ID Help, Please

[Hondo44]

DWalt,

I believe you're referring to what's also been described as the 'sandblast brush blue'. And refers to a service model finish.

'Satin blue' is different due to just a lesser polish before bluing used on pre ~ 1955 post war coml models and post war factory refinishes.

 

[Camster]

I like it.
However given the concern over the USA stamp, my eye is looking for other things that might not jive. The "Wesson" on the left side of the barrel looks a little washed out to me.Perhaps just the way that it was applied,but....

 

[Hondo44]

Jim:
Just a detail question: if this was a factory refinish, obviously these wouldn't be the original stocks. Would a factory refurbishment have included providing replacement stocks period-correct for the gun and maybe serial-stamping them? As we know from the four-line inflicted on older M&P's during factory re-work, authenticity wasn't exactly a priority ...

It's hard to say firmly what would have been done. The correct pre war grips were used after the war as NOS stocks were used up. If the stocks are numbered or not will tell us something.

 

[Hondo44]

I like it.
However given the concern over the USA stamp, my eye is looking for other things that might not jive. The "Wesson" on the left side of the barrel looks a little washed out to me.Perhaps just the way that it was applied,but....

I don't have a lot of concern about the missing M I USA stamp; it's reported on this model of this vintage, even more so on the target models.

 

[gmborkovic]

Lets be honest, if Tom loves it, who cares. Its a nice looking gun and will be a great shooter. I like it, getting hard to find. So there. Mike

 

[shouldazagged]

Whatever the story on that nice revolver might be, I'd be proud to own it and happy to shoot it. A lot.

 

[Absalom]

Lets be honest, if Tom loves it, who cares.....

Are you trying to disparage our way to keep ourselves entertained on weekends?

Joking aside, it comes down to the price. For a realistic used-shooter price, say below 350, I'd roll the dice on that gun anytime. On the other hand, with authenticity confirmed the gun in that condition could easily be 6-700 or more, and if the seller should envision that price level, the hard questions need to be answered.

 

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Serial Number

The serial number of this piece is 883759

 

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Update

Well, I made the leap and purchased this piece from Cabela's Gun Library. If you don't count my hour drive in both directions, and include the tax, it cost me just north of $600.

Now that I actually have this revolver in my hands, I can provide some additional information -- along with an opinion and question or two.

First of all, attached are a couple of shots of the grips. The serial number of the revolver is stamped inside the right grip, but I don't have enough experience to opine whether the stamping is original, legitimately added later, or simply bogus.

Also attached are images of both sides of the grip frames, with the grips removed. I don't see any date stampings.

Also attached is a photo of the serial number from the bottom of the barrel. What does the "S" signify? Note that a similar "S" also appears stamped on the bottom of the right grip frame.

I have also confirmed that the serial numbers matched in all five locations spelled out by Hondo44.

To my uneducated eye, the bluing appears to have been redone. Evidence is the weakness on the right side of the S&W logo, and also the letters at the beginning and end of the "SMITH & WESSON" on the left side of the barrel. There is no dishing or other indication that there was ever a "MADE IN USA" marking on the right side of the frame. There is also no import mark that I can see.

That's all I can think of at the moment -- thanks for all your help. Great board!

Tom

P.S. Just a posting question. Instead of attaching images, how can I embed them in the posting text -- as some of you have? Thanks.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The grips number to the gun, at least, to the SN under the barrel. The 88 is left and below the other numbers and the 3 is separated from 759.

There are 3 ways to insert images in the text. See the Insert Image icon on the command line? It is the yellow square with mountains and a moon. You upload your image to a hosting site like Imgur, copy the image's URL, put your cursor in the text box where you want the image to show, then click the Insert IMG icon, paste the copied URL into the box and insert. Most hosting sites make it even easier by inserting the BB Code into the URL so you don't have to click on the icon, you just paste the whole thing. Another way is to become a Contributing Member or SWCA member and you will be given an album here to upload to. It works the same way I just mentioned. The third way is to upload your pictures as attachments, as you've been doing. Then right click on the image and click "Copy Image Location". Then, use the insert image feature and paste the image location into the box and insert. If you use the last way, the image is displayed in the text and as an attachment.

 

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Inserting Images

Thanks for the quick tutorial, Wiregrassguy. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but I don't see "Command Line" -- do I need to chose some option in order for it to appear?

 

[Absalom]

Some of us, including me, much prefer the picture attached instead of inserted

The number stamping on the grip panel looks perfectly authentic and just as non-linear as the numbers were stamped at the time.

The S in those locations has something to do with the factory inspection or re-inspection process, I seem to remember.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The command line I'm talking about is the row of icons above the text box.

Guy

 

[handejector]

The large S's were applied by the Service Dept. Might be one on the cyl under the extractor.

They were put on when the Factory reblued the gun-
-Center sideplate screw hole is dished.
-Logo is weak.
-N in Smith & Wesson on barrel is weak.
-Rebound stud is not flat, but appears less domed than normal.
-Front sight- is that pitting on the left, or is it sandblasted on the sides? Can you post pics of the front sight please?
-Bottom of butt has rounded edges.
-Made in USA was buffed off. Look how high the front screw sits.

When did they stop stamping "Reg US Pat" on the hammers and triggers? This gun seems early not to have it, but I'm not sure exactly when they stopped.

Finally, the color and texture are wrong for a Pre War gun.

Some GI came home from the War, and found the gun he had left holstered and loaded for his wife had rusted cause she hid it under the sink!

 

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Inserting Images

Guy - Attached is a screen shot of what I see -- no icons?

 

[Absalom]

The large S's were applied by the Service Dept. Might be one on the cyl under the extractor.

They were put on when the Factory reblued the gun-
..........
When did they stop stamping "Reg US Pat" on the hammers and triggers? This gun seems early not to have it, but I'm not sure exactly when they stopped.
....

So would a factory re-blue without a stamp and including the removal of the MADE IN USA be conceivable?

The patent stamp is a toss-up for that serial. My 767- from May 1941 still has it, my 910- from Jan. 1942 doesn't, so it must have been phased out sometime in later 1941.

 

[Hondo44]

• " REG.U.S.PAT.OFF." stamp ordered in June 1926 on Hammer and trigger, K & N frames ( I frames also since they have also been observed); not a patent notice on mechanical design, but for the color case hardening process.

From what I can find in the books, the stamp deletion transitioned during early WW II production.

 

[handejector]

The large S's were applied by the Service Dept. Might be one on the cyl under the extractor.

They were put on when the Factory reblued the gun-
-Center sideplate screw hole is dished.
-Logo is weak.
-N in Smith & Wesson on barrel is weak.
-Rebound stud is not flat, but appears less domed than normal.
-Front sight- is that pitting on the left, or is it sandblasted on the sides? Can you post pics of the front sight please?
-Bottom of butt has rounded edges.
-Made in USA was buffed off. Look how high the front screw sits.

Another possibility occured to me for the S's on this gun-

I remember reading in Pate that the wartime production was so rushed, there was a very high rejection rate. Early in production it was as high as 30% on some days! Pate, Page 128
Perhaps the S's stamped on this gun indicate service done before it ever shipped.
I still believe it is reblued. I'm just saying the S's may NOT relate to that.

 

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Front Sight Images

Here you go, handejector.

 

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Should I spring for a letter?

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...

TIA,

Tom