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revolver has standard S&W markings with “REG. 3344” stamped on the inside of the frame and matching serial numbers on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and ejector shroud. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% bright original high polish blue finish showing some scattered light edge wear, a ding behind the hammer and a light cylinder drag line. 98% plus vivid case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are very fine with a slight chip at the top (left panel), some minor handling marks mostly on the bottom and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500
36
LOT 1527
Documented Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special Revolver Carried by Los Angeles Police Chief Edward M. Davis Serial Number 3J1 with Factory Letter - Serial no. 3J1, 38 S&W special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. The Model 36 was popular with law enforcement officers, often carried as a back-up piece. In Dean Boorman’s “The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms,” this Model 36 is cited as “owned by Los Angeles Police Chief Edward Davis.” Chief Davis (1916-2006) spent 33 years with the LAPD, serving as chief from 1969-1978. Fans of late ‘60s police dramas might know him as Davis’ name appeared in the closing credits for “technical advice” for the TV shows Dragnet and Adam-12. True crime enthusiasts certainly recognize the name as it was Chief Davis who held a press conference to announce the arrests of Charles Manson and his followers connected to the Tate–LaBianca murders in 1969 that defined a generation. Davis’ role in the murder case was well documented in Vincent Bugliosi’s highly popular book “Helter Skelter.” He gained notoriety for making controversial statements in public but, as the Los Angeles Times conceded, “his real legacy as chief was a series of groundbreaking reforms that were copied by police departments across the country.” He created the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation to help families of police officers killed in the line of duty. He wrote the first LAPD policy and procedure manual and formulated management principles for the department. He created many crime-figthing programs that included community outreach. In 1978, Davis ran an unsuccessful campaign for Republican governor of California in the primary election and later served 12 years in the California State Senate where he became an outspoken supporter of gay rights and environmental issues. The revolver is fitted with oversized combat style grips. CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 98% original blue and casehardened finishes with minimal handling marks and a faint cylinder drag line. Mechanically excellent. This S&W Model 36 Revolver tied to an influential LAPD Chief is a must have for the law enforcement collector. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 1,000 - 1,500
4
LOT 1526
Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 55172, 357
magnum cal., 8 3/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This Registered Magnum, registration number 3344, is one of only 735 Registered Magnums manufactured with an 8 3/4 inch barrel. The 1979 dated factory letter states the revolver was shipped on December 22, 1937 and delivered to Warshal’s Sporting Goods Co. of Seattle, Washington. No other information is
provided. Additional information pertaining to this revolver is provided in the included documents (copies) from the S&W Historical Foundation: the November 22, 1937 dated order request on McDonald and Linforth letterhead listing for two revolvers with an 8 3/4 inch barrel, King ramp reflector 1/10 inch red post front sight and white outline rear sight with shipment to J. Warshal & Sons of Seattle, Washington, the order form filled out by McDonald and Linforth,
the purchase order for the King front sights, and the November 26, 1938 dated S&W order form filled out after the company received the order which lists the same features and shipment as presented in the aforementioned request along with Magna stocks. The revolver is fitted with a King ramp reflector front sight but with a beaded blade and the adjustable rear sight has a white outline “U” notch. The
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED
IN THE BOOK THE HISTORY OF SMITH & WESSON BY BOORMAN
LOS ANGELES POLICE CHIEF EDWARD DAVIS
Collector’s Fact
Only 735 Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum Revolvers were produced with an 8 3/4 inch barrel, the longest offered length.