Honeydofarm
Member
I have a 320 revolving rifle, 16" barrel, two digit ser.#. It has a crown and horse stamped on the left frame. Would this be a 320 that was shipped abroad. Does the two digit S # an stampings increase the value? Thanks
320 revolving rifle info please
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opoefc
US Veteran
Please post some pictures. Revolving rifle values are based on condition and originality. A 2 digit number is nice, but won't make any significant increase in value, in my opinion. If the gun went overseas, there should be some foreign proof marks on it somewhere. Are there? The crown and horse are not factory stampings and would have been added after it left the factory. Is the gun blue or nickel? Is the stock numbered to the gun? Ed.
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OP
Honeydofarm
Member
I'm a novice with this IPad, pictures etc. I'll post pictures soon. Will the S # on the stock be under the butt plate? Should there be a S# under the grips? Pistol and stock are blue steel. Thanks for your input. Warren
opoefc
US Veteran
Stock ser. # is usually stamped on the metal's left side under the wood, not under the butt plate. If the grips are original, then there will be a matching serial number on the back side of the right grip panel, usually in pencil but sometimes stamped in the hard rubber.
Can you back track the ownership of the gun for any clue as to why the crown & horse stamping are there? You should get a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks, S&W Factory Historian, to see when, where and to whom the gun was shipped.
Ed.
Can you back track the ownership of the gun for any clue as to why the crown & horse stamping are there? You should get a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks, S&W Factory Historian, to see when, where and to whom the gun was shipped.
Ed.
OP
Honeydofarm
Member
Viewers,please be patient. I will post pictures when wife can get back in town and take pictures.
Thanks for your patience.
Warren
Viewers, I need some guidance on how to take pictures with this IPad and post them on this forum. Any help appreciated!
Thanks for your patience.
Warren
Viewers, I need some guidance on how to take pictures with this IPad and post them on this forum. Any help appreciated!
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OP
Honeydofarm
Member
Ed,
Can you give me instructions on how to take pictures with my iPad and post to the forum. I have photobucket app., just don't know how to do it.
Thanks Warren
Can you give me instructions on how to take pictures with my iPad and post to the forum. I have photobucket app., just don't know how to do it.
Thanks Warren
opoefc
US Veteran
Warren, All I know about getting photos posted here, you can put on a pin head. I do know you have to download the photos from your camera, or iPad in your case, to your computer, then post them to Photobucket, or similar host, get the pictures and attach them to your post to the this Forum ( I think). Others are invited to critique my explanation and assist Warren in getting pics posted for us. Ed.
Warren, maybe I can help with one option. First, download your pictures to a folder on you computer's desktop. Sign on to the S&W Forum and get to this thread, then click on post reply, scroll down until you see Manage Attachments and click. You will see "Browse" and "Upload" buttons. Select Browse and you should see your computer's hard drive. Look for your folder and pictures and double click on the first one. Now select upload and wait until you see the document in the Manage Attachments window. Repeat this up to 5 times and you will have posted the maximum 5 photos in your post. Click "Close this Window" and click post reply. With a little luck, you will have all your photos posted in the reply for all to see.
Many members use Photobucket, which is fine until the member moves or deletes the pictures. Their posts will no longer have photos attached. The Forum method detailed above will ensure your photos will remain with your post.
Many members use Photobucket, which is fine until the member moves or deletes the pictures. Their posts will no longer have photos attached. The Forum method detailed above will ensure your photos will remain with your post.
