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LOT 3365
Etched and Gold Inlaid Smith & Wesson
Model 544 Texas Sesquicentennial
Wagon Train Commemorative Double Action Revolver with
Scrimshawed Ivory Grips, Knife, Display Case, and Original
Box - Serial no. TWT0021, 44-40 WCF cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue/gold finish, ivory grips. Manufactured c. 1986, this is one of only
150 of these Smith & Wesson Model 544 revolvers which was beautifully
embellished to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the State of Texas. The
revolver shows very attractive etched flourishes of floral scroll scattered
throughout, which are accented with gold inlays. The right side of the frame has an
outline of the State of Texas in silver and a large “Lone Star” in gold. The left of the
frame has the caliber marking inlaid in gold and the right has “21 of 150”. The left of
the barrel has the Smith & Wesson and caliber marking, while the right is gold inlaid
with “TEXAS/1836-1986”. The hammer and trigger are gold plated. It is fitted with a
ramped blade front sight with red insert, an adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair
of attractive ivory grips with scrimshawed wagon train scenes on both
sides. Includes a hardwood and glass display case, an
engraved and custom made scrimshawed knife
(consignor had specially made to add with
the set), a commemorative medallion,
a small Texas longhorn bronze statue,
and the original factory box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99%
plus of the original blue and gold finishes with some extremely light handling evidence, a faint cylinder turn line, and crisp etching. The grips
are also excellent with a few very light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case, knife, and bronze are excellent with only the slightest
handling/storage evidence. The box is fine with some mild wear.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3364
Russel J. Smith
Signed Master
Engraved, Gold
Inlaid Smith &
Wesson Model 19-3 Texas
Rangers Commemorative Double Action Revolver
with Bird’s Eye Maple Grips, Two-Tone Finish,
Case, and Knife - Serial no. TR431, 357 Magnum cal.,
4 inch solid rib bbl., blue/nickel finish, maple grips.
Manufactured in 1973, this is one of approximately 1,950 Texas
Rangers commemorative revolvers originally made by Smith &
Wesson, with this example having been subsequently beautifully
embellished by Master Engraver Russel J. Smith. Smith originally
made a name for himself as a Smith & Wesson master engraver, which
led to him engraving firearms for a multitude of famous people, including a revolver for Elvis
Presley, which was sold here at Rock Island Auction Company in August of 2023. Fifty of these
commemorative revolvers were deluxe engraved by Smith & Wesson, with this specific example
privately commissioned and showing a higher level of embellishment, in which the consignor
indicated that Bill Hayes had this revolver built. He was a homicide Lieutenant and Chief Firearms
Instructor for Shelby Co. Sheriff’s office, and was buddies with Toliver Dawson, who was a Texas Ranger. Bill had this gun master
engraved for Dawson. Dawson was the one who made Dawson holsters. The revolver shows near full coverage floral scroll engraving,
gold inlaid ribbons and stars on the sides of the barrel, and a two-tone blue and nickel finish. The cylinder has floral scroll engraving, gold inlaid borders, Texas
flags that are gold inlaid and enamel finished, and inscribed with the names of legendary Texas and Texas Rangers figures, Stephen Austin, John C. Hays, and
Captain McNelly. The engraver signed this masterpiece on the crane with “R-J SMITH” in a banner. The left of the barrel is marked with the standard Smith &
Wesson marking and the right side is marked “TEXAS RANGERS” over the caliber. The right of the frame is marked with the Texas Rangers commemorative marking
and the Smith & Wesson address. Ramped blade front sight with a gilt finished section, adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of smooth bird’s eye maple grips with five-
pointed star medallions near the tops. Includes the correct hardwood commemorative case and a Smith & Wesson Texas Rangers commemorative Bowie Knife.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the blue and nickel finishes with only the slightest handling marks and crisp engraving. Essentially all of the gold inlay and
enamel finishes remain. The grips are also excellent with a few very light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and knife are also excellent with only the
slightest handling evidence. A beautiful Texas Rangers commemorative Smith & Wesson Model 19-3 revolver embellished by Master Engraver Russel J. Smith!
Provenance: Homicide Lieutenant Bill Hayes; Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson; Private Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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