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LOT 3359
Historic Documented Set of Ed McGivern’s Smith & Wesson K-22 Target Masterpiece
Pre-Model 17 Double Action Revolvers with Factory Letters, Boxes,
Holster Rig, Documents, and Book -A) S&W K-22 Target Masterpiece
Revolver - Serial no. K8757, 22 LR cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Ed McGivern scarcely needs an introduction, known as “The Fastest
Gunman of All Times”, he was a living legend in his own time and has gone
down in the annals of firearms history in America. McGivern was
born in Omaha, NE, in 1874, and upon requesting a revolver
from his father he was told “a boy with a shooting iron could
only grow up to be a thug and end up in the penitentiary”, but
McGivern disagreed, and set out to buy his own revolver by
selling eggs and baling hay. McGivern soon moved west,
where he became determined to be the fastest gunman
after witnessing a gunfight in which the winner was
simply faster than the looser, and the rest, they say,
is history. McGivern would go on to set many
world records, some of which stand to this
day, including the fastest five shots from
a revolver in .2 seconds, five shots from
two revolvers in under two seconds, and
five shots into a one inch group at 20
feet in just .45 seconds. Rock Island
Auction Company had the privilege
to sell McGivern’s record setting .38
Military & Police Target Revolver,
serial number 286600, as lot 1540
in our May 2025 Premier auction
as well as the target that he shot
his 5 shot one inch group on
with that same revolver as lot 1541
of the same sale. Along with his
shooting feats, McGivern was
a well-respected sign painter,
ballistician, and was instrumental
in the development of the
venerable .357 Magnum cartridge
with Smith & Wesson.
The revolvers themselves both feature a McGivern gold bead front sight, adjustable
rear sight, a wide checkered hammer, serrated trigger, and a set of diamond checkered walnut
grips with silver Smith & Wesson medallions. The “A” gun also features “ED McGIVERN/1948” engraved into the
left side of the frame. The lot includes two factory letters, one for each gun, both listing the above configuration
when they left the factory on February 17, 1948, in the case of revolver “A”, and May 9th, 1947, in the case of revolver
“B”, both were shipped as part of a batch of matching revolvers. Smith & Wesson historian Don Mundell remarks “The
invoice does not mention the engraving; however, I believe Smith & Wesson did the engraving at no charge for their
friend, Ed McGivern”, a sentiment shared by this writer. These revolvers were given by McGivern to Robert Kaurin of
Lewiston, MT. In the words of McGivern, in his inscription on the front page of the signed copy of his book “Fast
and Fancy Revolver Shooting”, Kaurin was a “sincere and loyal friend”. Included with the lot are the gold boxes for
each revolver (likely original, numbers faint), the aforementioned copy of “Fast & Fancy Revolver Shooting”, an
extensively tooled leather belt and holster rig by Victor Ario of Great Falls, MT, and a scrapbook brimming with
information on McGivern and Kaurin, including letters between the two, newspaper clippings, a target from
Kaurin, and photographs of Kaurin shooting with McGivern’s grandson.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 95% original blue finish with light handling evidence, slight holster
type wear, light cylinder drag line, and sharp checkering on the grips. The box is good with some tears and
edge wear. The scrapbook is very good and the book and holster rig are very fine.
B) S&W K-22 Target Masterpiece Revolver - Serial no. K958, 22 LR cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. As described in “A”.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 90% plus original blue finish with light handling evidence, light
holster type wear, some scattered very minor spotting, partial cylinder drag line, and sharp checkering on the
grip. Mechanically excellent. The box is good. This is an extremely rare opportunity to own, not just one, but two
revolvers owned by legendary revolver shooter Ed McGivern!
Provenance: Ed McGivern; Robert Kaurin; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000 291 291