S&W Letter of Authenticity

[Fun2Shoot]

I recently read about the S&W Letter of Authenticity and decided to pay the $30 and order one for my S&W M&P from the 1950's.

I had my son take some digital pic's of it and filled out the S&W form that I down loaded and printed. The form asks some basic questions and Mr. Roy Jinks, S&W Historian does the rest.

I'm excited about getting the Letter. I've never ordered such a thing. Colt will provide one, but they want $100 IIRC No dice Chicago! That's too bad. I have a 1913 model 1911 Colt and would like to know more about it than I have gained from the M1911 forums. Oh well.

If and when I sell this S&W M&P, the S&W Letter of Authenticity should add value or at least interest, to a potential buyer.

I'll report on the Letter when I get it.

 

[Z_Infidel]

I'm awaiting such a letter from S&W on my all-steel 1911PD since it was never a cataloged model. At some point I might request one for my TR 22-4 as well, just to have it.

 

[Old Fuff]

As a rule of thumb, these letters are well worth he modest fee if you have a collectable or unusual Smith & Wesson, or one that's been handed down through the family and will continue to be so. Also if you sell the gun later, most buyers will be glad to pay you an extra $30.00 for the letter so they don't have to go the the trouble of getting their own.

What most people don't know is that Smith & Wesson gives half of that $30.00 fee to support the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team, and only keeps $15.00 for themselves.

The other company that charges the big bucks keeps it all for themselves.

 

[VonFatman]

Old Fluff,
Hey, I didn't know that! That's a good deal. I like that kind of thinking. That raises my impression of S&W a notch or two!

Thanks for sharing.

Bob

 

[Old Fuff]

Thank S&W Historian, Roy G. Jinks...

I believe he was the one who sold the company on the idea.

Incidentally, if you should order a letter (or even if you don't) send an extra $15.00 and he'll send you a copy of his book, History of Smith & Wesson.

As it was written back in 1977 (11th printing in 1992) it's a bit dated, but it contains a lot of good information on the company and its products up to 1977. An autograph is free for the asking.

 

[VonFatman]

Old FLuff,
Thanks for the info....I have lettered one of my Smiths. I hope Mr. Jinks will be in St. Louis at the NRA Convention...I'll be there with his book....looking to shake hands and ask for an autograph.

Bob

 

[Old Fuff]

There is a fair chance he'll be there, and he is known to autograph his books while discussing the finer points of Smith & Wesson's with his many fans. You will find him to be a delightful gentleman.

 

[OPOEFC]

Yes, Roy will be at the NRA Convention in St. Louis. If you attend don't miss the S&W Collectors Assoc. display of the Jim Fischer collection. You won't live long enough to ever see such an assembledge of rare & important S&Ws all in one display ever again.

 

[VonFatman]

OPOEFC,
Thanks for the head's up. I'm already excited to see the exhibits and displays!

Bob

 

[Morglan]

Would there be any reason to order one of these letters for a newer revolver?

(Say, one that's 10 - 20 years old that you picked up used w/ no paperwork, but isn't a limited edition?)

 

[VonFatman]

Morglan,
It would not make much sense to request a letter on a new gun. All it would tell you is what you already know...that the gun was shipped to perhaps Davidson's or some other supplier. I doubt it would show it making it's way to your dealer.

Letters are generally requested on used S&Ws to find out:

*How the gun left the factory (i.e. if it was nickel, if it had a target trigger, etc.). Did it have any special features?

*It's the best way to get a firm handle on the gun's date of manufacture.

*Another purpose, to find out where the gun was shipped after it left the factory. My M28-2 was shipped to a hardware store in the midwest.

I've only lettered one gun, it was my wedding gift from my wife and I knew it had been refinished (nickel) and I wanted to letter the gun for sentimental reasons.

Hope this helps.

Bob

 

[Old Fuff]

Would there be any reason to order one of these letters for a newer revolver?

There could be. Say you have children (or a child) and you decide to buy a gun (or guns) that you plan to be handed down through the family from one generation to the next.

By the time they get to your grand children (or great-grand children) Mr, Jinks isn't going to be around, and Lord knows where those old records will be. Getting those guns lettered now while you can would be very wise...

Otherwise the service is generally used by collectors. For example, I recently picked up an old turn-of-the-20th-century, D.A. .38 top-break. Now I'm sure that this exciting news is not going to shake up many members - even those who are interested in Smith & Wesson. But the interesting thing is that the serial number substantially pre-dates the one listed in several reference books as the one where this particular issue started...

I will get it lettered...