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LOT 499
Two Smith & Wesson Double Action Revolvers Carried by a Nevada Deputy Sheriff with Holster and Two Sheriff Badges -A) Smith & Wesson King Super Target .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change Revolver - Serial no. 653257, 38 S&W special cal., 6 inch vent rib bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. These two Smith & Wesson revolvers were carried by Washoe County, Nevada Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant Robert F. Washburn (1909-1992). In the accompanying typewritten, unsigned letter, Lt. Washburn’s nephew reminisces about the deputy sheriff who treated his nephew like a son. The nephew’s childhood was filled with memories of his uncle taking him to father-son events put on by the local Masonic Lodge and riding along with this uncle in the sheriff’s car. The nephew’s father was also a Washoe County Deputy Sheriff whose law enforcement career abruptly ended when seriously injured from being struck by a car driven by an intoxicated driver while on duty helping victims of a car accident and it is his father’s picture (copy) that is included. A native of New York City, Robert F. Washburn was born on September 27, 1909, was a World War II Army veteran, moved to Reno, Nevada, in 1947, retired from the Washoe County Sheriff’s office in 1971 (achieved the rank of lieutenant in 1962), and died in January 1992 at the age of 82. Period newspapers articles piece together highlights from Lt. Washburn’s tenure with the sheriff’s office. There were high speed car chases, rounding up drunken teenagers, making traffic arrests, giving testimony in manslaughter cases, and interviewing and escorting murder suspects. There were also harrowing incidents such a subduing a man who pulled out a knife during a routine traffic stop, receiving a broken finger and lacerations during an altercation with a prison inmate, and storming the home of an individual who threatened law enforcement officers with dynamite.
Accompanying these handguns are two of Lt. Washburn’s Washoe County, Nevada Deputy Sheriff badges. These badges are the classic six-pointed star pattern, and each badge comes in a black leather badge holder. The first badge features Lt. Washburn’s name on the front and has an inlaid stone. The badge holder contains a laminated Miranda Warning card and a business card for George F. Cake Co., a law enforcement equipment dealer in California. The second badge is inscribed “LIEUTENANT” and is marked on the back “ENTENMANN/GENUINE/’PLATILOY’/ON/’CARLTONE’/LOS ANGELES, 15.” The badge holder is embossed “WASHOE CO. SHERIFF’S OFFICE/Reno, Nevada/Robert F. Washburn” on the exterior and contains Washburn’s deputy sheriff’s ID card and several of Washburn’s deputy sheriff business cards. Finally, there are several used match target score cards with many signed by Washburn.
The “A” gun was manufactured in 1915-1942 with this example featuring a full vent rib King Super Target package. The vent rib is marked “S&W- KING SUPER TARGET” on the left side. There is a red bead front sight on a mirror base, a fully adjustable white outlined square notch rear sight, and a trigger shoe. The revolver wears an after-market Fitz Ten-O-Grip as installed by Lt. Washburn. Matching serial numbers are found on the butt, cylinder, and barrel. Includes a sight adjustment tool and Brauer Brothers open top/open toe leather holster. CONDITION: Very fine overall, retaining 95% original blue finish with wear and handling marks associated with being carried by a Nevada deputy sheriff for many years and grips with crisp checkering. The holster is very good. Mechanically excellent. This grouping stands as a great tribute to law enforcement heritage and will be a welcomed addition to any law enforcement or S&W collection. B) Smith & Wesson .38 Chiefs Special (Pre-Model 36) Revolver - Serial no. 30897, 38 S&W special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. The “B” gun is a Smith & Wesson .38 Chiefs Special (Pre-Model 36) Revolver. This model was introduced in 1950. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder and barrel. The revolver wears an after-market Fitz Ten-O-Grip as installed by Lt. Washburn. CONDITION: Very fine overall, retaining 90% original blue finish showing wear and handling marks associated with being carried by a Nevada deputy sheriff for many years and grips with crisp checkering. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 500
Mining Company Shipped Smith & Wesson .22 Hand Ejector Third Model Target “Ladysmith” Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter and Holster - Serial no. 23692, 22 S&W cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The included factory letter lists this revolver with a 6 inch barrel, adjustable rear target sight, blue finish, and walnut grips when shipped on February 19, 1914 to the Phelps Dodge Mining Co. in Bisbee, Arizona. At the time of shipping, Phelps Dodge was running the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee. This mine was likely the final destination for this pistol. The Copper Queen Mine was first opened when United States Army scout Jack Dunn found a deposit of lead carbonate while searching for a better water source than the one his unit had been drinking from. Dunn began working with a prospector named George Warren who promised to name Dunn as the main proprietor of any mines he founded. After running out on the deal with Dunn, Warren would loose his claims to the Copper Queen Mine through a series of drunken gambling blunders culminating in him betting that he could outrun a man on horseback. The mine would be run by Phelps Dodge from 1885 to 1975 where they would use their new methods of smelting to extract copper from the very rich ground. Ultimately the mine would close in 1975 and converted to be a tourist attraction in the area by offering mine tours. Included with the revolver is a lightly tooled leather holster with “4756/22 6” on the loop. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% plus original blue finish, some high edge wear, muzzle wear, scratches along the right side of the barrel, and a spot of light pitting on the sideplate. Grips are excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Holster is very fine with some wear from use on the flap and a popped stitch. This would make a magnificent addition to any Americana collection! Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500