Not worth $100

[RWPBR]

"Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances"

 

[delcrossv]

An advantage of SWCA membership

Have a "rare" configuration Ladysmith that I asked Roy for a shipping date on and I got the four words you don't want to hear:

"Open on the books".

See? Saved $100!

 

[jughed440]

I have lettered several revolvers.. the first being a 3" 66-4, primarily to get a production count (back when a letter cost $50). The precise production count of the "Ashland" 66-2s was given, along with a very vague number of all other 3" 66s combined. A letter is not worth the gamble if you want a production number.

On the other hand, I have lettered 2 revolvers solely for confirmation of being shipped to where I was told they were shipped to. Both were, and knowing that is well worth the money spent. And if they were not, it's still nice to know where they were sent to. One of the letters even included how many were sent in that shipment. I wasn't expecting that pleasant surprise.

My take...
Letter it if you need to know where it was shipped..
$100 gamble if you need to know how many were produced.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I found a Webley Wilkinson Model 1900 Self Extracting Revolver in a pawn shop eons ago. In my researching of the gun I sent off to Wilkinson Sword for info. They sent my a copy of the ledger where it was purchased in July 1904 by a 2nd Lt E.A.Osbourne of the Royal Engineers. I have since been able to find out most of his service history. He fought in both World Wars, received a DSO on 31 October 1914, he rose through the ranks, was involved in the Dunkirk evacuation and eventually became the commandant of the Royal Corps of Signals School. He had twin sons but I don’t know what became of them. Sometimes you get lucky with a letter. Not my revolver, mine has been shaved and reblued unfortunately but that’s what they look like.

 

[JSR III]

Well as a few have pointed out, this thread is a perfect explanation of why a S&W collector should consider joining the S&WCA and the S&WHF. For mere pennies per day you are exposed to some of the premier S&W collectors on the planet. In addition, with access to the S&WCA section of the forum, you gain access to Roy Jinks in the "Ask Roy Jinks" section and again in the "Shipping Date Forum".

Getting him to answer your questions about your gun are self explanatory, getting him to give you the shipping date and adding those lovely words, "I'd letter that one", are definitely worth the price of admission.

While it is true that not every gun is going to letter as having shipped to one of the Wesson's or some famous shooter, it is nice to know that the gun you are holding shipped the same way as it appears today in your hand. In addition, even if the gun is now changed, sometimes those repair or change records are available from the S&WHF and add to the guns history. You then get to ponder why did some owner 50 years ago decide that a 4" barrel was better than the shipped 6" barrel.

For many collectors, the background story can make the gun more interesting and bring it to life.

 

[GWW]

Rather than bashing the letter or its author, I would guess that if you had returned the letter with an explanation about etching versus stamping, that Roy would have gladly corrected the letter to your liking. Even with all that Roy knows he cannot possibly remember every detail about every firearm that the factory ever produced and especially those of limited production and perhaps appeal. I have been collecting S&W's for about 50 years and have never heard of this particular gun. It maters to you because you have an affinity to NC and perhaps to the State Police.

Also remember one thing, just having any letter signed by Dr. Roy Jinks (his autograph) regardless of the contents is most likely worth the price that you paid.

^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS!

Two things I would have done differently;
1. Contact S&W AND asked here on the forum what I could expect in a letter BEFORE requesting one.
2. If unhappy with what I got, I would have contact Roy and spoke to him about it FIRST.

Instead you blindly plunked your money down with "your" expectations in mind, then when you didn't get what you expected you chose to come here and complain "Not worth $100" instead of first contacting Roy. And you expect to gain what from your story here?

If you had contacted Roy and talked to him about the letter, I'd bet you'd be here posting an entirely different tune right now, but you didn't do that. I met the man, he is a true gentleman with a passion all things S&W, you really should have contacted him first sir. Myself, I find your actions, well I just stop right here, I think you get where I stand.

Planning on sending for any letters in the future?

