Strange label

[larryofcc]

Label on the end of the box for M19 no dash # K 358063, no XXX's, shipped 2-1960 to Williams Gun Sight Co. Can anyone I.D. this one or tell me what it means? It is covering the original silver info on the box. The gun is blue. Thanks, Big Larry

 

[gunlovingirl]

Maybe a label that Williams stuck on? You say the serial # is 358063. It's interesting that the label has 3570. Ok. Now let's hear from one of the experts....which I am not.

 

[Doc44]

Possibly the box indicates a nickel finish and the label was used to cover it up so a bright blue revolver could be shipped in the box without confusion. The 3570 is written is Sharpie and was probably added after the gun was shipped. It is impossible to know the meaning of the numbers.

S&W often "over labeled" boxes with stickers and or labels when they wanted to ship a gun with a different configuration in a box that was incorrect for it. Sturm, Ruger did it too as I have a 41 Magnum Blackhawk that was shipped in an over labeled box for a Blackhawk in .357 Magnum caliber.

Bill

 

[larryofcc]

From what I have seen lately, a lot of pre M15's have over marked boxes. I just bought a minty one and that box was a standard K22 gold box with the 6 marked over with a grease pencil with a four. The label on the M19 is stuck real well, so I will never be able to get it off to read what is underneath. The bottom of the box is serialed in white grease pencil so I know the bottom is correct. Man this can get confusing. Thanks for the great info. Big Larry

 

[zywina]

I know here in Canada all our gun boxes have to have a inventory number to be entered into the gun registry book system, that is what the (3570) reminds me of Larry. cheers Dale Z!

 

[larryofcc]

Hi Dale. I am beginning to think that is just what it is. Good thing I got rid on most of my M52's to make room for more Smiths. Oh yeah and the $$$ I got for them. Larry

 

[JSR III]

My guess would be that the box is for a different gun and the factory put the label on the box to correctly identify what gun it now contained. You could probably gently steam off the label to see what is underneath without harming it if you do it carefully.

As far as the number, I think it was meant to be the first 4 digits of the serial number and the author wrote a 7 instead of an 8. It would not be too difficult to change it back to an 8 if you wanted to. Probably was thinking of the caliber 357 and went into a mental cul de sac. God knows I've driven in many of them.

 

[larryofcc]

Not going to fool with it. The box is numbered to the gun, of course that does not mean someone may have switched tops in its 51 years, but it is what it is. A very nice early M19 no dash four screw with diamond center target grips. All inclusive in my S&W letter. Thanks, Big Larry

 

[dant]

as noted above, again a case of the factory using what they had "on hand" to ship the gun out, yes, the black numbers are 'added' later on, possibly as noted an "inventory" number for the shop that got it......the label is the "information" , and the serial number USUALLY is added to the bottom of the box, but yes, have seen some actually on the label, handprinted................I'd leave it being you have the gun, wehave in the past "wet" (dampened) the white label to be able to read /see what is under neath,but that is more out of curiosity, and more often with Rugers , as Doc44 noted............that white ,blue trimmed label is correct...yes, a book can be writtten just on variations of boxes,labels paperwork and tools, Jim & Rich 'tried' and came close.......
Roy has seen and FORGOTTEN more than any of us can even think of, I recall back in 1973 when I was at the factory seeing just how many and varied as well as what was shipped out , mainly in service repairs...it was awesome & varied........wish I paid attention or could have recorded ANY of it....wasn't collecting then, just fixing them.