OP
Honeydofarm
Member
Viewers, I hope these pictures will get you started in being able to evaluate my 320 RR. Mechanically the gun is perfect. I'd rate the blue finish at 50%+. Motteled forestock and grips are perfect. There is a chip on the toe of the butt stock in both wood and the black plastic plate. I have a replacement black butt plate. Ser.# is 83. You can see the lands and grooves perfectly and the barrel is shiny. I'll try to answer questions that you may have. This gun will be put up for sale soon. Thanks for your patience. Warren
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Honeydofarm
Member
Viewers, I bought this 320 RR 30 years ago at the Tulsa gun show. It has been in the safe ever since. I have never tore the gun down, just oiled it a few times. I have never deep cleaned the gun. Upon a fairly thorough inspection, I find the following: Ser. # on backside of cylinder is 83. Under wood of stock, stamped in steel is 582. Top of barrel, app. 3" behind rear sight is # 144. Right grip bottom has been chipped and filled, found that today. Top of barrel in front of rear sight is: Smith&Wesson Springfield, Mass USA Pat'd July 17 & 24 65. July 11 65
On the left frame under cylinder appears an English/British crown, then initials P N, then a rearing lion or bull. This rearing animal also appears on left side of barrel, app. 1" in front of cyl., and also on the cylinder.
Thanks warren
On the left frame under cylinder appears an English/British crown, then initials P N, then a rearing lion or bull. This rearing animal also appears on left side of barrel, app. 1" in front of cyl., and also on the cylinder.
Thanks warren
OP
Honeydofarm
Member
Since my last post, I haven't seen any responses. I'm new to the forum, have I got locked out?
Thanks Warren
Thanks Warren
Interesting set of numbers. I am no expert on 320 RRs, but I believe the stampings were the same as other models of the era. Matching serial numbered guns should have the following features. The official gun serial number should appear on the bottom of the butt behind the shoulder stock slot, back of the cylinder, bottom of the top-latch, and the inside of the latch frame of the barrel assembly. These should match and yours does not, so my guess is that parts most likely have been exchanged. The serial number on the butt is the official number as far as the BATF is concerned, but you did not mention that one. As for the 144 stamping, how can it be 3" behind the rear sight?? Anyway, these guns are so rare that there is still substantial value in yours.
The only crown over PN I can find is an Italian Proof Mark. The second provisional proof and definitive black powder proof at 9000 psi. British proof marks are different and the only one close is a crown over NP for both London view marks and Birmingham Nitro Proof marks. If there are other marks anywhere on the gun, let us know, since there were only 65 sold to England and only one has been identified according to Roy Jinks, S&W Historian.
The only crown over PN I can find is an Italian Proof Mark. The second provisional proof and definitive black powder proof at 9000 psi. British proof marks are different and the only one close is a crown over NP for both London view marks and Birmingham Nitro Proof marks. If there are other marks anywhere on the gun, let us know, since there were only 65 sold to England and only one has been identified according to Roy Jinks, S&W Historian.
OP
Honeydofarm
Member
Thanks for your input. I will use a magnifying glass and check further where you advised. I might add that all moving parts fit so perfectly, I can't imagine that parts would have been changed. It is tight and hinges and locks up perfectly. Timing of the cylinder is excellent. I would bet that the gun has never been refinished and everything is correct. I need to letter the gun with Mr. Jerks, just haven't had time. It's wheat sowing time for me.
Thanks Warren
Thanks Warren
A gun of this value absolutely needs a factory letter. It is the only sure way for a buyer to know what they are purchasing and would definitely add value to the sale.
BTW, I found that one of your pictures of the butt showed "83" and that is the official serial number for the gun.
With that serial number, the Jinks book shows it as manufactured with a 16" barrel. #144 was also a 16" barrel, and #582 is on the frame as is the sn 83. Normally, a factory rework mark under the stocks is a month and year date, but they were not repairing these guns in May 1982 as far as I know. If you could show closeups of the numbers and the crown stamping we may be able to determine which are factory and post-factory stampings.
BTW, I found that one of your pictures of the butt showed "83" and that is the official serial number for the gun.
With that serial number, the Jinks book shows it as manufactured with a 16" barrel. #144 was also a 16" barrel, and #582 is on the frame as is the sn 83. Normally, a factory rework mark under the stocks is a month and year date, but they were not repairing these guns in May 1982 as far as I know. If you could show closeups of the numbers and the crown stamping we may be able to determine which are factory and post-factory stampings.
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VaRecon
Member
I second Glowe, you should give Smith a call about getting a letter for that beauty.
