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LOT 1517
Attractive Huey Custom Gun Case
for a Pair of Smith & Wesson .38/44
Outdoorsman Double Action Revolvers -
Made by Huey Gun Cases of Kansas City,
Missouri, this case is constructed in the
classical “luggage” style, with a brown
leather exterior, reinforced corners, brass
furniture, and a brass and leather carry
handle, along with a set of brass stud feet
on one side to double as a display case.
The Huey tag, numbered “941”, is mounted
on the lid along with an unmarked brass
inscription plaque. The interior is red
suede lined, with spaces for two 38/44
Outdoorsman revolvers with barrel lengths
of 5 inches on both, as well as a space for
an included ebony handled brass cleaning
rod. This case was made at the consignor’s
request by Marvin Huey for the two 5”
McGivern Model .38/44 Outdoorsman
revolvers in the previous two lots that are
associated with Ed McGivern.
CONDITION: Excellent, with some minor
stains and scuffs on the exterior, and light
rubbing on the interior.
Provenance:
The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,000
LOT 1516
Desirable Documented Pre-World War II Smith & Wesson .38/44 Outdoorsman Double Action
Revolver Linked to Ed McGivern with Factory Letter and Other Documentation - Serial no. 42094, 38
S&W Special cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1933, this is an exceptionally
fine example of a pre-World War II Smith & Wesson .38/44 Outdoorsman revolver that is documented as
linked to three notable names in early 20th century handgun shooting, including the legendary Ed McGivern.
The included factory letter interesting lists this revolver alongside another revolver, serial number 42093,
which is consecutively serialized to this one and indelibly linked to it. The letter lists the configuration of both
revolvers as a 5 inch barrel, target sights, with front sight being a McGivern gold bead, and grooved tangs. It
notes that the other revolver was factory inscribed with a message from Ed McGivern to F.W. Millington. The
letter further states that this revolver was shipped on 23 May 1933 to Dr. F.H. Applegate in Racine, Wisconsin,
while the other revolver was shipped on 24 May 1933, to F.W. Millington in Hinsdale, Illinois. Both of these
men appear to have been notable revolver shooters, as well as associates of Ed McGivern, who sent them
letters sometime in early 1933, encouraging them to try the new 5 inch barrel .38/44 “McGivern Model”
revolver from Smith & Wesson. Applegate and Millington both mention McGivern’s encouragement in copies
of letters, both dated 14 April 1933, that they themselves sent to D.B. Wesson, where they requested a price
quote on one of the revolvers, both mentioning the hard financial times of the Great Depression. From their
respective letters, it appears that both Applegate and Millington were involved with teaching handgun
shooting, with Applegate mentioning that he was involved in training local police. Also included are copies
of D.B. Wesson’s responses to both of these men, both of which seem hand crafted and personalized in
response. In a copy of an article by the consignor written for the “Smith & Wesson Collector Association
Journal”, Michael Priwer notes that because Millington requested the inscription on his revolver, Smith &
Wesson was obliged to make two revolvers in the same configuration in case the engraving was botched.
This worked out just fine for the company, considering Applegate had already requested another revolver
in the same configuration. Thus, two nearly identical revolvers were produced by Smith & Wesson that are
consecutively serialized, both recommended by Ed McGivern, and then both ordered by two of his associates
on the same day. Applegate and Millington quite possibly did not know each other and were only connected
through their shared association with McGivern, making it truly incredible that these revolvers were
eventually reunited some 60 years later.
LOT 1515
Desirable Documented Pre-World War II
Factory Presentation Gold-Inlaid Inscription
Smith & Wesson .38/44 Outdoorsman
Double Action Revolver from Ed McGivern
to F.W. Millington with Factory Letter
and Other Documentation - Serial no.
42093, 38 S&W Special cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1933, this is an
exceptionally fine example of a pre-World War II Smith & Wesson
.38/44 Outdoorsman revolver that is documented as linked to
three notable names in early 20th century handgun shooting, including the
legendary Ed McGivern. This revolver bears a factory gold-inlaid inscription on the
right of the frame that reads “From Ed McGivern to F.W. Millington”. The included
factory letter interestingly lists this revolver alongside another revolver, serial number
42094, which is consecutively serialized to this one and indelibly linked to it. The letter lists the configuration
of both revolvers as a 5 inch barrel, target sights, with front sight being a McGivern gold bead, and grooved tangs.
It notes that this revolver was factory inscribed with the previously mentioned presentation message. The letter further
states that this revolver was shipped on 24 May 1933, to F.W. Millington in Hinsdale, Illinois, while the other revolver was shipped
on 23 May 1933 to Dr. F.H. Applegate in Racine, Wisconsin. Both of these men appear to have been notable revolver shooters, as well
as associates of Ed McGivern, who sent them letters sometime in early 1933, encouraging them to try the new 5 inch barrel .38/44
“McGivern Model” revolver from Smith & Wesson. Millington and Applegate both mention McGivern’s encouragement in copies
of letters, both dated 14 April 1933, that they themselves sent to D.B. Wesson, where they requested a price quote on one of the
revolvers, both mentioning the hard financial times of the Great Depression. F.W. Millington is pictured aiming a revolver on p. 136 in McGivern’s book,
“Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting”, where he notes Millington as a “most outstanding performer” and a “former pupil and associate of the author”. From
their respective letters, it appears that both Millington and Applegate were involved with teaching handgun shooting, likely passing on lessons previously
learned from McGivern. In the letter from Millington, he personally requests the inscription on the revolver and also requests the revolver be shipped to
McGivern for him to test and craft a holster for it. Also included are copies of D.B. Wesson’s responses to both of these men, both of which are personalized
in response. In a copy of an article by the consignor written for the “Smith & Wesson Collector Association Journal”, Michael Priwer notes that because
Millington requested the inscription, Smith & Wesson was obliged to make two revolvers in the same configuration in case the engraving was botched.
This worked out just fine for the company, considering Applegate had already requested another revolver in the same configuration. Thus, two nearly identical
revolvers were produced by Smith & Wesson that are consecutively serialized, both recommended by Ed McGivern, and then both ordered by two of his associates
on the same day. Millington and Applegate quite possibly did not know each other and were only connected through their shared association with McGivern, making it truly
incredible that these revolvers were eventually reunited some 60 years later.
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