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LOT 1181
Documented Texas
Shipped Smith & Wesson Third Model .44 Ejector
Target Double Action Revolver Inscribed to Texas Lawman Jess
Sweeten with Factory Letter and Signed Affidavit - Serial no. 41281, 44 S&W special cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish,
stag grips. Manufactured in 1932, this revolver belonged to the legendary Texas lawman, Jess
Sweeten, who had just been elected Henderson County sheriff the year this revolver was received.
As documented by the included factory letter, this was shipped on 14 December 1932 and delivered to Eugene Spenser Hardware Co. in Athens, Texas along with a matching revolver in the next lot. The revolver was ordered through Cullum & Bourne Co. in Dallas with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut
grips. The included 1975 dated affidavit signed by Jess Sweeten lists the revolver by serial number and states that
he carried it during two gun fights. The first was when a man entered the jail and beat up the cook. When confronted in Athens, he put up a gun battle and was shot
six times with this revolver and “was dropped in his tracks.” The second gun battle was with the guard of a dice game, who fired at Sweeten, who then returned fire and
states, “he dropped right there.” The revolver was period modified to Sweeten’s liking, including shortening the barrel to 3 1/4 inches, nickel finish, stag grips, and “JESS
SWEETEN” engraved on the right of the frame. The barrel markings are partially removed/obscured by the barrel shortening and repositioning of the front sight blade.
It otherwise has standard markings and features.
CONDITION: Fine as period modified and refinished to legendary Texas lawman, Jess Sweeten’s specifications, retaining 90% plus of the nickel plating with slightly
softened markings and scattered light handling marks throughout, typical of a law enforcement sidearm. The period replaced grips are very fine with minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. A historic Texas law enforcement revolver documented to the iconic, sheriff Sweeten!
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
Sweeten notes that he fired at the brigand through his own windshield and the marks on the muzzle are due to using it to make the hole in the glass larger.
LOT 1182
Documented Texas Shipped Smith & Wesson Third Model .44 Ejector Target Double Action Revolver Inscribed to Texas Lawman Jess Sweeten with Factory Letter and Signed Affidavit - Serial no. 41258, 44 S&W special cal., 3 1/4 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, stag grips. Manufactured in 1932, this revolver belonged to the legendary Texas lawman, Jess Sweeten, who had just been elected Henderson County sheriff the year this revolver was received. As documented by the included factory letter, this was shipped on 14 December 1932 and
delivered to Eugene Spenser Hardware Co. in Athens, Texas along with the matching revolver in the previous lot. The revolver was ordered through Cullum & Bourne Co. in Dallas with
a 5 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips. The included 1975 dated affidavit signed by Jess Sweeten lists the revolver by serial number and states that he carried it in a famous gunfight. This revolver was carried in Sweeten’s gunfight with an outlaw known as “The Texas Kid” on 7 July 1943. The Texas Kid had murdered six people and received the death
penalty on two separate occasions. He had broken out of prison and was on the run living in Louisiana while making hijacking trips back into Texas. On the day of the gunfight the Texas Kid had taken a car
salesman hostage before heading down highway 175 where he was intercepted by Sweeten in Athens. Sweeten pulled up beside the outlaw, who fired at his car, kicking off a multi-county pursuit. Sweeten
eventually managed to flip the outlaw’s stolen car but he emerged still shooting. Sweeten notes that he fired at the brigand through his own windshield and the marks on the muzzle are due to using it to make the hole in the glass larger. The outlaw was hit once through the heart with a bullet fired from this gun. The revolver was period modified to Sweeten’s liking, including shortening the barrel to 3 1/4 inches, nickel finish, stag grips, and “JESS SWEETEN” engraved on the right of the frame. The barrel markings are partially removed/obscured by the barrel shortening and repositioning of the front sight blade. It otherwise has standard markings and features.
CONDITION: Very good as period modified and refinished to sheriff Jess Sweeten’s specifications, retaining 90% plus of the nickel plating, some slightly softened markings, light handling marks, and a few minor gouges at the muzzle from the windshield glass as mentioned in the affidavit. The grips are very fine showing an attractively aged tone and minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. A revolver used by a Texas lawman to bring a notorious outlaw to justice, that would make a fine addition to your collection!
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
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