A general S&W Letter protocol question

[jd hubbard]

Just wondering what is usually done/preferred when selling a S&W that includes a letter regarding the addressee's name? Is it kosher or even desireable to block it out or does that somehow cloud matters?

 

[jd hubbard]

Just wondering what is usually done/preferred when selling a S&W that includes a letter regarding the addressee's name? Is it kosher or even desireable to block it out or does that somehow cloud matters?

 

[Raider]

I would block out my name and address but thats just my opinion.

 

[m-1911]

I just ask Roy to not put a name and address on the letter.

 

[mikepriwer]

JD

Its done both ways. Personally, I don't understand wanting to block the name on
the letter. Suppose the gun was shipped to some person - why not block that name
out also ? I think its paranoid to block your name, but that is just what I think.
I never alter a letter when I sell the gun.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[Guest]

I agree with Mike P. on this one. MAK

 

[Duster42]

I also agree with Mike.
I have never altered any letters when selling.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

The less people know who I am and where I live, the better.

Those of you who think that is paranoia had better look up "identity theft" on the internet.

As a matter of fact, I wouldn't pass the letter on. The buyer is welcome to spend his $ to get the gun lettered.

 

[bettis1]

I'm with Mike on this one. I also never alter a letter. Actually, if you are really into collector grade guns, having the documentation that a well known collector (for instance, like Mike or many others here) as the addressee on the letter is just another link in the provenance.

Oh yeah, Wyatt. We know a lot more about you than you'd thnk.

http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bio/earp/earp.htm

Bob

 

[handejector]

Just for clarification- I believe the original poster is asking simply about removing HIS name from the letter.
That said, my thoughts:

Certainly, the content of the letter proper MUST NOT be altered.

I think the addressee should leave his NAME, but remove his street address if it is on the letter. In this day and age, it pays to be security conscious. NEATLY cut it away with a razor knife. DO NOT black it out with ink or magic marker- it looks like Hell and sometimes allows the address to be read anyway. With a neatly cut away address, the hole is hardly visible when backed by the other page or suitable paper if a one page letter.

Use a P.O. Box if you have one.

If no P.O. Box, ask Roy to leave the address OFF, or address the letter "To Whom it may Concern".

If it really makes you feel more comfortable for whatever reason to also remove your name, go ahead- just DO IT NEATLY. Of course, you lose all bragging rights down the line. Who's gonna believe "Hey, I owned that once- I was the guy in that hole......."

 

[hsguy]

"As a matter of fact, I wouldn't pass the letter on. The buyer is welcome to spend his $ to get the gun lettered."


Well, that is one of the most foolish opinions I have heard in a long time. John

 

[opoefc]

I can see both sides of the situation. Personally I use a PO Box but my real name and I pass the letter on with the gun when I sell or trade it. I have guns that have 3 or 4 letters with them, going back before Roy was in diapers, and that can be intersting, because they don't always say the same thing about the gun! different ship dates, etc., - some with Roy signature on several of them. Not a slam at Roy, just that better info on the shipping records came to light over the years. Not passing on a letter with the gun, doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but that's the seller's choice. It's a free country. Some times a seller says " if you want the letter, that's an extra $30" OK, that's fair, if it's clear up front that the letter is not part of the purchase price. IMHO. ED.

 

[handejector]

I did forget to say that, OF COURSE, the letter should go with the gun, in my opinion.
Charging extra seems a bit tacky

- just price the gun accordingly, or don't MENTION a letter!
I mean, like, after the gun is gone, what's the thrill of having the letter? Wouldn't a copy do just as well?

 

[jd hubbard]

Well, thank you all! I'll have to weigh it again for myself if I ever decide to part with a lettered Smith (somewhat unlikely but not totally out of the question though there aren't that many in my humble 'collection'). Two things I know from this thread 1) I'm pretty much poor pickin's for ID theft

and 2) I sure don't have the rep that would add value to a letter as some of the respondents

 

[PZ93C]

I don't block it out.

He sent me money to the same address, (no PO Box), so what's the difference?

 

[crofoot629]

I leave the letter unaltered. Mine however all have my P.O. Box and not a street address.

If I have a letter for a gun I'm selling, I include that information to any prospective buyer. I of course always include the letter with the purchase of the gun.

Why block out my name? By now It's pretty well been documented that I'm on the planet.

Emory

 

[H Richard]

Why block anything out. If you have a name, it is childs play to find someone's address. Unfortunately the internet makes us all paranoid. If you think you may sell lettered guns, you would be best served having them addressed "To Whome it may concern".

 

[user]

Documentation of the chain of title provides provenance to the collectors, and increases the value of the objects sold. There is no privacy right in the letters that come into one's hands through such a sale, and no courtesy is required. (The letters may be a subject of a copyright, however, so they can't be copied and republished, without checking with the authors first.)

I stay out of the collectibles business, myself.