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[This] may sound crazy, but I can get
penetration from the sixgun, and [I] know
what it will do.” Later that year Keith again
spoke of his fondness of the .44 mag: “I carry a
4-inch .44 S&W mag all the time as an officers gun with my own handloads of 22 grains 2400 and Keith 250-grain bullet. As a choice between the two makes, I will take the S&W every time.”This revolver was pictured in an article pertaining “to owning a piece of Elmer Keith’s legend,” a reflection on Keith’s personal collection going up for auction later that year, published in the April 2015 issue of Guns & Ammo (this issue is included).
The Magna grips feature gold S&W monogram medallions, a gold inlaid presentation inscription shield engraved “PRESENTED TO/Elmer Keith/BY/Carl R. Hellstrom” on the left panel, and a relief carved American eagle on the right panel. George Dallas’ fine floral scroll engraving covers nearly all of the surfaces, and Dallas has signed his work “ENGRAVED BY GEORGE DALLAS” on the left grip strap. The
side plate features an engraved facsimile of Keith’s signature. The left grip strap also marked with a S&W factory August 1959 (“8 59”) return date and S&W factory “B” diamond refinish mark which is repeated on the ejector shroud and cylinder under star ejector. The revolver is fitted with red ramp front and white outline adjustable rear sights as confirmed in the factory letter. Matching serial numbers are on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud. The engraving and presentation grips are certainly fitting for the man who made the .44 Mag a reality. The included floral tooled open top/open toe holster by the famous Bohlin Co. of Hollywood follows a design by Keith
as it features a thumb strap for the revolver spur attached to a coil spring to maintain tension while also allowing for a quick release.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as a George Dallas engraved firearm presented to shooting sports legend Elmer Keith, retaining 97% of the S&W factory reapplied blue finish with muzzle wear and a light cylinder drag line. Nearly all of the case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are excellent with attractive grain, age lines and color along with
a crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fine. Keith owned and shot a great many revolvers, including others sold by Rock Island Auction, but this S&W .44 Magnum Revolver presented by S&W President Carl Hellstrom makes for a one-of-a-kind “piece of Elmer Keith’s legend.”
"Carl Hellstrom called me into his office and we put in the whole morning together...I asked him to bring out a .44 magnum and have Remington bring out the loads. He finally promised 'I'll wrap a gun around any legitimate load that Remington will bring out.'"
- Elmer Keith, "Hell, I was There!"
Provenance: The Elmer Keith Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 50,000 - 75,000
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