Lazy Ambersand (the & sign)

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Both my 1969 vintage mdl 36's have a lazy &. Was there a time frame for these or are they more collectable?
 
Pardon, but that figure is an "ampersand." Not
ambersand."

Some may collect guns with that marking, but I don't personally know much about it. Someone else may provide more info.

T-Star
 
anchors, the & was relatively contant and elongated, or "lazy" as some collectors describe it up until the 1960s. It became more straight up after that time but the elongated tail would reappear from time to time as roll stamps were changed. I have a 44 mag shipped in 1973 that has the elongated &. Generally, and I repeat generally, collectors use the & to quickly determine the age of a S&W revolver moreso than a value. At least that's what I do. Hope this helps and you won't even get a spelling lesson either
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Thanks for asking an important question.
Chuck
 
I have K frames in the 1K serial range (1970) and they all have the "lazy". I have a 17-3 (1972) with a 3K ser., and it has the "regular". So maybe in that time frame? Joe
 
I have a model 36-1 3" with ADJUSTABLE sights that was made in 1975 (according to SCS&W) and the right side of the frame (address) has the lazy ampersand, but the barrel does not.
 
EDIT:

I got my order mixed up. I believe there is one "really lazy" ampersand in the address line on my 53-54 vintage K-22 CM:



and then a "sorta lazy" ampersand on the barrel:



Then on the 68 vintage 57 they're both "sorta lazy" but the address line ampersand does seem slightly different:



Then here's my 65-2 with the newer style (again same on both sides but no good shot of the opposite side):



I guess there are at least three types although someone may be able to show more different examples. Also, pardon my "technical" terminology.

Scott
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by toroflow1:
Here are pictures for those interested....
36.jpg

361.jpg
Click to expand...

That's a gorgeous 3" target. You might consider making it a complete target by adding a centerfire wide target hammer. The color cased target hammer only came on the early SS Model 60-4's with full lug 3" barrel. Later -4's had chrome plated hammer and trigger. I have the part number if you're interested. I ordered mine from Smith.
Jim
 
Actaully, those ampersands are not lazy, no not at all. They are "Big Butt" ampersands. Now, fellers, let's get this correct. Ahem
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Dale53
 
my model 60, made in 1969, has both---------the right side of the frame is lazy, but the barrel is upright. Old frame and new barrel?? Go figure! To be sure, let's not waste any parts over the &.
 
I posted this on another thread, but it may be better here. This is on a M19-3 (sn 6K50xxx). I've got other k-frames from the same period (mid 70's) with the regular (skinny butt) ampersands. Anyone have any info on this style and/or if the differences are meaningful?
AtlanticCity11-08054.jpg
 
I have contacted Doc44 about this. I have the same thing on my 1975 17-3. He is trying to get me some info on this particular version.
1111111.jpg
 
Thanks, G4F; your photo shows it much better than mine. Another poster found the same marking on a M65-1 from around the same period. After looking at around a dozen 70's era k-frames last night, I only found the one in my accumulation. Please pass along any insights that you get from Doc44 on this (yet another) S&W mystery. -S2
 
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