RGVshooter
Member
In all fairness before judging it's possible the seller could have bought the gun like that with the box that came with it and had nothing to do with the serial # being erased. Just sayin'....
What does "RE" in a circle on the grip frame and other questions
- Thread starter oldblue
- Start date
Does anyone know the answer to the OP's original question about the RE in a circle?
I would not say that the box is worthless and if the label can be gently removed you have a pre Bangor Punta S&W blue box. That box on fleabay would probably fetch $100 or more.
It is also possible that the ink serial number could be removed assuming that the label is original and worth saving.
OP, is there any indication of a serial number written on the bottom of the box? S&W typically wrote the serial number in grease pencil across the end of the underside of the box.
It is also possible that the ink serial number could be removed assuming that the label is original and worth saving.
OP, is there any indication of a serial number written on the bottom of the box? S&W typically wrote the serial number in grease pencil across the end of the underside of the box.
I asked Roy Jinks what the RE symbol means and he stated that it is one of the many rework symbols used by the factory to indicate rework done to a gun before shipment. It is possible that the gun did not function as designed and went back through the factory to correct some issue. Unfortunately, he also stated that the service department also could have used the symbol to indicate that the gun was returned for an issue and went through the same process.
Working the issue
Wow - super impressive thoughts and wisdom for everyone. I also appreciate the differing views.
While I'm obviously not a S&W expert (someone asked, but I think I've been clear about that) - I'm not new to firearms. I've hunted dangerous game in Africa and Alaska and have had some very expensive DG hunting rifles and scopes, etc. In the past, was an FFL, a shooting industry manufacturer's rep with the whole SHOT Show experience, etc, etc.
In my day job, I deal daily with $500M contracts and contract attorneys so I'll try to put that hat on and have a conversation with the seller. Thanks for the suggestion on that item.
I'm always careful not to accuse anyone of something I can't prove, and in cases like this, I usually don't ask questions unless I already know the answer. Rather, I ask stupid questions to see if they tell me the truth, then I decide how to react. This is how I learn if I can trust someone - honest mistake vs. ill will. Then I decide what to do. If honest, I try hard to be a courteous and patient gentleman to a fault (my preferred approach). If deceptive, usually drop the hammer in several directions all at once (GB, BBB, Yelp, CC company, the Ripoff Report website, local small claims court with summons to appear in my county court, etc., etc.) with no warning. If I warn people they say I'm threatening, so I just do it. Guess I learned that in the Marine Corps: candy bars and fruit for kids; lightening speed and ruthless aggression towards the enemy.
Anyway, no attachment at the moment to the gun - I can take it or leave it.
It's a great point about shooting it for accuracy but I'd want written permission in advance. The gun smells like old oil, not gun smoke, and the seller must know that. Won't provide him an excuse.
Wow - rambled on way too long. I'll keep you all informed.
BTW, I'm on several other types of forums (guns, motorcycles, international travel, hunting, etc.) - all good, but you guys are AWESOME!!!
Wow - super impressive thoughts and wisdom for everyone. I also appreciate the differing views.
While I'm obviously not a S&W expert (someone asked, but I think I've been clear about that) - I'm not new to firearms. I've hunted dangerous game in Africa and Alaska and have had some very expensive DG hunting rifles and scopes, etc. In the past, was an FFL, a shooting industry manufacturer's rep with the whole SHOT Show experience, etc, etc.
In my day job, I deal daily with $500M contracts and contract attorneys so I'll try to put that hat on and have a conversation with the seller. Thanks for the suggestion on that item.
I'm always careful not to accuse anyone of something I can't prove, and in cases like this, I usually don't ask questions unless I already know the answer. Rather, I ask stupid questions to see if they tell me the truth, then I decide how to react. This is how I learn if I can trust someone - honest mistake vs. ill will. Then I decide what to do. If honest, I try hard to be a courteous and patient gentleman to a fault (my preferred approach). If deceptive, usually drop the hammer in several directions all at once (GB, BBB, Yelp, CC company, the Ripoff Report website, local small claims court with summons to appear in my county court, etc., etc.) with no warning. If I warn people they say I'm threatening, so I just do it. Guess I learned that in the Marine Corps: candy bars and fruit for kids; lightening speed and ruthless aggression towards the enemy.
Anyway, no attachment at the moment to the gun - I can take it or leave it.
It's a great point about shooting it for accuracy but I'd want written permission in advance. The gun smells like old oil, not gun smoke, and the seller must know that. Won't provide him an excuse.
Wow - rambled on way too long. I'll keep you all informed.
BTW, I'm on several other types of forums (guns, motorcycles, international travel, hunting, etc.) - all good, but you guys are AWESOME!!!
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Update
Well, as Winston Churchill wrote to his wife Clemmie while traveling in Africa, "Safari so goodie."
