3.5" Pre-27 Class A Pinto "BLING"
- Thread starter RKmesa
- Start date
jjbrewst1
Member
All good, Smith made some newer reverse Pintos, but I have not seen one of the older pre model ones like the ad States. Would be neat.
Richard to echo Kris, do you have one of those to show us as well.
Glutton for punishment James?
I can only take so many in one thread and my envy meter is already pegged
I can only take so many in one thread and my envy meter is already pegged
jjbrewst1
Member
Richard, and If you do, please start a new thread in a couple weeks. Like Paul stated above, the forum needs some Time to recover
OP
Thanks
I don't know the answer to this question for sure. The primary gun in this post is confirmed in a letter by Mr. Smith that he was the engraver. There is speculation (by Roy Jinks and several others) that the blued gun was also the work of Russ Smith, but a few have thrown out Virginia LeBlanch and or Harry Jarvis. I would think that the same pool of engravers would be thrown out for the other pinto as well. All of them DO letter as factory engraved and they left the factory in the configuration that you see in the photos.
I believe that all of the grips on these three guns are factory. The ivory diamond ones (with the "engraving lines") are something that I have seen on more than a handful of these custom factory guns over the years. I recall there being a thread or two on these grips and I think that it is the general consensus that these stocks were in fact produced in the factory.
One of the pieces of paperwork that is not present with the guns is the original invoice. It would be an interesting tidbit to know.
As to the questions of the "reverse pintos", I do not have one and I have seen very few over the years, none of which I recall being engraved. I too would love to see one. However, I personally like the blued frames with the nickel barrel/cylinder. My only other pinto is a 19-1 (see my avatar) that I purchased several years ago.
Thanks to all for the comments and likes. It has been fun to share this piece with you all. And a special thanks to the forum member who allowed me to purchase these unique pieces and his expressed desire that they be kept together - they do indeed make a spectacular set and I feel lucky to be their current caretaker.
BTW: If there is anyone out there who has a lonely one of these pintos/engraved 357's, I would be more than willing to entertain "adoption discussions" - especially if it is a long-barreled 357.
I don't know the answer to this question for sure. The primary gun in this post is confirmed in a letter by Mr. Smith that he was the engraver. There is speculation (by Roy Jinks and several others) that the blued gun was also the work of Russ Smith, but a few have thrown out Virginia LeBlanch and or Harry Jarvis. I would think that the same pool of engravers would be thrown out for the other pinto as well. All of them DO letter as factory engraved and they left the factory in the configuration that you see in the photos.
I believe that all of the grips on these three guns are factory. The ivory diamond ones (with the "engraving lines") are something that I have seen on more than a handful of these custom factory guns over the years. I recall there being a thread or two on these grips and I think that it is the general consensus that these stocks were in fact produced in the factory.
One of the pieces of paperwork that is not present with the guns is the original invoice. It would be an interesting tidbit to know.
As to the questions of the "reverse pintos", I do not have one and I have seen very few over the years, none of which I recall being engraved. I too would love to see one. However, I personally like the blued frames with the nickel barrel/cylinder. My only other pinto is a 19-1 (see my avatar) that I purchased several years ago.
Thanks to all for the comments and likes. It has been fun to share this piece with you all. And a special thanks to the forum member who allowed me to purchase these unique pieces and his expressed desire that they be kept together - they do indeed make a spectacular set and I feel lucky to be their current caretaker.
BTW: If there is anyone out there who has a lonely one of these pintos/engraved 357's, I would be more than willing to entertain "adoption discussions" - especially if it is a long-barreled 357.
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sorry mines ACP
I'm glad you have them and can keep them together
I'm glad you have them and can keep them together
Yeah, sometimes you are lucky and Mr. Jinks' Letter will have the cost of certain guns.
Have you tried the S&W Historical Foundation for information? Might be a "goldmine"!
Richard,
I'm very happy to know you are now taking care of those three fine guns and I'm sure you'll keep them together until you determine it's time to move them on to another collector to enjoy them as you are now, and as I did for several years.
You have already taken far better pictures of them than I ever did, so I know they have found a wonderful new home. You are a true gentleman and a friend, and I'm happy knowing you are enjoying those guns. I've enjoyed seeing all the nice comments about them as well.
Tom
Wow, those three are amazing! Thanks for sharing, and for the fantastic pictures!
Richard, All I can say is, If I had your money I would burn mine! Beautiful threesome you have there.
Beautiful threesome you have there.ILLWIND
Member
WOW Time for me to stop "aiming for the middle" and set my sights higher. I would love to fall into ownership of one of those. Beautiful.
HWayne
Member
Pure artwork! Museum quality for sure! Maybe someday...<sigh>
Isn't the main question "how do they shoot?"
Just kidding, beautiful guns.
Does anyone know how many of these were made?
Just kidding, beautiful guns.
Does anyone know how many of these were made?
mesinge2
Member
Can't think. Too jealous
Amazing trio. 1956 is my birth year. Just very cool to see those together. Can you imagine how hard it is to engrave those curved surfaces. Just amazing and beautiful photos too. Congrats.
Ok, enough folks have commented on the stunning nature of the piece....I am looking at the ad. The dealer was in New York City.....can you imagine, today...?
H P Bushrod
Absent Comrade
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the pics of those historic S&W's!
olskool
Member
i'm glad you have them and i don't. i am a user and these wonderful guns were not meant to be shot just admired. i had a rare one last year and sold it to a forum member. i bought it for chump change from a pawn shop. shipped in 1940 round butt pre model nickle. the grips were no correct but the gun was new.
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