Engraved 629-3 6"

[Mike I]

Please give me your opinions on a engraved 629-3 6". The gun is new never been fired and engraved on the right side "Thanks for 25 years service + "the man's name". The normal logo stamp is not there and the engraving is kinda script and well done. The pictures of the gun show it to be mint. Box and papers are included.

Does the engraving add or subtract value? Any ball park estimates of value. Thanks for any comments.

Mike I

 

[foxtail]

Unless it is your name, or someone famous it will reduce the value.

 

[Mike I]

Unless it is your name, or someone famous it will reduce the value.

It is presumed that he was a S&W executive, Thomas Goraj. Does anyone know of him? Thanks for your help.

Mike I

 

[Mike I]

It is presumed that he was a S&W executive, Thomas Goraj. Does anyone know of him? Thanks for your help.

Mike I

Any comments??

 

[Mike I]

Any comments??

Anyone??

Mike I

 

[VaRecon]

Nothing I could find online and the name is not familiar.
My guess is it was a retirement present and has more sentimental value then monetary.
No telling who we was or why they gave him a gun.
Pictures could help.

 

[roundgunner]

Someday I want a engraved gun but not with someone else's name on it. I would call it even without seeing it.

 

[Mike I]

Please give me your opinions on a engraved 629-3 6". The gun is new never been fired and engraved on the right side "Thanks for 25 years service + "the man's name". The normal logo stamp is not there and the engraving is kinda script and well done. The pictures of the gun show it to be mint. Box and papers are included.

Does the engraving add or subtract value? Any ball park estimates of value. Thanks for any comments.

Mike I

Some more information. This is the explanation to the seller when he bought the gun.

"I bought your 629 directly from Tom Goraj, he is an old friend. He never fired any of the guns he bought or was presented from S&W. He's just not a shooter, he was marketing director when he retired.' Now some pics. So who is Tom Goraj?






Mike I

 

[GreenRiverBoy]

Wow. That is nice. I would replace the side plate. Is that the only place the engraving is located. If so, swap it out.
Cheers!

 

[slyfox1]

Wow. That is nice. I would replace the side plate. Is that the only place the engraving is located. If so, swap it out.
Cheers!

or have it buffed out.

 

[wproct]

I'm assuming that you now own the revolver? If so, I wouldn't worry about the engraving. That is such a nice revolver, I would enjoy owning it. You have the options of buffing it out or replacing the sideplate, but that can be done at some point in the future.

 

[Mike I]

Some more information. This is the explanation to the seller when he bought the gun.

"I bought your 629 directly from Tom Goraj, he is an old friend. He never fired any of the guns he bought or was presented from S&W. He's just not a shooter, he was marketing director when he retired.' Now some pics. So who is Tom Goraj?
View attachment 91621

View attachment 91622

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Mike I

Anyone know of Tom Goraj, marketing director of S&W?

Mike I

 

[Mike I]

Anyone know of Tom Goraj, marketing director of S&W?

Mike I

Bump, Does any of know of Tom Goraj who might have been marketing director of S&W?

Mike I

 

[M29since14]

Mike, why don't you call the factory and ask to speak to Roy Jinks? The gun probably is what it is but if you want to know more, I imagine Mr. Jinks would have known this fellow if he worked at an important position at S&W. I doubt the etching adds any value to the gun since it apparently meant little to Goraj or any members of his family. To me, it would detract from value, but that might not be the case to the right collector.

 

[TAROMAN]

I have had two N-frame sideplates replaced by S&W.
They have ones with the logo and do a perfect job.
With all respects to Mr. Goraj, if it was mine I'd have it replaced.

 

[jaykellogg]

I googled Mr Goraj and spent several minutes and found nothing. You might consider calling the factory. If he is still alive a letter from him might be a valuable addition to the gun.

If you have bought the gun you have the option of
1) keep it as is.
2) Send it in and have the sideplate replaced
3) Buff the markings off and do without the trademark.
4) Get the gun engraved and let the engraver remove those markings. (I like this idea)

I have a rifle owned originally by Mike Walker who headed up the design team at Remington when the model 700 was developed. It is a first year 700BDL gun and first year for the 7mm mag. I have his letter saying that the scope was hand selected for him by the marketing manager of Leupold.

If you like the idea of owning a presentation gun you might spring for a factory letter.

 

[Mike I]

I googled Mr Goraj and spent several minutes and found nothing. You might consider calling the factory. If he is still alive a letter from him might be a valuable addition to the gun.

If you have bought the gun you have the option of
1) keep it as is.
2) Send it in and have the sideplate replaced
3) Buff the markings off and do without the trademark.
4) Get the gun engraved and let the engraver remove those markings. (I like this idea)

I have a rifle owned originally by Mike Walker who headed up the design team at Remington when the model 700 was developed. It is a first year 700BDL gun and first year for the 7mm mag. I have his letter saying that the scope was hand selected for him by the marketing manager of Leupold.

If you like the idea of owning a presentation gun you might spring for a factory letter.

Good idea, thanks.

Mike I

 

[Mike I]

Mike, why don't you call the factory and ask to speak to Roy Jinks? The gun probably is what it is but if you want to know more, I imagine Mr. Jinks would have known this fellow if he worked at an important position at S&W. I doubt the etching adds any value to the gun since it apparently meant little to Goraj or any members of his family. To me, it would detract from value, but that might not be the case to the right collector.

Called, but Mr. Jinks is out of the office, will call again next week. Thanks for the lead.

Mike I