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P. 477
LOT 1538
Alvin A. White Signed,
Master Engraved, and
Gold Inlaid Smith & Wesson Model
60 Double Action Revolver Owned by
Author R. L. Wilson with Ivory Grips
and Box - Serial no. R140685, 38 S&W
Special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., stainless finish,
ivory grips. Manufactured between 1974 and
1979 and engraved by Master Engraver Alvin A.
White at the request of celebrated Colt author R. L.
Wilson. The revolver shows a ramp blade front sight with square notch rear sight
along with standard markings. The revolver shows about 70% coverage floral scroll
engraving on the frame , barrel, and cylinder, and surrounding gold inlaid three letter
monogram initials of R.L. Wilson. The piece is signed “A.A.WHITE ENGR” under the
left grip on the frame. The
revolver is fitted with a
set of smooth ivory grips.
Includes the original
factory box with “Engraved
by A. A. White” in the special features section on the label and hand written note from Wilson on the interior lid, a copy of the September 1997 issue of
“American Rifleman” containing a biographical article on White by Wilson, and a signed copy of Wilson’s book “The Peacemakers: Arms and
Adventure in the American West”.
CONDITION: Excellent, showing only minor handling evidence and a light cylinder drag line. The grips are very fine with some age lines, mainly
on the right panel. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The R.L. Wilson Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1537
Extremely Rare Documented Smith &
Wesson Model 73 “C-Frame” Double
Action Revolver, Serial Number “P13”,
Formerly of the Roy Jinks Collection
with Factory Letter and Original Box -
Serial no. P13, 38 S&W Special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1975, this is
an exceptionally rare, highly desirable, and outstanding
example of a Smith & Wesson Model 73 “C-Frame” revolver with serial number “P13”.
Two letters from Roy Jinks are included, one being a factory letter, and in both letters
he states that there are believed to be only five to ten surviving examples of the Model
73s, with this particular example being one of them. Both of the letters contain similar
information, and one of them is pertaining to the Model 73 revolver bearing serial number P9. In the
included factory letter for this revolver, Jinks states that these revolvers were originally developed in 1973 by Harold
Sibley and Don Fogg, and that they were intended to be a direct competitor for Colt’s Detective Special revolver. Smith
& Wesson applied for a patent in 1973 but failure to obtain it delayed the production until 1975. He states that, initially,
5,000 units of this revolver were produced and released for assembly in December of 1975. During assembly, it was
discovered that the offset cylinder stop was causing issues with assembly and delayed the Model 73 further. At the time, there was federal gun
control legislation being pushed that included a ban on all two inch barreled handguns, leading to Smith & Wesson reevaluating the design of the
Model 73. After a redesign by Henry Into, it was decided that the Model 73 “C-Frame” project was too expensive and was ultimately abandoned by the company.
Jinks states that all but ten of the 5,000 revolver units were scrapped, with the ten either being retained by the factory or presented to executives. He goes on
to state that this specific revolver, serial number “P13”, was presented to him in November of 1976 and that in July of 1996 four others were released for public
sale. The revolver itself has the typical Smith & Wesson and caliber markings on the left and right
sides of the barrel, while the Smith & Wesson trademark and address on the on the left and right of
the frame. The serial number “P13” is marked on the butt and the frame under the crane, and the
assembly number “83920” is marked on the left of the grip frame and the crane. It is fitted with a
ramped blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered walnut grips with
“S&W” monogram medallions. Includes the original box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original blue finish with only the slightest handling
marks and faint cylinder turn line. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with some very light handling marks and corner wear. An outstanding example of
one of the most rare of the numbered Smith & Wesson models!
Provenance: The Roy Jinks Collection; The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,000
Collector’s Fact
According to Smith & Wesson historian Roy
Jinks, all but ten of the 5,000 Smith & Wesson
Model 73 units were scrapped by Smith &
Wesson, with the remaining examples kept by
the company or presented to executives.
Outstanding Smith & Wesson Revolvers from Noted Authors and Historians.
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