Interesting Factory Letter on my Pre 27

[spin132]

I understand the butt serial number is S78022.



What I’m asking for is the serial number that is stamped on the underside of the right side walnut stock such as pictured below…..

The stocks on the OP’s Pre-27 serial number S78022 do not appear to have the sharp shoulder at the top as pictured here on this other 1950 vintage Pre-27 with serial number matching stocks…..

Sorry about that, I misunderstood. Interesting though, I have one that also shipped in 1950. It does have sharp shoulder magnas that number to the revolver, but lacks the large washer. The one you show must have shipped earlier (much earlier serial number too).

Mike

 

[lestert357]

The one you show must have shipped earlier (much earlier serial number too).

Yes, it is a Reg Mag from 1939…..I just wanted to show the stamped serial number on the right side stock and I don’t have any Pre-27’s to picture. BTW, based on your picture of the butt it looks like your S79993 is a beauty!

 

[Mikebiker]

This is the inside of the grips now on the gun.

 

[handejector]

NICE!

The letter has arrived and it shows it was sold to General George Van Orden. While this was in a shipment of 55 guns it was the only one to show in the ledger as sent to General Van Orden by name. I was also told that while many other guns were sent to Evaluators none were marked to the General as this one is.

Are you sure? The invoice has his name for all 55 guns.
How could the Factory know which of the five 357s he would keep personally?
Did you get a list of all 55 serial numbers? Did the historian check other guns by number?

This was posted by RM Vivas on the colt forum concerning this gun.

I pondered that for quite a bit as I went through the records. What makes me take this gun out of the "inventory' category is that this particular gun is the only one that appears in the records with his name and rank rather than the business name.


I searched a great many Evaluator records from their inception to just after the date of this guns shipment and all the guns were tagged Evaluators; this was the only one listed under the Generals name rather than the company name.


Is that concrete? No. Is it strongly persuasive? Yup.


Best,
RM Vivas

Sorry, but I'm still not convinced.

Again- How could the Factory know which of the five 357s he would keep personally?

Also- How would the General know which of the 5 was booked out to him?

I think it is just a slip on probably the first gun by serial number on the list.
I would suggest asking Mike and Robert if they have the serial number list. It might shed more light on this. Or maybe a note or memo?

 

[jsfricks]

I was also told that while many other guns were sent to Evaluators none were marked to the General as this one is.

George O. Van Orden - Wikipedia


Anyone know Evaluators Limited Quantico ?

Original Post on this gun.

Need Some Help with a MFG Date for this PRE 27

I had a Pre model 15 that I sold a number of years ago that lettered as being shipped to General Van Orden at Evaluators Limited. Letter states it was 1 of 50. Probably the same 50 that is on your invoice. I’m thinking that this may have been more common than you think. It’s strange that this letter for the 50 38 Combat Masterpieces doesn’t have a ship date.

 

[rct269]

I'm wondering why none of mine had a letter noting the double action trigger pull weight?

Ralph Tremaine

 

[CMudrock]

It occurs to me, that as a major S&W client, perhaps the general mentioned that he would like to have a new one, set up a certain way - and received it as complimentary. this would not have been unusual, & no one deserved it more. Great man & story.

 

[long colt frazier]

My Transistional Mag letters to the S&W showroom and then nothing more. The "STORY" is the General was visiting Hellstrom and commented on how nice it was, it left with him;-)
The gun did end up at Evaluators.