Smith & Wesson model 2 with double stamp

[CKGreene]

Hi, I'm new and I read the rules.
I have a question about a double stamped Smith & Wesson model 2 that was obviously restored with chrome plating. Its serial number places its manufacture around 1890-91. I'm suspicious of the double stamping of the "S" in "Wesson". It looks like Wessson with 3 snakes. Has anyone heard of this happening before? It makes me wonder why it would leave the factory that way. Or, when it was restored, could something have happened then? Just wanted to share that and ask for opinions.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Welcome to the Forum!

Is there a star at the end of the serial number? If so, it indicates
a Factory return for repair and/or refinishing. This could explain
the overstamp on the rib.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[mmaher94087]

The barrel markings look as if the roll stamp was interrupted and then attempted to restart to finish. Monday after a hangover or Friday after a liquid lunch??? Look at the second line of the barrel address just below the triple 's'. "... July & 11...". I believe this is a factory goof that wasn't caught by the QA folks.

 

[CKGreene]

Hi, thanks for the reply. No, there is no star after the serial.

 

[CKGreene]

Hi, thanks for the reply. That makes sense, appreciate it.

 

[glowe]

Welcome. That finish is not chrome. The pictures clearly show a yellow coloring which indicates nickel. As for the stamping, a couple reasons come to mind. First, the factory was using a broken stamping die and had to do the stamping in two passes until the new stamp arrived or is broke in the machine while stamping a run of 38 SAs. That would mean you have an almost new-old-stock example.

Second, your 38 Single Action could have been re-plated, and if so an extremely professional job. It would have been done by the factory since who else had those stamping dies. A worker could have been trying to restore a partially weak barrel stamp. Alco, if you look at the second line, it makes no sense that there would be an ampersand right after JULY& 11 65. The earliest factory re-work stamp I have documented appears to be in early 1911, so if done in the late 1800s, there would not be any return stamps on the gun.

 

[Model19man]

First of all I do not think your revolver was refinished. It looks like a factory nickel job like was common on that revolver. Blued examples exist but they are pretty uncommon.

Second I believe you actually have a Baby Russian. They generally are chambered for the S&W 38 - not the same round as the S&W 38 Special.

Nice revolver and I don't know about the unusual number of S's.

 

[glowe]

Baby Russian guns have an elongated lower barrel shroud, housing the extraction gear for the cylinder star. The OP has a 38 Single Action, 2nd Model. I will add a photo when the Manage Attachments is working??

Here you go.

 

[Model19man]

Interesting- is that revolver in 38 Colt caliber?

 

[BMur]

Restoration

The Antique has been completely restored.

The barrel address was HAND STAMPED over the original likely from loss due to buffing prior to refinish.
No way a double stamp would add 3 S’s to Wesson and elongate the name. That was hand done. Kind of comical looking. Also notice the sloppy &?

Reconstruction of stamps and markings by engravers is common with restoration. Sometimes even the EXPERTS are fooled.

Also darkening the letters is performed using an acid mix. It’s also used on engraving to bring it out bold. Common practice with restoration.


Murph

 

[glowe]

I wish you would stop making such absolute posts since you know no more than anyone else about this gun barrel. The only thing for certain in my mind is that there was NO engraving done on that gun's barrel address. Enlarge the stamping and it is clear that all characters are exactly the same, worn at the top or buffed, but no tool other than a factory stamp has touched that barrel. Move the two pieces of the stamp slightly and they will produce a perfect stamping.

 

[glowe]

Interesting- is that revolver in 38 Colt caliber?

No it is in 38 S&W caliber.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Have any of you noticed the second line? The legend is scrambled! It should read:

JULY 11. 65. AUG. 24. 69 JAN. 18. 1875. REISSUE JULY 25. 1896

See Below.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[BMur]

Not convinced?

Engravers can actually do a pretty good job at copying print.

Often the mistakes are subtle but requires an “OPEN MIND” to actually see it. Some people have a very closed mind!

Antique Colts are extremely common with restored print. Barrel addresses are very often restored. I’ve even seen restored logos. If you look closely it’s then obvious.

When it stings is when you don’t notice it until after you bring it home from the show or get it in the mail.

Auction houses used to often identify “restored serial numbers” or “restored barrel address”. They now leave it up to you to see it. I’m not a fan of that approach!

Murph

 

[BMur]

Says it better

This kinda says it better.

I met this collector at a show many moons ago who collected Colt SAA’s and he carried on his key chain a fabricated gauge that measured the width of the frame just forward of the trigger guard.
He was a machinist and I asked him what he was doing with that gauge?

He told me that restorations are so good now that he can’t tell if the patents have been re-stamped by resurfacing and re-stamping patent dates and often the U.S. on the frame also without this gauge he fabricated.

The gauge was set at factory frame width. When restored the frame would be slightly thinner and the gauge would pick that up.

I looked at one that his gauge confirmed was restored and you couldn’t tell unless you looked closely. That experience sharpened my eyes.

Murph

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


If the top legend was engraved (as part of a restoration), the
engraver did a terrible job. After taking the lower line in to con-
sideration, it looks to me like someone used a die that was
broken and was using the pieces to remark the barrel. This
would explain the parts of the legend that are mixed up.

If one looks closely at the "WESSSON" on the barrel, one can
see some very faint characters under the current stamping.


Cheers!
Webb