I called the seller and described what I saw on the box. He practically fell over himself apologizing and seemed embarrassed. He said "It came in that way and I saw that a couple of numbers looked off but a couple looked okay so I just posted it. I should have taken a paragraph to explain it." Without my saying anything he said, "Tell you what, why don't you go shoot it as much as you want, and if you like it, I'll send you a check for $400. If you don't like it for any reason, let me know, send it back and I'll refund the entire amount." We talked about guns for awhile and he said "I wish more people were reasonable and would just listen and talk things out. It's the way we were raised, but now, people seem so angry. But gun people are usually okay."
So I shot it today after work. When I got home I put it on a scale; weighs 72.3lbs. Pretty sure it's something like that.
The photo has a 5-shot group on the target shot at 7 yards. I'm no precision handgun shooter; this is about as good as I can shoot any handgun. Now a rifle, that's another matter!
For $1200 think I may keep it - what do you think?
Well, as Winston Churchill wrote to his wife Clemmie while traveling in Africa, "Safari so goodie."
I called the seller and described what I saw on the box. He practically fell over himself apologizing and seemed embarrassed. He said "It came in that way and I saw that a couple of numbers looked off but a couple looked okay so I just posted it. I should have taken a paragraph to explain it." Without my saying anything he said, "Tell you what, why don't you go shoot it as much as you want, and if you like it, I'll send you a check for $400. If you don't like it for any reason, let me know, send it back and I'll refund the entire amount." We talked about guns for awhile and he said "I wish more people were reasonable and would just listen and talk things out. It's the way we were raised, but now, people seem so angry. But gun people are usually okay."
So I shot it today after work. When I got home I put it on a scale; weighs 72.3lbs. Pretty sure it's something like that.
The photo has a 5-shot group on the target shot at 7 yards. I'm no precision handgun shooter; this is about as good as I can shoot any handgun. Now a rifle, that's another matter!
For $1200 think I may keep it - what do you think?
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Looks good. If you like it after shooting it, I'd just keep it for $1200.
I would sure keep it for $1200. You would have a hard time improving on it for that price.
Thank you. It is hard to see but if you click the photo above you'll see the group. I'm not too good of a handgun precision shooter - that's about as good as it gets for me. I tend to shoot left and string vertical.
Could it be an "RB"? I bought a 27-2 with that mark and it signified a blue refinish at the factory. I lettered the gun (shipped October of 1970) and it was sent back just a few months (January 1971) after to be reblued, no idea why. The guy I got it from didn't know either.
Here's what that stamp looks like:
I had a 27 3 1/2" like that. Had the re-bluing rectangle. I bought it from the original owner (barely fired wife's gun) when called the owner about it, said he never sent it back for any work. I got it lettered and it was shipped just a couple months before the re-blued date stamp.
The original owner said he special ordered it thru his local gun dealer with two sets of grips and a RR/WO sights. One set was regular target grips and the other a beautiful set of Rosewood Magna's. They both were with the gun when I bought it.
Jinks letter said it was a shipment of five 27-2 3 1/2" guns to a wholesaler near the gun dealers town.
What I "think" may have happen was the wholesaler sent one of his five back for the grips and sights instead of ordering another one. The two sight pins were ground flush like they were back then (S serial#) hence the need for the re-blue.
Your call......but I would seldom consider adding $400 to the price of a gun just for an original (and correct) box. Sounds like the seller is being more than fair.
muddocktor
Member
Man, the seller is gonna give you $400 back? Hell yeah, keep that nice 3 1/2" 27-2. $1200 for that gun is a steal, especially on a GB buy. You could easily sell that with the fake box for much more here on the forums. You done real good with this purchase in my opinion.
ejjeff
Member
Beautiful revolver oldblue and IMO well bought @ 1200.
Well, only worked out because of the help of the fabulous people here!
"So I shot it today after work. When I got home I put it on a scale; weighs 72.3lbs. Pretty sure it's something like that."
Wow, now I know why the young shooters look at my S&W revolvers and tell me how much lighter a plastic gun would be.
Might want to reweigh the gun as even changing pounds to ounces doesn't seem to work.
Wow, now I know why the young shooters look at my S&W revolvers and tell me how much lighter a plastic gun would be.
Might want to reweigh the gun as even changing pounds to ounces doesn't seem to work.
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I was probably OK with the $1,600 considering the others going for $1,750. At $1,200 it is a steal as the short barrel guns are way more popular than the longer ones it seems. That seller sounds like a real stand up guy and I would definitely want to do business with an honorable guy like that.
We here on the forum eat, sleep and drink S&W's but most FFL's cannot be experts with every maker that they deal with. This guy made an honest mistake and went way above board to make it right. Kudos to him.
We here on the forum eat, sleep and drink S&W's but most FFL's cannot be experts with every maker that they deal with. This guy made an honest mistake and went way above board to make it right. Kudos to him.
