"R" for round butt or refinish. Opinions requested.

[Green Frog]

Well, these are turbulent times in the field of S&W collecting. More folks seem to be getting interested, either for the fascination with the arms themselves or for an investment strategy in a time of rapidly inflating currency. Prices are rising dramatically, sometimes without rhyme or reason. The examination of the progression and evolution of the I-frames has long been neglected as they were just the smaller, less flashy siblings to the classic Ks and Ns with their gun-writer generated mystiques. More interest in the I-frames from a historical perspective, overlain with the profit motive, will bring out more complete knowledge about them and probably cause the prices to jump at the same time. Oh well, at least I got a couple before the "gold rush" began, and maybe I can still find one or two more. Now how about if all of you quit looking for about 6 months to give me a chance to get a couple more key pieces?

Froggie

 

[yukonb]

I have a 19-3 with an R stamped in the frame under the stocks. I contacted S&W if it was a reblue or repair stamp. They told me it was an in house manufacturing mark. Do not know if they gave me the correct info but that was the answer I received.

 

[truckmizer]

About 10 - 15 years ago I bought a new in case in box 5 screw 44mag. The gun had a big R stamped on all the major parts. In the barrel channel, inside the yoke, on the yoke, on the back of the cylinder, and under the grips. The gun was new unturned wrapped in waxed paper, the tools where still wrapped in the brown tissue, all in the blue case in a grey card board box. the unexplaned Rs bothered me enough to trade it off. Rework, refinish, rejected, or an assembler's mark ?

 

[dacoontz]

About 10 - 15 years ago I bought a new in case in box 5 screw 44mag. The gun had a big R stamped on all the major parts. In the barrel channel, inside the yoke, on the yoke, on the back of the cylinder, and under the grips. The gun was new unturned wrapped in waxed paper, the tools where still wrapped in the brown tissue, all in the blue case in a grey card board box. the unexplaned Rs bothered me enough to trade it off. Rework, refinish, rejected, or an assembler's mark ?

Interesting, did you record the serial number? It might be interesting to research that a bit.

 

[truckmizer]

Interesting, did you record the serial number? It might be interesting to research that a bit.

No I don't recall the number. I bought from Bob's in Darian, CT and Sold It to Ron's Guns in Lyme, CT with the FFL from the shop I worked in. That shop changed hands and I left, and it has since gone out of business. At the least I can recall 21 4&5 screw 44mags have passed through my hands and I regret not saving any for myself.

 

[durco]

I have a 19-3 with an R stamped in the frame under the stocks. I contacted S&W if it was a reblue or repair stamp. They told me it was an in house manufacturing mark. Do not know if they gave me the correct info but that was the answer I received.

I have a pre-29 with an R under the left stock. I also have two pre-24's with a similar S under the left stock. I never thought much about them, since they were not framed by a diamond or a rectangle..... Mike