engraved s&w mod36

cmore · May 29, 1999, 01:57 AM

harley, ihave a mod36 ,nickeled and engraved,in the box with paperwork but no hang tags. it has been fired(not by me). cond vg to excellent.
how could i find out if the engraving is factory?if it is , approx. what would the value be?
cmore

Harley Nolden · May 29, 1999, 07:22 AM

CMORE
According to my reecords, there are two model #36's. The Chief's Special and the Lady Smith. As you indicate it is nickle will eliminate the Lady Smith as this was mfg'd in blue finish only.

CHIEF'S SPECIAL
.38 spl, 5 shot, J frame, round or square butt, (discontinued in 1991). The 3" was a heavy bbl. and discontinued in 1994. It was mfg'd in nickel and blued finish.

According to the Blue Blue Book of Gun Values, 17th edition, the value of this piece, as issued, no engraving the value is $280.00.

I am told that the S&W custom shop does engraving, however, I have no way of identifying wheather or not yours was engraved there. Check over the paperwork, you may find something there that would indicate if Smith did the work.

HJN

[This message has been edited by Harley Nolden (edited May 29, 1999).]

cmore · May 29, 1999, 11:00 AM

thanks, harley. i've looked , but don't see anything to indicate if it's factory or not.
i appreciate your help.
cmore

James K · May 29, 1999, 03:56 PM

Cmore and Harley,

One tip off to S&W factory engraving is that the factory engravers never engrave the cylinder where the cylinder stop rubs against it, as the stop would scrape the engraving. They always leave an unengraved band around the cylinder at that point.

This is not solid proof, as other engravers follow that scheme, but it is a place to start.

Jim

P35 · May 29, 1999, 04:15 PM

The S&W web site can tell you when your revolvers were made.They were very helpful to me with info on a revolver I have.

------------------

TLH · June 8, 1999, 09:14 AM

This might help some. You can send a letter to the S&W Historian and $20 and get a letter of authenticity (I can't spell anything).
Doing so with a S&W Mod 27 myslef.

Roy Jinks, 2100 Roosevelt Ave. Springfield
MA 01104

Should be able to tell you if factory engraved and if they give you a letter to that effect may increase the value for you.

cmore · June 11, 1999, 11:26 PM

thanks, guys i've already sent roy a letter, i'll try to post results when it comes. cmore

May 29, 1999, 01:57 AM	#1
cmore Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 131	harley, ihave a mod36 ,nickeled and engraved,in the box with paperwork but no hang tags. it has been fired(not by me). cond vg to excellent. how could i find out if the engraving is factory?if it is , approx. what would the value be? cmore

May 29, 1999, 07:22 AM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	CMORE According to my reecords, there are two model #36's. The Chief's Special and the Lady Smith. As you indicate it is nickle will eliminate the Lady Smith as this was mfg'd in blue finish only. CHIEF'S SPECIAL .38 spl, 5 shot, J frame, round or square butt, (discontinued in 1991). The 3" was a heavy bbl. and discontinued in 1994. It was mfg'd in nickel and blued finish. According to the Blue Blue Book of Gun Values, 17th edition, the value of this piece, as issued, no engraving the value is $280.00. I am told that the S&W custom shop does engraving, however, I have no way of identifying wheather or not yours was engraved there. Check over the paperwork, you may find something there that would indicate if Smith did the work. HJN [This message has been edited by Harley Nolden (edited May 29, 1999).]

May 29, 1999, 11:00 AM	#3
cmore Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 131	thanks, harley. i've looked , but don't see anything to indicate if it's factory or not. i appreciate your help. cmore

May 29, 1999, 03:56 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Cmore and Harley, One tip off to S&W factory engraving is that the factory engravers never engrave the cylinder where the cylinder stop rubs against it, as the stop would scrape the engraving. They always leave an unengraved band around the cylinder at that point. This is not solid proof, as other engravers follow that scheme, but it is a place to start. Jim

May 29, 1999, 04:15 PM	#5
P35 Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Tulsa,OK.USA Posts: 65	The S&W web site can tell you when your revolvers were made.They were very helpful to me with info on a revolver I have. ------------------

June 8, 1999, 09:14 AM	#6
TLH Member Join Date: June 6, 1999 Posts: 42	This might help some. You can send a letter to the S&W Historian and $20 and get a letter of authenticity (I can't spell anything). Doing so with a S&W Mod 27 myslef. Roy Jinks, 2100 Roosevelt Ave. Springfield MA 01104 Should be able to tell you if factory engraved and if they give you a letter to that effect may increase the value for you.

June 11, 1999, 11:26 PM	#7
cmore Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 131	thanks, guys i've already sent roy a letter, i'll try to post results when it comes. cmore