"Pinto" Question

[rusty37874]

In lieu of a Factory Letter, Is there any "Quick Reference" way to determine if a two tone "Pinto", is factory done?--Thanks for any information rendered.--- I know boxes can (& are) fabricated, what would a factory box for a pinto indicate on it.

 

[rusty37874]

Maybe I posted this in the wrong category. If so, Mod.-- please place properly.

Nobody has any information on how to determine a factory produced two tone? ( J Frame)

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Ask for someone here to give you the year of manufacture from the s/n. Then, go to the appropriate board with that information and some good sharp photos of the gun, its markings, and the box, and see what happens. Getting a copy of the 3rd edition of the Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson would help with this, but many guys who post here, especially on the collector boards, have them.

 

[V-35]

'Pinto'

The nickeled bbl. & cyl should have a 'N' factory stamped on them IIRC.

Art

 

[VM]

A factory letter is best but as others have stated and added things that will help .......

- the "N" stamp on nickel componets
-serial numbers on components
-knowing the seller and history of gun

Here is my original Factory Model 36 with the original box. I bought it from a friend of mine.
The box has "BN" for finish (blue/nickel)

 

[rusty37874]

VM--Are the screws on your Pinto Nickel?, It appears from the photo, the barrel pin is nickel, Also, under the left grip what are the markings?---Thanks

 

[VM]

VM--Are the screws on your Pinto Nickel?, It appears from the photo, the barrel pin is nickel, Also, under the left grip what are the markings?---Thanks

rusty - the barrel pin and sideplate screws are all nickel.
There are no special marks on the grip frame - same inspector marks you'd see on any other blue model 36

 

[sw282]

si--------

 

[handejector]

NO way to tell for sure till you letter the gun.
Yes, I saw the advice about look for the N's.
Won't guarantee anything.
Any orig nickel part could have an N.

In the 70's, a guy sent two NIB Mod 19's back to the factory. One blue, one nickel.
He had them swap barrels and cyl's on the two guns.
Would they look correct? Yes.
Would they letter?