Page 259 - Demo
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The left side of the frame is decorated with the initials monogram “FBC” for C. E.
Heath’s shooting associate, fellow competitor and close friend Fred. B. Collins.
Associated included period document copies which tell quite a story, indicate that Heath, who was closely aligned with the S&W factory management and had himself received an initialed monogram two-tone .38 M&P Target Model several years earlier, apparently ordered this revolver for Collins, who nearly 20 years later would order and receive the still-only known blue-nickel, two-tone .357 Registered Magnum. There are two panel scenes: a dog chasing down a deer on the crane and a fox amongst the scrolls on the right side of the frame under the cylinder. The trigger and grip straps are checkered. The left side of the grip frame carries a July 1911 (“7.11”) S&W factory return date, most likely for the front sight change from the original Patridge blade to the type currently in place. There are no S&W factory refinish marks on the revolver. As confirmed by the factory letter, the revolver was shipped “blue-nickel finish.” The sides of the hammer and trigger are polished. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder and ejector shroud. The diamond checkered grips without S&W medallions are nicely figured walnut and feature
a contrasting period celluloid spacer that only adds to the overall beauty of the revolver. Also
a metal weight has been expertly fitted rear of the mainspring, quite possibly by the factory. Includes an attractive custom hardwood display case.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original factory combination blue and nickel finishes with slight muzzle, grip strap and high edge wear with limited handling marks. The engraving
is crisp. The spacer modified grips (see above) are very fine with crisp checkering and polishing visible on interior grip strap. Mechanically excellent. A fantastic work of firearms artistry, this Oscar Young deluxe panel scene engraved two-tone S&W Triple Lock revolver shipped to ballistics expert C.W. Heath will be a stand out piece even in the most advanced collections. Its condition,
rarity and beauty is unmatched. Estimate: 40,000 - 60,000
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