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Four more photographs (copies) of Franklin throughout his law enforcement career are also included. Copies of a Western Union telegram from Senator Bratton’s office and a letter to Congressman Chavez from FBI Director Hoover confirm Franklin was appointed to the position of FBI special agent in
1932 and a letter from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover confirms Franklin retired from the FBI in 1956. A copy of the City of Albuquerque November 22, 1957, memo confirms Franklin was appointed Public Safety Director as well as a local period newspaper article. This newspaper article provided additional details about Franklin’s time with the FBI: “His FBI career included assignment to the kidnapping
squad which was involved in the sensation Weyerhaeuser, Mattson and Ursell cases; anti-sabotage
and espionage surveys for industrial plants, civilian defense and national security activities. He was also police training and firearms expert with the FBI for many years.”The three cases mentioned in the article were all separate kidnappings that garnered national headlines. These were among the first high profile kidnappings the FBI investigated since the passing of the Lindbergh Law that defined kidnapping as a federal offense. The kidnapping of 9 year old George Weyerhaeuser, son of lumber tycoon J.P. Weyerhaeuser, occurred in 1935 and was resolved successfully after the ransom was paid. The kidnappers were later caught and sentenced to prison. The kidnapping and brutal murder of 10 year old Charles Fletcher Mattson remains unsolved. “Ursell” is likely a misspelling for Charles Frederick Urschel, the business tycoon and kidnap victim of infamous gangster George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Urschel survived the ordeal and greatly assisted the FBI in solving the crime. George Franklin passed away in 1978, and his obituary told of a harrowing FBI raid that nearly killed Franklin: “In the early gangster era of this country, George took part in many dangerous raids. On one such raid George went in close to throw in a tear gas grenade and in the gun battle that ensued George was gunned down by Clarence Sparger, a badly wanted fugitive who was wanted for bank robbery and other Federal crimes.” Agent Franklin’s Smith & Wesson .38/32 Terrier (Pre-War) revolver is in the following lot.
The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to Zark Hardware Company of Albuquerque, New Mexico, on February 23, 1951, with a 2 inch barrel in .38 Special, blue finish and type of stocks not listed. This was a four gun shipment. The revolver is fitted with a grip adapter likely by Franklin to meet his personal needs. Includes a floral tooled Wolf Brand of Albuquerque leather holster. CONDITION: Very fine as a revolver carried by an FBI special agent towards the end of his nearly 25 years of service with 95% original blue finish, minor holster type wear and thinning on the trigger guard
and back strap. The fine grips show similar “working gun” character with wear along the top of the checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fine. A Colt Detective Special revolver documented to a FBI special agent that will bring added dimension to any law enforcement collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
“Ursell” is likely a misspelling for Charles Frederick Urschel, the business tycoon and kidnap victim of infamous gangster George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Urschel survived the ordeal and greatly
assisted the FBI in solving the crime. George Franklin passed away in 1978 and his
obituary told of a harrowing FBI raid that nearly killed Franklin: “In the early gangster era
of this country, George took part in many dangerous raids. On one such raid George went in close to throw in a tear gas grenade and in the gun battle that ensued George was gunned down by Clarence Sparger, a badly wanted fugitive who was wanted for bank robbery and other Federal crimes.” Agent Franklin’s Colt Detective Special revolver is in the previous lot.
The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on March 22, 1937 (the year has
a typo) and delivered to Momsen, Dunnegan & Ryan Co. of El Paso, Texas, with a 2 inch barrel, ramp
front sight (in error as front sight is an original factory round blade), blue finish, checkered walnut grips.
The revolver was billed at $17.86. The hammer has been bobbed likely by Franklin to meet his personal
needs. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and barrel. With a leather S&W “pancake” holster.
CONDITION: Excellent, as a revolver carried by an FBI special agent with nearly 25 years of service with 95%
original blue finish remaining, authentic holster type wear, and thinning on the grip straps from years of law enforcement service. 97% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips show similar “working gun” character with well defined checkering. The holster is fine. Mechanically excellent. This FBI special agent carried S&W .38/32 Terrier (pre-war) revolver will make a fine addition to any law enforcement collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 4,000
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