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LOT 1528
Outstanding Documented Special Order Smith & Wesson Centennial Pre-Model 40
Double Action Revolver Inscribed to Cecil R. King with Bird’s Eye Maple Grips, Original Box,
and Factory Letter - Serial no. 1026, 38 Special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, maple grips.
Manufactured in 1953, this is an outstanding example of a factory special ordered and inscribed Smith
& Wesson Centennial pre-Model 40 revolver. Only approximately 10,000 of these Centennial Model
revolvers were produced with the steel frames, while another 30,000 or so were made with alloy frames
in “Airweight” configuration. The included factory letter lists this revolver with a 2 inch barrel, bright
blue finish, smooth bird’s eye maple grips, and engraved “Cecil R. King” when shipped on 3 July 1953, and delivered to Honorable
Cecil R. King in Washington, D.C. The left of the barrel is marked with Smith & Wesson in one line, while the caliber marking is on the
right. The right side of the frame is marked with the four-line Smith & Wesson address and “Cecil R. King” engraved in the form of his
signature, while the Smith & Wesson trademark is on the left. It is fitted with a ramped blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight,
concealed hammer, grip safety, and a pair of very attractive, smooth, bird’s eye maple grips. Cecil R. King (1898-1974) joined the U.S.
Army and served as a private during World War I. After the war, King was involved in local business in California before being elected
to the California State Assembly. In 1941, he was elected to U.S. congress representing California’s 17th District and served in that
role and on various committees in congress until 1969. Included with this revolver is the original box with factory label marked for
a Chiefs Special, which is over-stamped with “CENTENNIAL” twice, and the bottom is marked with “Bright” and the matching serial
number, both handwritten. The revolver in the previous lot is also inscribed the Congressman King.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original bright blue finish with a light cylinder drag line. The grips are also excellent
with only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The box is excellent with some very light corner
wear and a few light handling marks.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1527
Rare “Zero Series”
Smith & Wesson
K-22 Outdoorsman
“Club Gun” Double
Action Revolver
Presented to
Congressman
Cecil R. King with
Factory Letter -
Serial no. 0450, 22 LR
cal., 6 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured
in 1947, this is a
very rare example
of a “Zero Series” serial
number Smith & Wesson K-22
Outdoorsman revolver. Also known as
“Club Guns,” Smith & Wesson’s with “0” prefix serial numbers were given or loaned to
factory personnel, shooting clubs and notable shooters as samples or test guns, as well
as being presented to prominent figures. This particular example is documented as delivered to Congressman Cecil R. King, a long time member
of the National Rifle Association’s Board of Directors and one of the founders of the NRA’s Gun Collector’s Committee. The included factory letter
lists the revolver with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, and post-World War II checkered walnut magna grips. It states that the revolver was delivered
to Congressman Cecil King on 15 July 1947, and that the revolver’s production and gifting was authorized by Harold O. Austin, sales manager at
Smith & Wesson, and that it was the last prewar style K-22 Outdoorsman produced. Congressman Cecil R. King (1898-1974) served as a member
of the United States House of Representatives from California’s 17th congressional district for 14 terms (1942-1969). He enlisted in the U.S. Army
during World War I and served as a private from 1917 to 1918. His first run in politics came in 1933 when he became
a member of the California State Assembly where he remained until 1942 when he was elected by special
election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s King was at the forefront
for the push of Medicare legislation. As a member of the House of Representatives, King was the co-author of the King-Anderson Act (later named the Medicare Act) along with Senator
Clinton Anderson of New Mexico laying all the important groundwork for Medicare, and was credited by President Lyndon Johnson at the signing the Medicare Act into law on July 30,
1965. The barrel has the Smith & Wesson and caliber markings on the left and the right. The right side of the frame is marked with the standard trademark and “MADE IN U.S.A.”, as well
as “Cecil R. King” engraved on the side-plate. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and bottom of the barrel. The matching assembly number is
marked on the frame and crane. It is fitted with a pinned Patridge blade front sight with inlaid platinum bead, adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of checkered walnut Magna grips
with “S&W” monogram medallions. Includes a correct factory box with label on the bottom numbered to the gun, as well as a copy of a 1949 dated note from service manager W.W.
Sandborn to service department foreman N.E. Blanchard authorizing the preparation of a K-22 Outdoorsman revolver for Mr. H.O. Austin to be presented to Congressman King. It
also states that when the revolver is completed to provide him with the side-plate to have it engraved. It is unclear why there is a discrepancy between the date of this note and the
factory letter, but it may be a factory error. The revolver in the following lot is also inscribed the Congressman King.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original blue finish with very light handling evidence and a light cylinder turn line. The grips are also excellent with a few very light
handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very rare “zero series”/”Club Gun” Pre-war K-22 Outdoorsman revolver, the last example ever manufactured!
Provenance: The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 9,500
Collector’s Fact
According to authors Jim Supica and Richard Nahas, it is
speculated that across the whole of Smith & Wesson production,
only some 750 "Club Guns" guns were produced, and
approximately 50 were made especially for the Wesson family.
Cecil R. King
471