Custom engraved S&W, M-40, & GOV series 80 .380 pics

[31kilo]

Well, one of my best friends father passed away recently and my buddy inherited a really nice firearms collection. It was fairly large and featured a Winchester 1866 yellowboy and several high end pieces, he had been telling me I should come check it out and today I finally got a chance to do that. He had several Smith's and several (like 8) VERY nice Colt Woodsmans.a A few model 29's including some factory engraved ones, but one Model 66-? really caught my eye. It had been custom engraved by a local guy and took him over a year to finish. I thought you guys might like to see it so I took a couple pics..............

He had some really cool stuff I can't really begin to list them, but he had been selling a few of them off and I had gone to see if there was anything I couldn't live without. I ended up picking up these two a M-40 #288xx on the bottom of the grip(can anyone date that?) and a slightly nicked up Colt Gov.380, both were carried and have some good honest wear........

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Now my friend is no sucker and he is pretty aware of market value. His dad and I were good buddies, and I don't have a bunch of money so he sold me both for $550.00. I'd say he hooked me up pretty good, but I'd like to hear what you all think, thanks. 31K

 

[los]

Very nice Model 40.

From data I've obtained on The Centennial/Model 40 series another forum, it appears that 1968 was the last year High Horn Stocks, such as yours, were issued. 1968 was also the first year the new (non-flat) cylinder latch, such as yours, was issued.

1968 was the year S&W started assigning serial numbers with the letter "L" prefix.

With that said, to obtain an accurate date of shipment, you should have yours letterd by S&W.

FYI, If you take off the stocks, be careful as you may lose a small pin that was used to deactivate the grip safety. If it's there, the Pin should be lodged in it's designated location within the grip frame on the left side.

Having the original Pin, along with the condition of your Model 40, would make it a very desireable Piece.


Here's the link to the data I've compiled...

Link to Model 40 data

 

[michael t]

he sold me both for $550.00. I'd say he hooked me up pretty good, but I'd like to hear what you all think, thanks. 31K

Where I live the Colt 380 in that shape bring what you paid for both I think you need to go back and pay little extra Just to be fair .

 

[31kilo]

Were pretty good friends and he beat me up pretty good on a pair of Penn TW30's (offshore reels) I was selling some years back, so I don't feel real guilty........