Just to clear up what has been stated:
1) The gun was NOT engraved at the factory as the factory did not have in house engravers at that time.
2) In order to engrave the gun ALL finishes are stripped PRIOR to engraving or shipped in the white.
3) Guns are typically refinished OUTSIDE of the factory after the engraving is complete and could therefore receive a blue cylinder and a plated frame at that time.
4) Early S&W's were shipped to Storrs and M.W. Robinson in NYC and there were plenty of jewelers and engravers with great skill available for them to choose from.
5) Factory files from this time period are either limited or if available usually hand written so specific details can be hit or miss.
6) All engraved guns have been refinished which can negatively affect value for SOME collectors. The fact that the gun is engraved positively affects value for SOME collectors so it really depends on who is looking when you try to sell.
7) The antique gun market is soft right now and many younger buyers are more interested in black plastic semi autos and not 150 year old 22's especially ones that are all scratched up.
8) Many collectors that like the antique guns are reaching their sunset or sundown years and are looking to sell off their collections and not add to them.
So there you have my summation of the above with a few added comments of my own.
It's a cool looking gun but I'm one of the sunset crowd but not quite looking to sell all just yet.
1) The gun was NOT engraved at the factory as the factory did not have in house engravers at that time.
2) In order to engrave the gun ALL finishes are stripped PRIOR to engraving or shipped in the white.
3) Guns are typically refinished OUTSIDE of the factory after the engraving is complete and could therefore receive a blue cylinder and a plated frame at that time.
4) Early S&W's were shipped to Storrs and M.W. Robinson in NYC and there were plenty of jewelers and engravers with great skill available for them to choose from.
5) Factory files from this time period are either limited or if available usually hand written so specific details can be hit or miss.
6) All engraved guns have been refinished which can negatively affect value for SOME collectors. The fact that the gun is engraved positively affects value for SOME collectors so it really depends on who is looking when you try to sell.
7) The antique gun market is soft right now and many younger buyers are more interested in black plastic semi autos and not 150 year old 22's especially ones that are all scratched up.
8) Many collectors that like the antique guns are reaching their sunset or sundown years and are looking to sell off their collections and not add to them.
So there you have my summation of the above with a few added comments of my own.
It's a cool looking gun but I'm one of the sunset crowd but not quite looking to sell all just yet.
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