my confidence. I am concerned about the muzzle wear. Who totes around a engraved firearm and wears off the finish. Most are MINT! I guess it is a wash for cost.
I think I paid the exact same price for my 1964 first year 4" presentation case velour Model 57 with ZERO wear or handling marks last year.
Pics can be bad. That is what I am hoping for. The rest of the gun looks perfect to me. I'll let everyone know how it turns out when It arrives. Thanks again.
I think I paid the exact same price for my 1964 first year 4" presentation case velour Model 57 with ZERO wear or handling marks last year.
Pics can be bad. That is what I am hoping for. The rest of the gun looks perfect to me. I'll let everyone know how it turns out when It arrives. Thanks again.
444 Magnum
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AC Man,
I bought this engraved K38 combat masterpiece that was carried after the enhancements. I imagine someone carried it with pride...at least to several BBQ's.
Muzzle and high edge wear from holster use.
I bought it because the engraving was well executed and it came with a set of ivories.
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This is one of the more beautifully engraved guns that I own. The engraving was NOT done at the factory, but it was done by a master engraver. It was also shot and holstered... a lot!!! And I love it!!!
You received good advice above and you are right - getting the "feel" for engraving and engraved guns takes study, time and it helps if you are okay spending money.
Enjoy your new treasure!!!
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Here is a nice Model 57 factory engraved.
Enjoy,
bdGreen
Enjoy,
bdGreen
444 Magnum
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