[jackypaper]

On my old .32, the top of the barrel reads: March E.B. 6. 06. Forum member Old Fuff explains that this is a patent date of March 27, 1894. The butt reads "70764." From these pieces of information, Old Fuff was able to divine that the gun is a .32 Hand Ejector; Model of 1903, 2nd. Chg., manufactured sometime between 1906 and 1909, within a serial number range running from 51,127 to 95,500.

My question to Old Fuff or any guru is how you were able to come up with so much information based on so little data?

Another question: Is it possible to get written documentation of my weapon's history?

Sufficiently impressed,

JP

[Sistema1927]

If it is a S&W, then $35 will get it lettered by Roy Jinks from the factory.

This letter will describe the configuration it was in when it left the factory, the date, and original distributor or customer.

[Old Fuff]

Sistema1927 is right, although last I knew the charge was only $30.00 :confused:

Anyway, additional information can be found at Smith & Wesson's web site at: www.smith-wesson.com

Since typing is difficult for me I extracted this from an earlier post:

A more complete history of your particular revolver can be obtained from the Smith & Wesson factory, and their historian, Mr. Roy G. Jinks. The cost for making a records search (which is no easy task) is $30.00.

You will need to make out a check in the above amount to Smith & Wesson (not Mr. Jinks) and enclose with it a snapshot of the revolver to aid positive identification, and a full description, including the serial number as stamped on the butt. Don't use any xxx's in this case, because he needs the full number. You will in about 6 to 8 weeks receive a formal letter from Smith & Wesson, signed by Mr. Jinks, that explains the general background of the model, and then the specific details about your gun - including the date shipped, and to whom.

To locare the background concerning jackypaper's revolver I used several research books to trace the different clues he provided. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. This time it worked.

These books were:

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (2nd Ed.) by Jim Supica & Richard Nahas. Be aware that a new, revised 3rd Ed. should be out at the first of next year.

History of Smith & Wesson by Roy G. Jinks

Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 - A Handbook for Collectors, by Robert J. Neal and Roy G. Jinks

I highly recommend that interested members visit Jim Supica's website at: www.armchairgunshow.com You can also order the latest edition of his book.

History of Smith & Wesson can be obtained for a very reasonable price ( and likely autographed by the author if requested) by contacting Mr. Jinks at Smith & Wesson.

Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 is out of print, but I believe used copies are available. It is still valuable, but being some odd 60 years old some of the information in it has been dated by later research.

[Sistema1927]

The extra $5 was for the "Sistema1927 Retirement in the Bahamas Fund" :D

[Old Fuff]

The extra $5 was for the "Sistema1927 Retirement in the Bahamas Fund"
__________________
Lew Wallace was an optimist.

So is Sistema1927... :evil: :D Colt charges $100.00 and up. :mad: