Cody Firearms Museum Records Office
 

Hello Mr. McKee,

Thank you for your contacting the Cody Firearms Museum Records Office. We prepare factory letters on Winchester, Marlin and LC Smith, Ithaca, and coming soon – Savage Arms, Stevens, and A.H. Fox.

A factory letter is the official report of the information contained in the original company records which the Museum cares for. The contents of each letter varies with each firearm but typically include manufacturing dates and configuration information on the firearm as it was in the factory. Customer information is rarely available as shipping and sales records no longer exist for most models.

Warehouse information would indicate a firearms original configuration, SNA would only be the date of manufacture.

The serial number provided for your Ithaca seems really high, perhaps a second look and a photo of the firearm and serial number may assist in determining whether we have a record available.

We are awaiting the availability of our newly acquired Savage, Stevens and Fox records. For Cody Firearms Museum members, we are happy to provide the informal searches – with the turn-around being approximately 3 business days.

Cody Firearms Museum membership starts at $150 per year. Members receive a number of free serial number searches and large discounts on factory letters as well as the option to purchase letter and search packages. Please see the attached membership brochure for more information.

Current factory letter fee schedule:
Winchester/Marlin/L.C. Smith/Ithaca/*Savage/*Fox $75 (non-member), $45 (CFM member)
Winchester/*Stevens SNA only (date only): $40 (non-member), $25 (CFM member)
Winchester Model 21 with Order Sheet: $120 (non-member), $90 (CFM member)
Winchester Model 21, no Order Sheet: $90 (non-member), $60 (CFM member)

*Savage, Stevens, and Fox factory letters cannot be provided at this time.

Letters are typically mailed within four weeks of placing and paying an order.

Thank you, again, for your interest. I hope we can help you in your search for information.

Angela Bertalot
Firearms Records Assistant
p: 307.578.4109
e: angelab@centerofthewest.org

So Cody and the LCSCA both provide factory letters on Smith guns?

Does anyone know if the LC Smith Organization receives their letters from Cody and then passes them along to the gun owner or would Cody have additional Information other than the LCSCA ?

Dr. Jim Stubbendeick does the letters for the LCSCA. As far as Cody having additional info I cannot answer that for sure but I think not.

Thank You Randy , the reason I ask ,I recently purchased a unique LC Smith ,I sent for a letter and a couple of pertinent details are missing although everyone who sees the pictures and has a pretty good handle on Miss Elsie seems to agree the gun is correct ! I spoke with Jim and he has never seen the one marking " Long Range " placed on the gun as this one is and as he said he can not put it in the letter if it is not in his information ! The gun is a Skeet Special ,Stamped Long Range , Vent Rib ,Pistol Grip ,Field grade snap on forend , Non Ejector ! I believe 1 of 5 that fits this description and the only one made in this guns year of manufacture ! Some one polished the receiver other than that the gun is per the letter and the " Long range " inscription is stamped oddly ! Long is on the barrel lug over Range instead of being in a straight line !

Perhaps the Smith letters from Cody are limited to the Marlin years?

Russ I would think an email to Jesi Bennett or any of the other firearms specialist at Cody would get you an answer to that question. You never know.

Randy , if you happen to have a link or know the E-Mail address of Mr. Bennet would you Please send it to me by PM ? Thank You ; Russ

That would be Ms. Bennett - first name Jessica





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Angela Bertalot
Firearms Records Assistant

p: 307.578.4109
e: angelab@centerofthewest.org