FWIW, I've purchased two "new old stock" S&W revolvers from dealers over the net in the last 6-8 years. Both had minor issues that included retarded timing, handling marks and/or a canted barrel. After the fact, I suspect that is why these particular guns never sold. I'm not saying I would never buy one under that heading again but I know now they require extra scrutiny before purchase.

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Dave

....should be called 'blems' or 'factory seconds.' or maybe just 'defective'.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I have occasionally purchased NOS/never sold at retail guns that were actually manufactured several years prior. Not defective, not seconds, not blems and never an issue. I recently bought a NOS gun made in '95. A model I liked from that era, and in perfect condition as expected, in the box with everything. Very glad I bought the NOS/20+ year old gun

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

I bought a Ruger Mark I NIB from a new start LGS in 2016.. it was manufactured in '74.. he actually had 5 of them.