Has anyone here ever sent a letter to S&W requesting

[riptrack44]

their firearm history? THESACA.ORG provides a template (I guess after October 15). What all is pertinent information they need and what can they supply? I've heard the cost has gone up. What's the usual turn-around time? I've read where a photo is necessary. Can or do they have any engraving information on revolvers 1975 to present? Thanks for any info.

 

[riptrack44]

their firearm history? THESACA.ORG provides a template (I guess after October 15). What all is pertinent information they need and what can they supply? I've heard the cost has gone up. What's the usual turn-around time? I've read where a photo is necessary. Can or do they have any engraving information on revolvers 1975 to present? Thanks for any info.

 

[prefer_wheelguns]

Hello Rip,

All your answers are available at the S&W web site: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/C...t/C...ectionId=10504

 

[bk43]

The letters are very nice, very "official" looking with seal and include a brief history of the model and then specific information on your gun such as when and where shipped and configuration. I have never sent a photo or outline and have never had any problems but you need to fill out the form completely. If your gun was factory engraved that should show up in the records and end up in your letter.

Bob

 

[opoefc]

riptrack44, The good news is that lots of us have sent letters to S&W requesting info on our gun's history, etc. You could download a form to do so from the Factory web site. Years ago these letters were free, then they were $5, then $20 and then $30. The bad news now is that new letter requests are currently suspended, pending getting the backlog of letter requests sent out. It is estimated that mid Oct. might the the renewal of letters, at the new fee of $50, but tht'a not guaranteed as yet.

 

[riptrack44]

Sounds like these letters are fairly (or should be) lucrative for S&W and poor ole Roy Jinks could use some extra help. You would think in this day of computers and databases, S&W could come up with some sort of letter template with the usual 'fill in the pertinent information' spaces provided. Halting this now costly (to the customer) "service" for months to "catch up" doesn't bode well regarding S&W's coordination and business skills. I guess I'm just a grumpy old man...

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Originally posted by riptrack44:
Sounds like these letters are fairly (or should be) lucrative for S&W and poor ole Roy Jinks could use some extra help. You would think in this day of computers and databases, S&W could come up with some sort of letter template with the usual 'fill in the pertinent information' spaces provided. Halting this now costly (to the customer) "service" for months to "catch up" doesn't bode well regarding S&W's coordination and business skills. I guess I'm just a grumpy old man...

Rip,

I can't imagine that the letter isn't produced on a computer. Nevertheless, the old records (most of us are not requesting letters on new guns) are not computerized. You might want to ask yourself how long it takes from receiving a request to actually mailing out a letter, and multiply that by a reasonable hourly rate for a man of Mr. Jinks' knowledge, talent and investment.

If all else fails, you could buy an old Colt, instead, and see how much a letter for that costs.

520

 

[Guest]

Just for information Roy works on "Letter" 7 days a week and the bulk of the information is on "Micro Film" which makes it pretty much a one man operation at this time. Later guns such as current production records are kept at the Factory and since he 'worked' from his home it means about a half day trip to the Factory for these later records. Also, most of the newer records don't 'record' all that much information. I wish I could afford a Factory Letter for all of my older Smith & Wessons but my Gun Budget doesn't always allow me doing so.

And, back to your original Question; the more information you send the more Roy can research and pictures are also very important. But, not a requirement.

 

[Doc44]

A factory letter written by Roy Jinks will provide an overall history of the model being lettered and is standard for all letters issued. The specifics about your particular gun (i.e. shipping date, barrel length/finish, date shipped and location, etc.) are stored in various locations (some records held by Roy, some by S&W) and the factory invoices for many guns are located at the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum in Springfield, MA. Once Roy determines the shipping date and location shipped (by serial number), he asks the staff at CVHM to manually pull the invoice and check the features of the gun and verify the shipping location. That is how the barrel length, finish, etc. are verified (or it is determined the gun is not original). When CVHM gets back to him, Roy completes the factory letter on his computer.

Guns made after computers were in use have records with much less information about features (so I am told) and Roy has to travel to Springfield to get what data there are.

All of this takes time and the $50 fee is still a bargain in my opinion.

In time, it is a goal of the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation to digitize the shipping records and the factory invoices. This may result in a more streamlined process, but will require a lot of time and money to complete. That is why all collectors should consider supporting the SWHF.

Bill

 

[riptrack44]

I certainly meant no disrespect to Mr. Jinks. I just feel if Roy is buried with requests, there should be a better way to ease his load and speed up the process. A "one man show" is not how most businesses work. What would happen if, God forbid, something happened to Roy?

 

[Doc44]

riptrack44...I did not read into any of your posts that you were disrespectful of Roy Jinks and hope my message did not imply you were. The difficulty is that Roy works from his home office most of the time and the records he uses are somewhat personalized and often not user friendly to those who are not familiar with them.

In time, I believe many of the questions you raised will be addressed, but the actual timeframe is unknown.

Bill