ID Help, Please

[Absalom]

What do you think -- will a letter reveal anything of interest? I hate to fork out $75 just to learn an approximate manufacture date.

Opinions, please...
....

That depends on your level of curiosity

The exact ship date (that's what you get; we don't have dates of manufacture) is actually secondary, since we know that (with reasonable certainty at least) within a few months. The destination of the gun would be the more pertinent piece of information for me; at that time and with the lanyard swivel, it's unlikely to be just a boring distributor, which can happen with peace-time letters. But there are never any guarantees with a letter (unless you're just confirming what you already know from other evidence, which we don't have here).

I would definitely letter the gun to find out where it shipped, but I may not be the one to ask since I have a special interest in that period.

 

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Thanks

Thanks, Absalom - input appreciated.

 

[chiefdave]

I have s/n 883438 which is identical to the OP's revolver except the "MADE IN USA" is present. Also has the large S stamped on the heel of the grip frame.Close enough that they could be from the same contract. Gave $475 all in. Letter has been requested and will share when it arrives.