Yellow filled roll stamps..

[Model29-26.5]

This happens to be a 586, but I've seen this in many Smiths.
Was thing something S&W did or is this something that owners do to make the lettering show up more?
Is there a name for this?
I personally am not a fan, but I guess it could grow on me.
Any info from anyone as to what this is officially called, how often it was done? Was it a special order or is it just a customer thing?
What exactly is the substance in the roll stamp?
Thanks

 

[Modified]

Used to be a thing guys did to their guns. You could get a gold inlay kit. I think Brownells sold one called the Gold Lode.

 

[glenwolde]

Yeah, used to be a thing. I call it vandalism.

 

[mchom]

I've heard it called gold fill. I've got a few older revolvers with white too. I got them that way and I left it. I've read also it's fairly easy to remove.

 

[CH4]

It can be paint or even crayon. If it doesn't grow on you, a little fingernail polish remover, toothbrush and toothpick will remove it.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Yeah, used to be a thing. I call it vandalism.

Yeah. I'm just not a fan.
Happy to hear it's easy to removed.
I'm more likely buy a gun that has it.
I'd been put off before

 

[Chubbs103]

It can be paint or even crayon. If it doesn't grow on you, a little fingernail polish, toothbrush and toothpick will remove it.

I would recommend fingernail polish remover instead. ☺

 

[CH4]

I would recommend fingernail polish remover instead. ☺

lol
Thanks
That's what happens when you're watching ball and typing.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Yes indeed!
I got it on probably my most valuable gun.
Hand Ejector Third Model Target.
What the Hell were those people thinking?

 

[Beju]

What the Hell were those people thinking?

It's not my thing either, but people have been adding gold inlay to weapons since before guns existed, and it certainly didn't stop when guns were invented.

 

[Alk8944]

If the lettering fill is gold colored it is probably "Bonanza Gold", still sold by Forster, the reloading manufacturer. There is also "Bonanza Silver" from the same source. They consist of a clear lacquer with either silver of gold colored "Bronzing Powder. They are easy to apply or to remove and do no harm to the gun. These products have been available since at least the 1950s, and at one time were quite popular. To call filling of the roll-marks "vandalism" is, at best, silly! People fill the lettering on their guns for any of several reasons, all legitimate!

In addition to these two products There are also paint sticks available in many colors. The most frequently seen are white and red, although yellow, orange and other colors are available.

Besides filling the lettering "Bonanza Gold" can be used to fill the top half of the serrations of the Baughman type front sights. This creates an effect similar to having a square gold bead installed in the sight. This is quite durable and easily renewed if it wears off.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
I had been wondering about this as it had shown up now and again on guns for sale. Something about it never quite looked like a factory thing which is what made me wonder and was kind of off putting, but I do understand if people like to see the stamps stand out a little more. Glad to hear it doesn't affect the finish.

 

[Tinkertech]

In 1972 my Colt python 4" came from the factory with gold ( bronze, yellow etc..) inlay.

 

[glenwolde]

Yes indeed!
I got it on probably my most valuable gun.
Hand Ejector Third Model Target.
What the Hell were those people thinking?

It was the 80's. Everybody was pimping out their Smith's with gold filling, red ramps, white outlines. Retrofitting target triggers and hammers.

It was a fad...you know...like the 9mm...

 

[Model29-26.5]

It was the 80's. Everybody was pimping out their Smith's with gold filling, red ramps, white outlines. Retrofitting target triggers and hammers.

It was a fad...you know...like the 9mm...

Well… I am new to this, so I must confess to fitting target trigger and hammer to my 19-3 4" and 27-2 6".
I still have original parts of course.

Also… i found a 66-1 cylinder and yoke on eBay.
Having those machined for 9mm as long as it fits in any of my K frame magnums.

 

[glenwolde]

Well… I am new to this, so I must confess to fitting target trigger and hammer to my 19-3 4" and 27-2 6".
I still have original parts of course.

Also… i found a 66-1 cylinder and yoke on eBay.
Having those machined for 9mm as long as it fits in any of my K frame magnums.

LOL yeah I've done it too. I have a 66-2 with case hardened .500 hammer and trigger and a Weigand DX front sight base and a big fat Weigand rear sight blade. Not because I was pimping it out, but because I wanted a stainless target revolver. For once in my life I got what I wanted.

I considered having the hammer and trigger hard chromed just to confuse future collectors.

 

[cracker57]

It was the 80's. Everybody was pimping out their Smith's with gold filling, red ramps, white outlines. Retrofitting target triggers and hammers.

It was a fad...you know...like the 9mm...

That 9mm fade has been going strong for well over 100 years, guess its here to stay.

 

[glenwolde]

That 9mm fade has been going strong for well over 100 years, guess its here to stay.

Yeah, looks like it. Though in the US it didn't really take off until the Military adopted the Beretta in the 80's. Then all the cops went with it.

I think we're stuck with it. The .38 Special of the new millennium.

 

[rct269]

It's mostly a customer thing, but come to find out the factory did it too----poorly!

The 125th Anniversary commemorative came with "the gold" as well---on the low rent version----in whatever the special logo on the sideplate was. In the unlikely event any of you were foolish enough to buy one like I did, you may already know it comes right off/out if/when you wipe the gun down with Hoppes. I resisted the temptation to try to put it back in.

Ralph Tremaine