question

[epd925]

Question for everyone hear. I'm looking at a 640 on a trade. It appears to by in excellent shape except for one small problem. The original owner had the idea to engrave his name and title on the right side behind the trigger guard.

My question is, is there anyways to fill this in or get rid of it?? I've never heard of anything like this, just curious. I haven't decided yet whether or not I want a gun with someone else's name on it. What do you guys think?

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I would give him 50 bucks for it, its not worth more than that to anyone. That would be what he would be offered in a trade with a dealer.

 

[tocohillsguy]

I suspect Bullseye's answer would be different if the person is famous, and you can authenticate it.

 

[bamabiker]

A friend recently bought a very nice M36 with box and goodies for $160. The only problem was someone had scratched their drivers license number on both sides and the front strap. He took some fine sand paper and removed the numbers. He is deciding now how to reblue the places. It will not look great but he bought it for a carry gun so it won't matter.
Too bad the previous owner did this. The gun is in excellent condition otherwise.
Went back and read your post again, you said engraved. Don't guess that will sand off. Is it just on the side plate? Could you change side plates?

 

[ken158]

It is a shame that some do not realize a serial number that is already there is more of an identifier than makeshift engraving. If it will not polish out it is worth no more than parts to me. Too many model 60's made to get crazy over one.

 

[VM]

The biggest question here is how much is the 640? What $$ amount is the current owner wanting in a trade value? Surely he knows that he is going to have to take a big cut with the engraving.
Personally, I wouldn't put more than $150 in to it.
A little elbow greese and emory cloth will remove the engraving.
It would be a cheap carry gun.

 

[flagman1776]

I just ran a search for the M640 on GB & see adverts 550 & up. I believe that side plates are fitted even on MIM guns. Even then, it would be a long time to find a replacement outside Springfield. You might call them. S&W lists the part as "factory installed only" but no price.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/other/RevPartsList_Retail.pdf (drawing #32)
I do not know how deep the engraving is & if it might be polished or buffed out.
Certainly this engraving has drastically cut it's value. To be safe, subtract the cost of factory replacement, FFL & shipping fees, something for your trouble...
Russ

 

[PMRet]

My carry gun is a model 640 no dash in .38 special, one of the first ones with the CEN serial number and marked "tested for +P+". The original owner made some "improvements" to the butt by rounding off the corners with a dremel. I wrote this off as "character" and bought it anyway at a slightly reduced price. However, someone's name means a whole lot more than slightly reduced, like maybe it's now a $150 beater.

 

[florida1098]

If the engraving is going to bother you, than it is past being worthless, it is a liablity that will aggrevate you every time you see it. Find one you love, even if twice the price. I'm saying this from experience, don't mean to sound harsh, but life is too short, and we need to surround ourselves with happiness and positiveness.