Saw, a not often seen, 681 no dash the other day, 4in barrel, stamped into the lower left of the grip frame is E25, which is also stamped on the Yoke.
if i remember correctly S&W would stamp a code on the grip if sent in for repair/work
wondering what would this represent?
thanks Al

I don't think that would be a factory refinish mark, but probably a internal S&W assembly mark known to the production staff.

I forgot to add that the "story" with this gun is it was a PD issue gun....after the first qualification with them they were issued a 9mm..

It has the org box and I couldnt see any notations on it as to somemthing done to it to fulfill a contract

It has Pachmayr grips on it, which have a viewing slot in the bottom so you can see the sn...not sure as a PD gun if these are org.....perhaps the department or individual officers did this...the box under grips just has SB which I sure means square butt
thanks al

Wish I could find one at a reasonable price these days. But don't see many for sale at any price that often anymore.

I believe the E25 is an inspector's stamp.

The Pachmayr stocks with the bottom slot were somewhat common in the LE revolver era, so the SN could be seen without removing them if it was not stamped in the yoke recess.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

thanks for all the input...there is an 5 digit assembly number on grip and yoke
thanks again al