Question on Frame Marking

[Vettepartz]

I have a 4" pre-29 with 5 screws. Under the grips, the frame is stamped with a "R-Bi" inside a rectangle. I think this means it was re-blued by the factory in a blue finish. What does the 'i' stand for?

 

[DARE]

Have seen that stamp before. A couple of fairly recent threads. Think it means refinish, bright blue. I love early .44 Magnums. Please show some more pictures of yours. Here is my 4-inch that shipped in December 1956. Do you have a ship date for yours?

 

[SS336]

Maybe refinish Bright blue April 1974.
beautiful .44 magnum Dare.

 

[VM]

Quick search and Bill has answer in post #19

Post in thread 'Frank Baughman's Registered Magnum Prototype--Added photos post 16'

Jul 10, 2025

R-Bi is the stamp indicating the revolver was received into the factory from customer service. I had a prototype Model 629 in my collection with the same stamp and that is what Roy Jinks told me the stamp meant when I asked him about it.

Bill

• Doc44

• 

 

[Vettepartz]

It seems to me that 'Bright Blue' would be stamped with 'BB'. Oh well, who am I to question anyone when it comes to acronyms. Here's a picture, Dare. Shipped in Feb 1957.

 

[Doc44]

I don't know what was done to your 44 Magnum, but I can say the rear sight windage adjustment screw has been replaced possibly indicating the white outline was replaced. The original screw has a flat head, not crowned. Bright blue refinishes were often marked by a B followed by a diamond.

Bill

 

[Alk8944]

The R-BL indicates the gun was re-finished in bright blue. Standard blue would be indicates as R-S for re-finish standard blue. A Nickel re-finish would be indicated by R-N. The 4-74 on the front strap indicates the re-finish was done in April, 1974.

There may have been other work done at the same time. Just the date stamp with no re-finish indicator means only other repairs were performed, but there is nothing to indicate what that work would have been, simply that factory repair of some type was done.

VM misunderstood what Roy Jinks told him.

 

[VM]

The R-BL indicates the gun was re-finished in bright blue. Standard blue would be indicates as R-S for re-finish standard blue. A Nickel re-finish would be indicated by R-N. The 4-74 on the front strap indicates the re-finish was done in April, 1974.

There may have been other work done at the same time. Just the date stamp with no re-finish indicator means only other repairs were performed, but there is nothing to indicate what that work would have been, simply that factory repair of some type was done.

VM misunderstood what Roy Jinks told him.

VM didn’t talk to Roy. I am quoting Bill Cross that spoke with Roy.
And the stamp we are discussing is:
R-Bi

 

[Vettepartz]

Would a factory letter tell what was done in 1974, or would a 'deep dive' tell what was repaired?