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LOT 3350
Historic Smith & Wesson .32-20 Hand
Ejector Model of 1905 Double Action Revolver Inscribed to Chaves
County, New Mexico Sheriff with Pearl Grips - Serial no. 123708, 32-20 WCF cal., 4 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, pearl grips. Manufactured c. the 1930s, this is an attractive example of a Smith & Wesson
.32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 that is inscribed to a lawman and sheriff from the area of Roswell,
New Mexico, right around the time of the “Roswell Incident” and the “flying saucer” craze sweeping the nation.
The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates, Smith & Wesson marking on
the left, and the caliber marking on the right. The left of the frame has the trademark, and the right of the frame has the
“MADE IN U.S.A.” marking. In addition, the sideplate on the right side has been inscribed “HARRY PURYEAR/
SHERIFF/CHAVES Co. N. MEX.” It is fitted with a slightly period modified blade front sight, frame-top groove
rear sight, and a pair of smooth pearl grips. Newspapers from the late 1930s into the 1950s mention Harry
Puryear many times as a justice of the peace in Roswell, New Mexico, a deputy sheriff, and eventually as sheriff when he was elected in 1950.
It was in 1947 that debris was discovered not far from Roswell, New Mexico, allegedly from a crashed military weather balloon, which helped
to launch the nation into a “flying saucer” craze. It is unclear if Puryear was involved in any way with the crash site, but it is very likely
vhe was at least aware of the incident.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% plus of the original nickel finish with some light/minor handling marks scattered throughout and some mild
edge wear, typical of a New Mexico lawman’s sidearm. The grips are also fine with some minor chipping at the top and bottom of the right panel and otherwise
light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. An attractive Smith & Wesson .32-20 revolver with an inscription that places it in Roswell, New Mexico during a
very interesting time in its history!
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3349
Historic Prohibition
Era Smith & Wesson
.44 Hand Ejector Third Model Double Action Revolver
with Scarce 5 Inch Barrel Inscribed to Chief of Police A.A.
Randall of Bristow, Oklahoma with Stag Grips - Serial no. 31694,
44 S&W special cal., 5 inch round bbl., nickel finish, stag grips. Manufactured in 1929, this is a historic
example of a Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector revolver that is inscribed to a Prohibition Era chief of
police from Bristow, Oklahoma and has the scarce 5 inch barrel length. The .44 S&W Special cartridge was
developed and introduced alongside their .44 Hand Ejector revolvers, and it became known for its accuracy, just like the .44
S&W Russian cartridge it was based on. Due to this inherent accuracy, revolvers in .44 Special were highly regarded among
law enforcement, particularly before the introduction of the .357 Magnum in 1935. The barrel on this example has the two-
line address and patent dates on top, the Smith & Wesson marking on the left, and caliber marking on the right.
The left of the frame has the trademark and “MADE IN U.S.A.” is on the right. The sideplate on the right is engraved with
“A.A.Randall./Chief Police/BristowOkla”. The chambers of the cylinders are very lightly engraved with fern designs, and another fern is engraved
under the inscription. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and a pair of attractive stag grips. In an article from the
“Bristow Daily Record” in 1936, Albert A. Randall is noted as having been born in Kansas and settling with his family in Bristow, Oklahoma in
1898. As an adult, he is noted as initially joining the city fire department before transferring to the police department and later running for chief
of police. It is noted in the 1936 article that he was currently serving his third term as chief of police. In articles from local newspapers in 1934, Randall is noted as
one of many officers from multiple police departments in the area that was taking part in the arrests of the Glen Roy Wright Gang after a string of bank robberies,
and he was also involved in the recovery of multiple bank safes and strong boxes which had been hidden by the gang at the Brackett farm near Mannford,
Oklahoma. Another article from 1934 in the “Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise” notes that Randall was part of a posse looking to arrest John Longacre Jr. on a local
farm when they also encountered W.A. “Shine” Rush, who was an ally and friend of Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd. The article notes that Rush fled out the kitchen door
while firing on the officers, who returned fire, believing they had wounded Rush, who escaped. Many other articles from the period list Randall as doing his part to
try to curb the organized crime, robbery, and bootlegging of the Prohibition Era, during most of which he was likely carrying this revolver.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% of the original nickel finish with some light handling and holster wear, typical of a lawman’s sidearm, and a patch of light flaking
on the right of the frame. The grips are very fine with some mild wear and an attractively aged tone. Mechanically excellent. A desirable .44 Hand Ejector revolver
inscribed to a Prohibition Era chief of police!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3351
Attractive U.S. Deputy Marshal Marked Badge by Los Angeles Stamp & Stationary Co. - Manufactured c. 1935-1941, this is an attractive
example of one of many designs of U.S. Marshal badges in use prior to the first national issue of badges in 1941. The badge itself takes on the
iconic circled five-pointed star design, long associated with law enforcement in the U.S. It appears to be stamped out of brass and nickel silver
plated with a slightly domed shape. The front face is stamped with “DEPUTY/MARSHAL” on the outer circle and “U.S.” at the center of the star, all
of which are filled with black enamel. The “LAS&SCO” maker’s mark is stamped on the back.
CONDITION: Very fine, showing an attractive, lightly aged patina overall retaining almost all of the nickel silver plating with some scattered light
handling marks. An iconic American law enforcement badge!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 1,000 - 1,600
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