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LOT 297
Attractive Oscar Young
Engraved and King Super
Target Upgraded Smith & Wesson Military & Police
Model 1905 First Change Double Action Revolver with
Ivory Grips, Box, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 94094, 38 S&W special cal., 5 inch
vent rib bbl., blue finish, ivory grips. According to the included factory letter, this gorgeous
revolver was shipped from the factory on August 7th, 1907, to a Walter G. C. Clark, address unknown. The letter also states that, while no details
are listed, the revolver was indeed shipped as a special order. The revolver is the early five-screw variant and is adorned with beautifully cut
factory scroll engraving over a punchdot background on the barrel, frame, cylinder, and grip straps. Aside from the engraving, the revolver is
fitted with a highly attractive set of smooth ivory grips which bear Smith & Wesson logo medallions on either panel. The revolver is also fitted
with a later-added King Super Target vent rib with red blade inset, a micro-click rear sight, and King’s “Cockeyed” right handed hammer. The revolver has
matching assembly numbers on the yoke and frame along with the matching serial number on the barrel, cylinder, and butt. According to noted Smith &
Wesson collector David Carroll, the engraving on this gun is the reason it is noted in factory records as a “special order”. It was engraved by the renowned
Oscar Young, eldest son of Gustave Young. Oscar succeeded his father as Master Engraver upon Gustave’s death in 1897 and led the engraving department
until his own untimely death in 1912. Included is a correct model factory box with very faint (illegible) serial number on the underside.
CONDITION: Very fine as engraved and Smith & Wesson King upgraded with 90% plus blue finish, showing a gray patina on the grip straps, a few minor
scratches on the frame, and light handling marks overall. The ivory grips are excellent with some age lines around the butt and left medallion and an
attractive grain and color on both panels. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with minor storage wear.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 296
King Gun Sight Co. Shipped, H. H. Hilton Signed Engraved
Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th
Change Double Action Target Revolver with Round Butt,
Carved Ivory Grip and Factory Letter - Serial no. 678334, 38
S&W special cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, carved ivory grips.
The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold to
Powell & Clement, Cincinnati, Ohio, and shipped express to the
King Gun Sight Co. of San Francisco, California, on April 17, 1939.
Unfortunately, the factory invoice detailed record for this revolver was damaged and additional information is unavailable.
A copy of a September 26, 1939, letter on Powell & Clement Co. letterhead and addressed to S&W indicates the revolver was
returned to the S&W factory for refinishing, obviously after it was engraved and the custom work by King was completed.
This rare 4 inch barrel round butt target revolver features King Co. special sights: a King red bead front sight on a mirror base
(partially covering barrel legend) and S&W adjustable white outlined square notch rear sight. The revolver is decorated with an
attractive floral scroll motif on matted background by Herbert Hardie Hilton, who has signed his work on the underside of the
barrel. The revolver wears a set of grips featuring matching carved floral scrollwork. The revolver has a humpback hammer and
matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, and barrel.
Herbert Hardie Hilton (1886-1974) was born in Webster, South Dakota, and later settled in Detroit, Michigan. Based on Michael Helms research, Hilton is first mentioned as an engraver in the 1910 Detroit
City Directory and in 1911 was listed as an engraver for the Weyhing Brothers Manufacturing Company known for producing police badges. Before 1920 Hilton’s other jobs included Cadillac Motor Car Co.
parts inspector and salesman. He lived in Detroit until at least 1942 as he moved with his sister’s family to Oneida, New York. In 1946 he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he remained as an engraver until his death (November 3,
1974). His self-employed engraving career spanned some 40 years. In a 1949 article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Hilton’s engraving talents are celebrated by stating: “Only two recognized commercial engravers now remaining
outside of Forth Worth are Art Griebel of Chicago and Herbert Hilton of Phoenix, Ariz...” In another article from 1950 featured in The News and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina, Hilton is referred to as a “topnotch contemporary
engraver.” The engraving displayed on this revolver certainly speaks to Hilton’s talents. Helm’s letter detailing Hilton’s short biography and a couple of copies of related newspaper articles and obituary are also included.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as engraved by Herbert H. Hilton, retaining 98% of the S&W factory applied blue finish with mild muzzle wear, few scattered handling marks, a couple areas of light spotting. The special hammer
knurling was cut as part of the King Gunsight enhancements. The grips are very fine, with a few typical age lines and crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive and uniquely engraved and signed S&W M&P Round
Butt Target Revolver shipped to the famed King Gun Sight Co.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500