SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECORDS

[rct269]

Do you have them?

If so, have they been digitized (and if so, for the same period as the other records)?

If so, are they accessible by serial number, or only by the then owner's name?

If so, are the particulars of work performed shown?

Many thanks!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Doc44]

Some of the records of the Service Department are included in what we have digitized and indexed. Sometimes, they are indexed by the name of an individual or business who returned the gun for service, or by serial number.

What are you trying to find out?

Bill

 

[rct269]

Actually, I'm simply trying to confirm what I (think) I already know---and that is a historical letter is not going to treat with the service history of any particular gun------or at least it wasn't when the letters were "factory" letters. Now that the letters are not "factory" (per se), it strikes me there could be a whole new ball game.

This arises from a gentleman with a rather spiffy Triplelock which has been extensively redone on three(?) different occasions. He has posted his hope his letter will treat with the service history. I was inclined to forewarn him to the effect such was unlikely, and suggest the historical foundation might be a better bet---without knowing for sure what I was talking about.

Now I know more than I did---and figure he at least has a chance you may be able to come up with something---for some of it. As I recall, the gun's last visit was in 1974, and your abilities for that period are, let's say compromised----just a little.

Many thanks!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Doc44]

Ralph...The years digitized are 1920-1941 as well as the invoices from 1946 to sometime in the 60s (not sure exactly of the cutoff date). These records contain some repair and service records. A letter of authenticity will not include this type of record as the data used for these letters are the shipping records and an invoice used to verify the characteristics of the S&W firearm. Service records would not be identified in this type of search. When I get a request for a historical foundation letter, I search by serial number and other parameters, and the repair and/or service record will come up if it is indexed by one of my search criteria. I have included these records with historical foundation letters when I find them. These records include refinish, change of finish, new barrel, etc. I found a record for Russ Lindenlaub where his .38/44 Super Police Revolver had been converted to a target model in 1933.

Bill