Engraved S&W model 36 no dash

Ignacio49 · December 25, 2017, 08:16 PM

This one belongs to a friend.

S&W 36 no dash, s/n 1523xx

Would you say it was factory engraved?
Any idea of approximate price? (no box, no papers)

Thanks, and Merry Christmas!!!
Ignacio

I just found out that I have to find another host to FREE post my pics.
Working on that...
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Found another host:

SaxonPig · December 25, 2017, 08:44 PM

Doesn't look like any S&W engraving I have seen.

Bill DeShivs · December 26, 2017, 12:42 AM

Probably not, but S&W can tell you how it left the factory.

Ignacio49 · December 26, 2017, 04:16 AM

Thanks for your comments.
I have to find another host to FREE post my pics.
Working on that...

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

Host found!!!

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**Mike Irwin** · December 26, 2017, 11:50 AM

Hard to tell the quality of the engraving as the pictures are not the best.

I'd say most likely not, but it is in the style of S&W engraving.

What really makes me think that it's not S&W is that the company's "full engraving" designs generally leave a fair amount of unengraved space that is used to frame and center the engraved areas, thus highlighting them.

In the case of that revolver, it's wall-to-wall coverage.

**Mike Irwin** · December 26, 2017, 11:55 AM

Oh hell... just noticed something...

Absolutely NOT S&W factory engraved.

The company NEVER engraves the rear of the cylinder where the cylinder bolt rides on the cylinder (causing the infamous drag line).

Doing so would eventually damage the cylinder bolt and the engraving pattern.

shuvelrider · December 26, 2017, 07:21 PM

I'm going to speculate that pistol was engraved sometime in the 50's/60's. There were a lot of old world engravers from Austria/Germany who set up shop in the U.S. after the second world war, or at least some of their families would come over. They would do "work" here or ship it by mail to the home shop in Europe, then send it back to the U.S. when completed. I have a very early Smith Highway Patrolman (no dash) that was engraved in similar fashion, not factory. I had it lettered to verify that question, ended up posting a picture on an engraving forum. One of the members was very sure it was the work of a known Austrian family of engravers from that era, trying to make a living after the war. Sure enough to give me a four figure value on the engraving by itself.

Ignacio49 · December 27, 2017, 07:43 AM

What could be the value of this piece nowadays?

**Mike Irwin** · December 27, 2017, 09:20 AM

Depending on the quality of the engraving, and whether it was done by a known engraver, it could add considerably to the base price of the gun itself.

If, however, it's not that good an engraving job, it could actually detract from the value of the gun.

Ignacio49 · December 29, 2017, 07:10 AM

Hope these pics show a little bit better the quality of engraving.

**Mike Irwin** · December 29, 2017, 07:43 AM

Decidedly not S&W engraving.

Unfortunately, it's medium to mediocre quality at best from what I can see.

Many of the scrolls aren't smoothly cut.

burrhead · December 29, 2017, 11:03 AM

Quote:

What could be the value of this piece nowadays?

Suppose the gun was excellent with no engraving or embellishment; I'd say +/- $400. Add to that what someone will pay for the engraving. I agree with Mike and think it's average to poor. If I were a buyer I'd want to pay $700, maybe $800. As it sits I'm not a buyer but that's just me. Someone else may think it's the bee's knees.

Good Luck

Ignacio49 · December 30, 2017, 03:30 PM

Thanks for all your help and good comments..(and price, burrhead).

And best wishes for the new year.
Ignacio

December 25, 2017, 08:16 PM	#1
Ignacio49 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2002 Posts: 221	Engraved S&W model 36 no dash This one belongs to a friend. S&W 36 no dash, s/n 1523xx Would you say it was factory engraved? Any idea of approximate price? (no box, no papers) Thanks, and Merry Christmas!!! Ignacio I just found out that I have to find another host to FREE post my pics. Working on that... . Found another host: Last edited by Ignacio49; December 26, 2017 at 11:36 AM.

December 26, 2017, 12:42 AM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Probably not, but S&W can tell you how it left the factory. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

December 26, 2017, 04:16 AM	#4
Ignacio49 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2002 Posts: 221	Thanks for your comments. I have to find another host to FREE post my pics. Working on that... ------------------------------ Host found!!! . Last edited by Ignacio49; December 26, 2017 at 11:37 AM.

December 26, 2017, 11:50 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Hard to tell the quality of the engraving as the pictures are not the best. I'd say most likely not, but it is in the style of S&W engraving. What really makes me think that it's not S&W is that the company's "full engraving" designs generally leave a fair amount of unengraved space that is used to frame and center the engraved areas, thus highlighting them. In the case of that revolver, it's wall-to-wall coverage. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 26, 2017, 11:55 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Oh hell... just noticed something... Absolutely NOT S&W factory engraved. The company NEVER engraves the rear of the cylinder where the cylinder bolt rides on the cylinder (causing the infamous drag line). Doing so would eventually damage the cylinder bolt and the engraving pattern. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 25, 2017, 08:44 PM	#2
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	Doesn't look like any S&W engraving I have seen.

December 26, 2017, 07:21 PM	#7
shuvelrider Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2011 Location: West Coast of Michigan Posts: 132	I'm going to speculate that pistol was engraved sometime in the 50's/60's. There were a lot of old world engravers from Austria/Germany who set up shop in the U.S. after the second world war, or at least some of their families would come over. They would do "work" here or ship it by mail to the home shop in Europe, then send it back to the U.S. when completed. I have a very early Smith Highway Patrolman (no dash) that was engraved in similar fashion, not factory. I had it lettered to verify that question, ended up posting a picture on an engraving forum. One of the members was very sure it was the work of a known Austrian family of engravers from that era, trying to make a living after the war. Sure enough to give me a four figure value on the engraving by itself.

December 27, 2017, 07:43 AM	#8
Ignacio49 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2002 Posts: 221	What could be the value of this piece nowadays?

December 27, 2017, 09:20 AM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Depending on the quality of the engraving, and whether it was done by a known engraver, it could add considerably to the base price of the gun itself. If, however, it's not that good an engraving job, it could actually detract from the value of the gun. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 29, 2017, 07:10 AM	#10
Ignacio49 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2002 Posts: 221	Hope these pics show a little bit better the quality of engraving.

December 29, 2017, 07:43 AM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Decidedly not S&W engraving. Unfortunately, it's medium to mediocre quality at best from what I can see. Many of the scrolls aren't smoothly cut. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 30, 2017, 03:30 PM	#13
Ignacio49 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2002 Posts: 221	Thanks for all your help and good comments..(and price, burrhead). And best wishes for the new year. Ignacio