The accompanying factory letter lists this Harry Jarvis engraved revolver signed with the letter "J" in the barrel shroud with a factory engraving, 8 3/8 inch barrel, target hammer, blue finish and smooth rosewood target grips (currently checkered walnut) when it was shipped to H.H. Harris Co. of Chicago, IL on January 14, 1955. The shipment contained four guns with Class A engraving and 3 guns with Class B engraving, but the factory records did not identify the classes of engraving by serial numbers. This revolver has a Class A engraving. Matching serial numbers are on the butt, cylinder and ejector shroud, and matching assembly numbers are on the yoke and crane. Harry Jarvis was S&W's master engraver for many years and worked for the company over 50 year total from 1903 to 1955.

Excellent plus. The revolver retains over 99% original blue finish showing a light cylinder drag line and a few light handling marks. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are excellent with a couple of nicks in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically fine as trigger is slow to return to the ready position once the action is cycled. This documented factory engraved Pre-Model 27 will make a great addition to any S&W magnum collection.