USAEC stamped pre model 10 snubby??

[Mrratman]

Hello all ! I have acquired an interesting pre model 10 2"" bbl gun with what I am told are U S atomic energy commission markings on the back strap. As follows USAEC NJS 127411 . The gun is a 4 screw pinned bbl 2" snubby k frame barrel is marked 38 spc ctg the usual registration mark and logo stamped right side. On inside of the frame under the Cran is simply SN 9696x no letter prefix any info is appreciated.

 

[Absalom]

Sounds like an interesting gun.

But for correct dating we'd need the serial number from the bottom of the butt including any letter prefix like S or C.

The number from the inside frame of the yoke cut you gave is just an assembly number and doesn't help here.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Back in the early 90's there were some trench shotguns being marketed in Shotgun News that were AEC surplus. They all had the "atom" symbol on them like this hat badge in addition to AEC markings. Do you see the symbol anywhere on the revolver?

 

[kwill1911]

Please post pictures!

 

[Mrratman]

Speed Gunner . No atom symbol just those figures stamped on the back strap.

 

[Mrratman]

Absalom thanks found the serial # it is C5425x I will try to post some pics

 

[murphydog]

It likely dates to late 1948 - early 1949. A letter of authenticity (giving you the ship date and destination from the factory) would be an excellent idea in this situation.

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf

 

[DWalt]

Closest I have listed to C5425x is C53207 which shipped in 2/49. Yours is probably close to that, at least it very likely shipped sometime in 1949.

 

[Art Doc]

I have . C58650 Shipped 5/17/49

 

[Mrratman]

Cool guys thanks so much. The letter is my next step. The USAEC stamping on the back strap of the gun are very light today age/wear or just not stamped deep and does not show when I try to shoot a picture. Also trying to load pics to the site could not accomplish. What's the process to load pics?2

 

[kwill1911]

How do I add an image to a post?

If you have uploaded an image as an attachment, you can click the arrow next to the 'Attachment Icon' and select it from the list. This will be inserted into your post and can be located where you want it displayed.

To include an image that is not uploaded as an attachment and is located on another website, you can do so by copying the full URL to the image, (not the page on which the image is located), and either pressing the 'Insert Image' icon or by typing

after it, ensuring that you do not have any spaces before or after the URL of the image. You can insert pictures from your albums (?) in this way too.

 

[Mrratman]

I think it worked...

 

[kwill1911]

It did work. If possible please take a picture of the back strap with the markings. Doing so outside is bright shade will result in better pictures. Thanks.

 

[Mrratman]

Upon closer inspection with a loupe these markings on backstrap were done with an engraver so I believe a letter only way to prove link to energy commission am I correct? Trying to find worth point on this piece as I paid a premium price for it.Man I bought it from had it appraised at 1,200 dollars I paid 800 thoughts?

 

[murphydog]

It really depends on its authenticity, which depends on the letter.

 

[DWalt]

I'm not at all sure an AEC connection, even if verified, would provide much of a valuation premium boost (except, possibly, to a collector of USAEC memorabilia). There were a great many locations and facilities under AEC control and it is likely that most, if not all, of them had armed security protection. I also suspect that $800 is not that great a deal given its condition and lack of original grips.

 

[Absalom]

....with what I am told are U S atomic energy commission markings on the back strap. As follows USAEC NJS 127411 ...

Even if just electro-pencilled, the markings you quoted are so strangely specific that it increases the likelihood of their authenticity.

But as other have said, the gun is in unexciting condition, and undocumented. If a letter authenticates it, it MAY be worth an unspecified premium to a niche collector who has a special interest in that area.

....Man I bought it from had it appraised at 1,200 dollars I paid 800 thoughts?

Did the seller show you any kind of documentation for the $1200 "appraisal", or did he just claim that happened? I don't see how any "expert" can arrive at such a number without documented context, at a minimum a history letter authenticating the provenance.

 

[Indynick]

Maybe you should check it with a Geiger Counter.