Lettering Question

[Saxman]

I have a 1937 vintage .38/44 Heavy Duty and am considering obtaining a letter on it. What type of information is provided in the letter. Is it benificial to have one or is it basically something that says that you have an authentic S&W product?

Thank for the info in advance!

 

[Saxman]

I have a 1937 vintage .38/44 Heavy Duty and am considering obtaining a letter on it. What type of information is provided in the letter. Is it benificial to have one or is it basically something that says that you have an authentic S&W product?

Thank for the info in advance!

 

[opoefc]

Steve. The $30 cost of a letter is the biggest bargain around. The letter will add that much and more to any S&W's value, however be sure to describe the gun completely with the request for a letter - I mean COMPLETELY! Describe every marking & stamping and where on the gun they are located, especially any stampings UNDER the grips on the grip frame and whatever is stamped on the backside of the right grip panel, if anything. Measure all dimensions and indicate type of finish & type of sights (service style or target). Send good photos if possible. The better you describe the gun, the better the letter will be. It will tell you where the gun was shipped, the date, and any special features the shipment included, plus a general history of how the particular model came to be in the S&W inventory. Good Luck, Ed.

 

[Pistol Toter]

The letter will come with some general information about the particular model with the ship date, who it was shipped to and the configuration when shipped, ie barrel length, stocks, finish .... Now if there was something extra special about the gun as to whom it was shipped to that would also be on there. I have systematically lettered all my S&W's, it only cost $30's per gun. To date, I don't have anything of a spectacular nature, but it's fun and after all it's a hobby. For a fellow who doesn't drink, smoke, gamble, chase women, etc you gotta have some sort of a vice it might as well be S&W's. P.T.

 

[Saxman]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll give it a try and see what I get.

What I'd really like to find out is if this particular .38/44 HD was factory reblued at some point in its like. I just bought this piece and I question it because it is so nice. There is bluing wear on the muzzle, on the sides of the receiver where the barrel screws in, a patch on the bottom of the trigger guard and the front of the cylinder edges. This wear is for the most part slight and isn't really noticeable until you really examine the piece. If this was reblued it was done a long time ago by someone who knew what he was doing. The only reason I question it is that the bluing is in such good condition. The color looks right for S&W too.

I have examined all the markings with an eye loupe and with one slight exception see no indications of possible polishing or re-stamping. The exception is in the "MADE IN U.S.A." stamping on the lower right front of the receiver. The very top of the "A" in "MADE" is not as deep as the "A" in "U.S.A.". Could this always have been so? I was hoping that if the gun was back to the factory that a letter would verify that. The price I paid for the piece would not be indicitave of a reblue.

 

[FPrice]

I was hoping that if the gun was back to the factory that a letter would verify that.

I guess that if the records Roy has have that information, you will get it. That was the case with one of my lettered guns. From what I have heard, others have not gotten this information even though the gun appears to have been returned to the factory.

At the worst, you get some general information about the model line and at least where your gun was shipped. At best, you learn something very intersting about your gun's background that may just make it a little more unique.

My advice is to try and see what you get.

 

[smith17]

Steve:
Roy has to look in a different place to check on factory returns and even then, he has to have the name of the returner and maybe date. A regular letter will not indicate returns for additional work/refinishing. If the factory did it, they will most likely have stamped a month and year on the lower grip frame underneath the left stock. Feb. 1948 would be 2.48 A gun like that has the chance of having been shipped to a law enforcer. Good luck.
Ed

 

[Saxman]

Thanks Ed,

I thought that they would mark it with an asterice or an R appended to the S/N. I'll look under the grip as I wasn't looking for that type marking. This may not have been refinished; but, as I said it looks good enough that I am questioning it!

 

[Doc44]

Steve....If the revolver was reblued, S&W normally stamped R-B or R-Bi inside of a rectangle on the left side of the grip frame. This stamping would be in addition to the date mentioned by Ed.

Factory rework may also be indicated by a star stamped in one of several locations, but often refers to repair or part replacement and not refinishing.

Bill

 

[Art Doc]

Most of the letters I have gotten provide little interesting info. One did confirm a federal agency connection and one showed shipment to a campus police department which I found fun, but otherwise most of the time it's not all that informative.

Having said that, I have still lettered about 25 of my revolvers. You always hope something really interesting turn up but don't count on it.

One complaint I have had is that frequently details on original configuration aren't provided. Also, I have several letters with mis-spelled city names (Haywood, CA?). Finally, no info is available on factory service work. One of my guns apparently had the frame (or the entire gun) replaced and Roy had no idea on that.

 

[feralmerril]

Saxman, I just posted the last page of a letter on a triplelock. 1st page is generatic as someone said, last page pertains to your particular gun. Look on the thread questions on a regesterd magnum, and you can see the letter I just posted. It came out small on the scanner as I dont know what I am doing!

 

[Saxman]

Thanks for all the info guys! I am going to go ahead and get the letter and see what I get.

I have decided that unless the letter or someone can show me positive proof that the piece was reblued I am calling it the original finish. It has none of the markings mentioned by you guys. There is no indication of polishing or restamping and the color is right for S&W. The finish does have some minor and acceptable holster wear. The action is also tight as a drum so I don't believe that it was ever fired much. I have had a friend examine it too and he comes to the same conclusion. It's just in such really good condition I was questioning it.

 

[bk43]

Steve...at one time I had convinced myself that I could easily tell refinished guns. I now realize that I have no clue. If it looks obviously refinished for some reason I call it that. If no obvious signs I call it original and move on. Makes my life easier.

A pre-war HD in the shape you describe is a nice find.

Bob