Sideways ampersand

[jcoers]

I did a search but could not find anything. Sorry if this is an old question......

Does anyone know why Smith & Wesson used a sideways ampersand on the barrel stamp? Was it just too tall? My newer revolvers ampersand is vertical. Any significance to the revolvers age?

Might just be a weird question......

Thanks!

Oh - This is a 27-2 circa 1973

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Do a thread or post search on here using the term "lazy ampersand" and see what you find. I am not a historian, but I believe the ampersand changed at about the same time S&W switched from S-prefixed to N-prefixed serial numbers on their N frames.

 

[jcoers]

Many Thanks!!!!!!

 

[Donald Paul]

...if it looks like this, that's normal for that age.
~~~~~~~Well, let me back up.
That type ampersand was normal for older revolvers. say prior to the 1960's.
If your 27-2 has it, you may have something odd.
My 27-2's all have the upright {newer ampersand}.

 

[Izzydog]

I've heard it called a "pregnant Ampersand".

 

[Bullseye 2620]

...if it looks like this, that's normal for that age.
~~~~~~~Well, let me back up.
That type ampersand was normal for older revolvers. say prior to the 1950's.
If your 27-2 has it I think you may have something odd.
My 27-2's all have the upright {newer ampersand}.

Nothing odd about finding the lazy ampersand on earlier 27-2s. See attached. I am not sure when, exactly, or why, the change took place.

 

[Bakebfr480]

The 27-2's with the lazy ampersand are early 27-2's using leftover pre 27-2 barrels.

 

[lebomm]

So what are we calling the ampersand that looks like the Latin word "et" which means "and" ? Do we really call it the "backwards 3" ?

Larry

 

[jcoers]

The serial number on my 27-2 is N184xxx. It dates to 1973 according to the S&W catalog. So, I guess the consensus is that my 27-2's barrel was from an older inventory of pre 27-2 barrels? Neat!

I did do a search on "Lazy Ampersand". Lots of great information about them.

Thank you, everyone, for helping me out with this!!!

John

 

[chief38]

Just the way they decided to make their logo.

 

[Alk8944]

...if it looks like this, that's normal for that age.
~~~~~~~Well, let me back up.
That type ampersand was normal for older revolvers. say prior to the 1960's.
If your 27-2 has it, you may have something odd.
My 27-2's all have the upright {newer ampersand}.

While you are trying to make a distinction the ampersand on your revolver looks exactly like OPs gun? What is your point?