General S&W Question

[squid8286]

I have noticed a few of the revolvers that I have seen on Gunbroker recently have something on the lettering that is gold-colored to make it stand out more. Seems like I have seen a few like that over the years at gun shows, but I can't be sure. Most of the ones I have seen are Model 29-2s. While I think it makes the gun a little more attractive, most of the sellers acknowledge that it isn't something that is done at the factory. Can anybody tell me who would have added this cosmetic feature? Does it add or detract from the value of the gun? If I was buying one, I don't think it would make me pay any extra for it personally, but it wouldn't really make it worth less, either.

 

[Rpg]

The gold lettering isn’t a factory option. I believe it is an an aftermarket embellishment.

I don’t find it unattractive but I’d prefer an unmodified example.

 

[Muley Gil]

Bonanza Gold, sold by Brownells.

 

[Hondo44]

Don’t turn down a gun you want to buy because of the gold. It’s easily removable.

 

[squid8286]

Thanks for the info. I kind of like the way it looks. But...None of the Smith revolvers I have have it on them, and I won't be taking the time to add it! I'm glad to know it is removable if by chance I ever get one with it on there. Thanks, folks.

 

[Retired W4]

I don't know about Bonanza Gold but most anything people use in the lettering can be removed with acetone.

 

[Truckman]

Don’t turn down a gun you want to buy because of the gold. It’s easily removable.

Acetone (or nail polish remover) on a rag wipes it off with no effect to any finish...It's also easily replaced, touched up or added to any lettering......Ben

 

[wetdog]

Here's the kit.

 

[Old cop]

There are also China Marking Pens in various colors that work pretty well.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Actually, S&W does manufacture and sell handguns with the "gold" lettering. However, it's usually on commemorative models. For example, my 1973 Texas Ranger Commemorative Model 19-3. The "gold" lettering on mine was wearing thin, so I purchased a Forster Products Bonanza Gold Kit from Brownell's (it's actually bronze powder, not gold). After removing the old "gold" lettering with acetone, I applied the kit material to my revolver. Easy DIY project and turns out great. As other have stated, the lettering can easily be removed with acetone and an old toothbrush if you don't care for it.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Do not overlook the fact that it might also be shoe polish, which is equally easy to remove. When our Highway Patrol first got Model 66s in the mid-70s, they were engraved at the factory with the Patrol emblem and a few troopers used white shoe polish to make the emblem more visible. One friend got gold colored shoe polish and filled in the roll marks on his Model 29-2. There were two things about this I never understood. First, why do it at all. Second, who used gold shoe polish? It was the 70s, but still.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

And here I was contemplating getting some Krylon plastic spray paint in FDE and olive green and spraying a camo job on my Ruger 10-22 take down.

 

[rct269]

As has already been made abundantly clear, this material is an embellishment applied by either the factory or an owner----and you can remove it in a heart beat if you don't like it. It will also come off in a heart beat whether you like it or not!!

I am not a fan of commemorative guns, but I bought a couple----thinking they were special----and if nobody else thought they were special, they should have---according to ME!

The couple I bought were the two S&W 125th Anniversary models---the low rent version, and the high rent version. The low rent version had a "gold" filled logo of some sort. The high rent version was Class A engraved----and I don't remember if there was any "gold" involved or not.

During the course of my ownership I had occasion to clean the low rent version---wipe it off with some Hoppes #9, and polish it. The "gold" came right off along with the smudges I wanted to come off. Okay, so much for the low rent version.

The high rent version deserved better. There was no "gold" to begin with as I recall----just CLASS A engraving---and there were only 50 of them----so they were special----right? Well, I was younger and dumber at the time, and I thought so. (If you pay close attention from here on out, you're going to learn about the phrase "Live and learn".)

A not all that close examination of the CLASS A engraving left me with the impression it'd been done with power tools-----and in a BIG hurry!

Not too long after all this came my lesson in fishing tackle. If you ask around, most folks will tell you fishing tackle is made to catch fish----not so! Fishing tackle is made to sell to fishermen. So too are commemoratives made to sell to folks who think whatever the topic is worth remembering-----and those folks are in for a RUDE awakening if/when they try to sell them!!

So it is written---by ME!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[handejector]

It increases the value of a gun. It says so right on the box-

Do they sell it by the gallon?
Asking for a friend.


I hate the stuff. Look up 'tacky' in the dictionary, and there will probably be a pic of it.
But, to each his own. I have acetone if I buy a gun that has it.

 

[bgrafsr]

I don't know about Bonanza Gold but most anything people use in the lettering can be removed with acetone.

I bought a factory engraved Colt SAA and the previous owner gold filled the engraving. I didn't like it, so removed the filling with Acetone and gun cleaner. Looks much better now.
I would post pictures of the gun, but I don't want to get in trouble doing so.

 

[torizus]

Don't pass up a buy because of the gold inlay.
Don't pay a premium because of the gold inlay.

If it becomes an issue, let me know. I'll send you a picture of my wife,
just pass it within 6" of the inlay and the gold will instantly jump right to the picture.
No residue, totally cleaned out....zilch, nad left.

 

[steelslaver]

You can do it using any color enamel paint. Wipe over letters making sure they fill then wipe across the with a cotton rag removing any paint not in the lettering. Clean up with Q tip. To remove just soak with acetone which will not hurt the finish but soften and dissolve the paint. I have a 12nd model 455 that came to me with white paint in marking, it doesn't bother me.

 

[cruiserdan]

Automotive brush touch-up paint works too. It is very easy to remove as well.

 

[Model19man]

That kit from Brownells is one possibility. I've seen a crayon - like device too. And of course the commemoratives from S&W is a possibility. While I was not a fan of the gold my Smith Model 25-3 is a great shooter for the price.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I have noticed a few of the revolvers that I have seen on Gunbroker recently have something on the lettering that is gold-colored to make it stand out more. Seems like I have seen a few like that over the years at gun shows, but I can't be sure ...

Very popular thing in the 1960s

 

[bdGreen]

Done by the factory.
Special order.

Roy says so. So there.

enjoy,

bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

 

[StrawHat]

Car wax filled into the stamping will dry white.

Kevin

 

[Truckman]

Some years back I bought a "lacquer stick" (really a crayon) for this purpose...It's still in my toolbox in a baggie, and I believe might be available on Amazon in various colors (mine is gold)...It also wipes right off with acetone......Ben