Question about S&W factory laser engraving on 586-2

[silicosys4]

Hello, hoping somebody has some information about these engravings.

I have this 586-2 that came with some sort of factory laser engravings that, while cosmetically challenged imo, is kind of interesting.
At least I assume they are factory engravings, because I have seen almost the exact same pattern with the arrow and scrollwork on three other 6 inch 586-2's online.
However, nobody seems to know the origin of the pattern. One person did mention that the arrow engraving was on run of 586's ordered by a distributor some time in the 1980's and is part of their logo, but I don't know how accurate that info is.
Has anyone seen the S&W factory laser engraving design catalog and remember seeing this design as a factory option?
Or does anybody remember the arrow logo from a distributor from that time period?
I guess my next step is a factory letter from S&W if I can't find some info on the origin of this design. I would like to see if this is just part of a generic catalog design option somebody picked out, or part of a special order run to a distributor... and who that distributor might be. My S&W book doesn't mention any engraved distributor runs, so I don't know how much help a letter would be.
Thanks all.

 

[Boxhead]

Can't help you with the arrow but a lot of the rest looks similar as that on my M657 that came from Lew Horton. It was made for them by Smith & Wesson in July of 1998 and is one of 150 they distributed. This direct from Lew Horton.

 

[Jim K]

Lew Horton is a big MA distributor with enough clout to have stuff specially made, not only by S&W, but by other gun and gear companies as well.

But whoever did their web site is not a Classic scholar. It says some new products are engraved "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" in the "original Latin spelling." ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ is Greek.

Jim

 

[rswartsell]

Spartan King Leonidas at Thermopylae pass, Sept. 480 BC. When the Persian army of Xerxes told the 300 to give up their arms and they would live, his reply was "come and get them" or untranslated, "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ".

The inspiration I believe for Gen. Anthony McAuliffe of the 101st Airborne when in Dec.'44 he was presented the same ultimatum by elements of the German 7th Army in the town of Bastonge, Belgium. It translated in the American English of late '44 to "Nuts".

Since adopted as a 2nd amendment rallying cry for many (ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ that is, perhaps "Nuts" should be too?). This post for the benefit of those who may not yet be aware. To those of you whom already knew, we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.