Help! I need "hi-res" CS40/45 slide logos!

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JohnHL

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Hi, everyone! I purchased a Cerakoted CS45 slide from another forum member and I like it very much but the Cerakoting has covered up the "Chiefs Special" and "SMITH & WESSON" laser graphics. I know some members don't care for the "laser tattoos" that S&W went with on the late 3rd gen models but now the "old billboard" looks a little bare. I'm not particularly imaginative and imho the original graphics would look just fine. I've located a local laser engraver who has experience with Cerakote and can "tattoo" the slide's sides without burning through the coating and exposing the bare carbon steel below which would then be subject to corrosion. Sounds good to me. He also informs me that to do the best job with the quickest set-up, it would be very helpful to obtain "high resolution images" of the slide markings. I searched the web but didn't find any. I sent an e-mail to S&W requesting this information but as busy as they are with newer models I don't expect they even have that stuff anymore. I have the slide's twin brother (CS40 stainless) with the identical markings but I'm told that's not "hi-res" enough, although I can't imagine anything more high resolution than reality! Anyway, if there are any Graphic Artists/Designers or Folks Who Know This Stuff Better Than Me out there and can lead me to some hi-res images I sure would appreciate it. Thanks! John.
 
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Were I in your position, and assuming I intended to re-apply the factory marking over the cerakote, I think I would call customer service at S&W and see if I could get a copy of the their original image file used in the factory laser engravers. You get better results from S&W by calling but be prepared to be on hold for a bit before someone finally picks up. Emailing S&W is typically futile, at least in my experience it is.

Cheers
Bill
 
Thanks, Bill. I appreciate the reply. BTW I really enjoy your posts and admire your craftsmanship. And yeah, I don't want to be on hold a long time but I also don't want to take up a very busy worker's time on something that won't make them any money and takes them away from a more deserving customer. S&W does have a hi-res image of their circular logo downloadable from their sight. I've found similar fonts to the "Chiefs Special" and "Smith & Wesson Springfield, Ma USA" lettering, so that should be no problem (hopefully). Anyway, I'd be almost as happy to approximate (within reason) as duplicate the original markings. Thanks again. I'll probably give 'em a call. John.
 
I called S&W Cust. Serv. this morning and got through pretty quick! I talked to a fellow who was very nice but told me:
"They stopped making those pistols 8 years ago."
"That's something they have in production."
"That's not something they give out."
"They probably don't even have those anymore."
Oh well, I gave it a shot.
Now on to Plan B. John.
 
Send me your email address or phone number and I'll send you a picture of my CS-45's slide (both sides).

Whether the resolution will be good enough I can't say but I'll send several.

***GRJ***
 
Wow, Yoda! That's very thoughtful of you, but it probably won't help my engraver. I have a CS40 slide in stainless with the identical markings, but even reality isn't hi-res enough. I'm guessing under magnification the edges would not be sharp enough and the laser can't abide such imprecision. Otherwise just put it in a scanner and copy it. But I guess it ain't that simple. But anyway, thanks again, Sir. I'm going to see the engraver tomorrow. We'll see what he says. John.
 
OK so I went with Plan B today. The engraver spent a great deal of time and effort to select and position the closest logo and fonts he could find and the slide came out looking almost identical to factory. The average gun person couldn't tell it wasn't original. I should say the average Smith & Wesson enthusiast couldn't tell. The average gun person would say, "CS...what?" And when you said Smith & Wesson 3rd generation they would think you were talking about somebody's grandchildren. (Rimshot)
On top of that, he only charged me $35.00 to do both sides. Another place wanted $50.00 just for one side.
So I'm a happy guy. Cheers. John.
 
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