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LOT 3565
Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson
.38/32 Terrier Pre-Model 32 Double
Action Revolver with Factory Letter
and Box - Serial no. 67919, 38 S&W cal., 2
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
The included factory letter states that
this revolver was manufactured in 1953
based on the serial number and that the
record is open listing no shipment date.
It also states that it is likely the revolver
was retained by the factory and engraved
as a display piece. This revolver certainly
fits that bill as the vast majority of
surfaces, including the front sight, display
magnificent relief floral scroll engraving with interspersed swallows
indicative of a bygone era. The revolver, surprisingly, displays several
different styles of floral scroll suggesting it could have been used as
sampler of the styles available at the time as well as having a portion of
the sideplate left blank for an inscription. The left side of the grip frame
is marked with a factory return date of July 1977 (777) with the factory
return “diamond s” on the bottom of the barrel and rear of the cylinder.
Fitted with round blade front and frame notch rear sights, and a set of
diamond checkered grips with silver S&W medallions. Matching serial numbers are present on the butt, cylinder, bottom of the barrel, and right grip. Includes an unnumbered S&W red box with correct end label.
CONDITION: Excellent as factory refinished, retaining 99% plus blue finish with minimal handling marks and a light cylinder drag line. Grips are very fine with a small chip on the right grip and repaired chip on the left grip. Mechanically excellent. Box is very good.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3566
Documented Factory Engraved Smith
& Wesson .38 Chiefs Special Double Action Revolver of Kansas City, Missouri Police Chief Bernard Brannon with Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 48543, 38 S&W special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, rosewood grips. A legendary figure in police circles, Chief Brannon served as Kansas City’s Chief of Police from 1952
to 1961 and is widely recognized in law
enforcement history as an innovator of
post-war policing techniques and methods,
specifically the introduction of the one man patrol car. During his tenure,
Chief Brannon presided over a number of investigations that received
national attention, most prominently the heinous kidnapping and murder
of Bobby Greenlease, 8 year old son of a prominent Kansas City family, a
case that shocked the nation and is still cited today in child murder cases.
This 1953-1954 manufactured Pre-Model 36 Chiefs Special revolver was
presented to Chief Brannon and features factory scroll engraving covering
the barrel, frame and cylinder flats. The included factory letter states this
revolver was shipped on January 27, 1955 and delivered to Richards & Conover Hardware
Co., Kansas City, Missouri with a 2 inch barrel, class “B” factory engraving, and smooth
rosewood round butt grips. Four-screw frame, standard barrel markings and the S&W
logo on the left side of the frame. Blade front and frame notch rear sights, casehardened trigger and hammer, and fitted with smooth rosewood grips with silver S&W medallions. Complete in a period correct red two-piece box and “Helpful Hints” instruction brochure. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from the family to whom the revolver was given to by Chief Brannon prior to his death, including highlights of his law enforcement career.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 99% refinished blue finish with a few overall scattered minor dings and handling marks. The hammer and trigger retain 95% original bright case colors. The original smooth rosewood grips are very good with a few very minor handling impressions. The engraving and markings are clear and crisp. Mechanically excellent. The box is good plus with some corner wear.
Provenance: Chief of Police Bernard Brannon; Joesph C. Pruett, Jr.; Lieutenant Joesph C. Pruett.
362 Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 3567
Documented Smith & Wesson 38 Safety
Hammerless 5th Model Double Action Bicycle
Revolver with Rare 1 1/2 inch Barrel and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 259369, 38 S&W cal., 1 1/2 inch solid
rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The included
factory letter lists this revolver in .38 S&W with rare 1 1/2 inch
barrel, nickel finish, and checkered black hard rubber grips when shipped to Whittaker, Holtsinger Hardware Co. in Morristown, TN,
on April, 28, 1931. It is fitted with a pinned round blade front and
latch notch rear sights. Matching serial numbers are marked on the butt, cylinder, barrel, latch, and right grip.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 97% plus original nickel finish with some minor handling marks, a cylinder drag line, and crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3568
Rare and Excellent
Smith & Wesson 38
Safety Hammerless
5th Model Double
Action Bicycle Revolver
with Pearl Grips and
Box - Serial no. 258416,
38 S&W cal., 2 inch solid
rib bbl., blue finish,
medallion pearl grips.
Manufactured circa 1907
to 1940 with this example fitted with the rare 2 inch barrel. The
barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON” on the left side, and the
caliber marking is stamped on the right side. The frame has
the S&W trademark along with “MADE IN U.S.A.” on the right
side. Matching serial number on butt, cylinder, barrel and
latch. Fitted with pearl grips. Includes original Smith & Wesson
maroon box with end label showing a 2 written over “3 1/4”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 99% plus original blue finish,
minimal handling marks, and a faint cylinder drag line. Grips are very fine with a hairline age crack coming off the screw escutcheon and an attractive fiery coloration. Mechanically excellent. Box is very good with glue repairs and a worn end label and edge wear.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3569
Smith & Wesson 38 Safety Hammerless 5th
Model Double Action Bicycle Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 261225, 38 S&W cal., 2
inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, relief carved walnut grips.
The included factory letter lists this revolver with a rare
2 inch barrel, blue finish, fixed sights, and black hard rubber checkered round butt grips when shipped on June 24, 1940, to
Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Company. The revolver currently
wears a set of period custom oak leaf relief carved grips. Matching serial numbers present on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and latch. Per the consignor, this revolver is from the estate of Navy Commander Jack Edward Varney. Varney served as the commanding officer on the USS Guide from July 10, 1965-1967. The USS Guide would take part in Operation Market Time after falling under Varney’s command, working to deny the Viet Cong supply lines.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 97% original finish, some light handling marks, muzzle wear, light spotting, and a light cylinder drag line. Grips are very fine with some scattered handling marks, crisp carving. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Navy Commander Jack Edward Varney; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750