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LOT 1528
Rare and Desirable Austin Police Department Marked Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty Double Action Revolver - Serial no. S151090, 38 Special cal., 4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1956. This revolver is one of two hundred forty-nine received by the Austin Police department between 1952 and 1964, with this one being a part of the December 10, 1956 shipment. The revolver features round blade front and frame notch rear sights. Matching serial numbers are found on the butt, cylinder and barrel shroud. A factory rework star is also found inside the barrel shroud, behind the extractor star, and on the left side of the grip frame with rework dates of “10 66” and “12 75” and “R-N” refinish marking. The backstrap is marked “AUSTIN P.D. 141”. These .38/44 Heavy Duty revolvers were ordered to replace the aging stock of .38 Military and Police revolvers the department had in stock and would remain in duty until being replaced in 1968 by the Model 27-2. The article “The Austin Police Department .38/44 Heavy Duty” by Bill Patterson states that one of the officers that helped take down Charles Whitman in the University of Texas Tower shooting was armed with one of these .38/44 Heavy Duty Revolvers. CONDITION: Very fine overall as Austin Police Department used, retaining 98% plus factory refinished nickel finish with scattered dings and scratches and a cylinder drag line. Replacement grips are very fine with scattered dings and scratches as well as crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The opportunity to own one of these rare revolvers are few and far between, this is your chance to add one to your collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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