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I bought this from a gun shop years ago. The dealer told me he sold it 3 times after buying it from the man that had originally brought it in. It was and still is brand new in the original box. I noticed right away it was rare. How many 22/32 Airweights have you seen. I sent for a factory letter. A couple of days later, I got a call from (Dr.) Roy Jinks. Turns out it shipped to Daniel Wesson Smith & Wesson Plant Superintendent. I'm glad the previous owners never bothers to letter this revolver. I paid $375.00 OTD. I've turned down a lot more for it since then.

 

[hkcavalier]

I had a Rossi revolver lettered a few years back for $75. All it said was they thought it was shipped to a guy named Lenny.

Is...is this a Stephen Wright joke?

 

[John Fugate]

I received my letter from the S&W Historical Foundation today, that I requested on my Model 29 NCHP 50th Anniversary Commemorative. I must say, I'm disappointed in the information included in the letter, most of which had nothing to do with my particular revolver. The first paragraph was a quick history of the first police commemorative, for the Texas Ranger 150th Anniversary. The second paragraph told about other police commemoratives and specified the Ohio State Patrol, and how police commemoratives became popular.

The information on my specific revolver is very basic, and I've learned more about it from the Standard Catalog and general S&W forum members than was included in the letter, some of which is incorrect and/or incomplete. For instance, the letter states the NCHP "logo" which is actually the Trooper's Shield, is, and I quote "stamped" on the side plate, along with the anniversary markings on the barrel. Just to look at the markings, one can tell they are not stamped, but etched, and I have learned they were acid etched at that. I did get a specific number of how many revolvers were purchased for the series, and the shipping date of my revolver. There is no information on the rarity or collector value, which I had hoped there would be at least an estimate based on ANIB condition and unfired. I had also hoped for some statement regarding the process used to etch my revolver and those others in the series, and why that process was chosen over roll stamping, which it seems the majority, if not all other commemoratives used.

I can only hope that this letter, when included with the revolver and presentation case, will increase the value of the package by $100 if it is ever sold.

I gave 5.90 for a large dipped cone at Dairy Queen last night. Your 100 dollar letter somehow doesn’t seem like such a bad deal anymore.

 

[vintagesmith]

One of the biggest reasons to join the SWCA is the access to Roy during our symposiums. Most of the time he sits at his table and is accessible to members to discuss whatever they or Roy may want. I love doing this as he has so much knowledge not just on the guns but the history of S&W. Some of his inside knowledge is very interesting.

 

[Triplelocker72]

I just downloaded the form to get my 5inch triple lock authenticated..I know it's been re-nickeled but I want to see if it was originally nickel or blue...has 4stars on the gun in different locations and a date on the left side grip frame of 1/25/68with a star

 

[lihpster]

I had a Rossi revolver lettered a few years back for $75. All it said was they thought it was shipped to a guy named Lenny.

Squiggy was a Colt man.

 

[kbm6893]

I’m waiting on another letter for a 6946. It is marked “will fire with magazine removed” so I figured it went to a PD. I asked Roy for shipping date and if it shipped to a PD. He replied it did not ship to a PD but it’s worth a letter. That was enough for me. Cost me $75 since I’m a member of the SWCA. I’m anxiously awaiting the letter. I waste more money on dumber things than some history on a never be made again firearm.

 

[mrcvs]

Look inside the shroud. Sometimes you will see a “B” for blued or “N” for nickeled.

 

[kwill1911]

Here's an example of a modern gun that many people passed over because of the bogus looking marking. AFAIK, no Navy gun has ever been marked this way, especially considering it was done on the side plate.

But, check the letter.

A heretofore unknown shipment to the Navy SEALs. Did the letter add any value?

 

[Ruger 13]

To quote Humphrey Bogart in the African Queen……..”You pays yer money, you takes yer chance”!

 

[delcrossv]

...and sometimes a letter confirms what one expected. Worth it? In this case , most likely.