Need advice from collectors on a factory screw up 629-4 with NO laser engraving

[snuffy smif]

Several years back, I purchased a 629-4 classic with 6 1/2 bbl at a local dealer S&W factory sale that is devoid of external markings - no barrel or frame laser engravings. The serial number is stamped in the normal location. The gun was in the factory blue box with all correct info. I had the dealer and the S&W FLA rep who attended the sale (Mike Dozier at the time) sign an afidavit that the gun left the factory in this condition. I called Roy Jenks to confirm shipping date and queried him on any possible collector value due to the factory screw up. Roy verified the serial number was legit and the gun shipped a little over a month before I bought it. Roy opined that the gun has no collector value and suggested that I return it to the factory for laser engraving. I didn't take his advice. The following year I was talking to Mel Oganowski, performance center gunsmith who attended the local factory sale that year, about the gun and the possibility of getting a trigger job done on it. Mel had me bring it in for inspection because he was aware of some bogus guns being built up from parts. Mel confirmed that indeed it was a factory Smith. He suggested that I not have a trigger job done on the gun until I determined whether I wanted to shoot the gun or leave it as is. I took his advice.

Even though I have owned scores of Smiths over the years, I am not a serious collector.

Is there a segment of the Smith collecting community that collects factory screw ups?

Does this gun have any collector value or should I send it back for factory markings and shoot it?

 

[snuffy smif]

Several years back, I purchased a 629-4 classic with 6 1/2 bbl at a local dealer S&W factory sale that is devoid of external markings - no barrel or frame laser engravings. The serial number is stamped in the normal location. The gun was in the factory blue box with all correct info. I had the dealer and the S&W FLA rep who attended the sale (Mike Dozier at the time) sign an afidavit that the gun left the factory in this condition. I called Roy Jenks to confirm shipping date and queried him on any possible collector value due to the factory screw up. Roy verified the serial number was legit and the gun shipped a little over a month before I bought it. Roy opined that the gun has no collector value and suggested that I return it to the factory for laser engraving. I didn't take his advice. The following year I was talking to Mel Oganowski, performance center gunsmith who attended the local factory sale that year, about the gun and the possibility of getting a trigger job done on it. Mel had me bring it in for inspection because he was aware of some bogus guns being built up from parts. Mel confirmed that indeed it was a factory Smith. He suggested that I not have a trigger job done on the gun until I determined whether I wanted to shoot the gun or leave it as is. I took his advice.

Even though I have owned scores of Smiths over the years, I am not a serious collector.

Is there a segment of the Smith collecting community that collects factory screw ups?

Does this gun have any collector value or should I send it back for factory markings and shoot it?

 

[Wickahoney]

If there is a segment of the collecting field that pays a premium for this or any other mismarked gun, it'll be a very very small sub set of collectors.

There have been various guns and batches of guns, mismarked 1955 25-2s marked 1950 etc over the years. There are also ones that show up with the wrong model number in the crane or...........

To me at least I'd just shoot it. Whether you have them engrave it or not of course is up to you.

Smith and Wesson makes lots and lots of revolvers in a production facility. I suspect that mismarked, unmarked, incorrectly marked guns aren't really all that rare.

Of course it could be I'm just not sophisticated a collector and don't understand it's true value? What it boils down to is all it takes is a willing seller and a willing buyer, there might be a buyer.

RWT

 

[snuffy smif]

Thanks and have a great 2009.
Snuffy

 

[44wheelman]

I think a small increase in value, perhaps $50 to someone who appreciates it as a novelty, or just despises the modern laser engraving.
Kinda like my mountain gun...I know what it is, S&W didn't have to mark up the barrel in huge text to announce it, or that gold Thunder Ranch seal. Yea, I'd pay extra to have those things not on my gun.

 

[snuffy smif]

Thanks. I think I will just shoot it as is and enjoy it. I guess there is no legal concern with no external markings since the serial number is on it and I have a letter stating it came from the factory that way.

 

[toroflow1]

I had a 651 no dash that did not have the address stamped in on the right side of the frame...when I asked about it here about a year ago everyone agreed it was no big deal. I would enjoy your 629 and not think of it as collectable.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Several of my high use stainless Smiths have the laser engraving that has all but disappeared from use. You have to hold them at a certain angle in the light to see it. No big deal.

 

[jspick]

Here's a thought.
Have it engraved fully and have the caliber and model part of the engraving.
You know you could have the S&W ensignia engraved the way and size you want it to be. I think it would be a great candidate for that. A gun free of factory markings. I like the idea.Just my thoughts.
John