15-3 with gold lettering?

[firefighterjohn]

I just stopped into my LGS; where I've acquired several of my S&Ws over the years, and they had a nice 15-3 4" TH, TT, no box, no papers, but smooth non-original stocks for $599. The thing I thought was odd was that all of the stamped lettering on it was gold. One of the customers there at the time said that he thought some had original gold lettering. I thought that was usually something an owner did to customize their gun?

After seeing the gold lettering, I put it back down, as I already have a nicer 15-3(which was more $ than this one) I got back in March: https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/719629-lgs-still-has-15-3-a.html

So was this 15-3 something special or an aftermarket "enhancement"?

 

[Alk8944]

"Bonanza Gold" Filling Paint

It is after-market. There is a product called "Bonanza Gold" that was popular in the 1950s through 1970s that was/is used to fill lettering. It consists of a lacquer and "bronzing powder". In other words, it is simply gold paint. It is very easy to apply. I still have a Bonanza Gold kit I bought in the 1970s that still works just fine.

It does no harm, but if you want to remove it. it can easily be done with fingernail polish remover and a patch, cotton ball or Q-tip. An old toothbrush helps to get the softened paint out of the lettering. It takes less than a minute to remove.

There is also "Bonanza Silver". Another use for the gold it to fill the grooving on the front sight. This gives the effect of having a gold bead sight. It is still sold by Forster, the reloading tool maker. Here is a link if you are curious: FORSTER BONANZA BRUSHING INLAY

 

[firefighterjohn]

It is after-market. There is a product called "Bonanza Gold" that was popular in the 1950s through 1970s that was/is used to fill lettering. It consists of a lacquer and "bronzing powder". In other words, it is simply gold paint.

It does no harm, but if you want to remove it can easily be done with fingernail polish remover and a patch, cotton ball or Q-tip. An old toothbrush helps to get the softened paint out of the lettering.

There is also "Bonanza Silver".

Thanks for the info Alk8944.

Just by chance, I just read this thread: Combat Masterpiece Detroit Police - Inscribed Names and Date and saw that the Model 15 featured there HAD gold lettering on it as well. That's why I wondered if it came from the factory that way.

Thanks again for the clarification. I think I'm gonna pass on this one I saw since I already got a nicer 15-3 4" earlier this year.

 

[rbmac52]

Some commemoratives from Smith & Wesson did have gold filled stampings, such as the original Texas Ranger set, and the Texas Wagon Train model.

 

[Alk8944]

Some commemoratives from Smith & Wesson did have gold filled stampings, such as the original Texas Ranger set, and the Texas Wagon Train model.

Yes, but very, very few overall, and only very specific commemorative models. These are not germane to the original question!

 

[rbmac52]

In your opinion maybe...

 

[CH4]

Last year I found a cherry 3.5” 27 that had its roll stamps filled with white paint - very well executed. A few minutes with fingernail polish remover, Q tip and soft toothbrush and it was gone. Don’t let such an embellishment stop you from buying it.

 

[wetdog]

Here is what it looked like.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I'm not a big fan of gold (bronze powder) or white lettering on my revolvers, and have removed it from several revolvers that previous owners had filled. As others have stated, acetone or nail polish remover will quickly do the job. However, S&W did gold fill the lettering on some of their commemorative revolvers, like my Texas Ranger commemorative from 1973. I'm not a commemorative collector (I just really like the design and fit & finish of that particular 19-3), and my TR is a shooter. The gold fill began to wear off, so I cleaned out the lettering and applied Bonanza Gold to restore the gold fill. I wouldn't let the lettering dissuade me from buying a handgun because it is easily removed if not wanted.

 

[CajunBass]

I remember when about half my hunt club had "gold" lettering on their shotguns. It was quite a fad "back in the day." I never did it to mine. Mine got painted with "Bow Dull" paint, which it still has today.

I remember as a kid seeing that Bonanza Gold at the Miracle Mart department store in the sporting goods section. No idea why I remember it, but I can almost see the display rack to this day.