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LOT 1540
Documented King Gunsight Co. Shipped and Upgraded Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy
Duty Double Action Revolver with Scarce 6 1/2 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no.
54488, 38 S&W Special cal., 6 1/2 inch vent rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in
1938, this is a very attractive example of a King Gunsight Co. upgraded Smith & Wesson
.38/44 Heavy Duty revolver with a very scarce 6 1/2 inch barrel. The included factory letter
lists the revolver with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and fixed sights, additionally noting that it was
a special order gun and the invoice was marked “not target” when it was shipped to the
King Gunsight Co. in San Francisco, California on 7 June 1938. Given the way the revolver
is noted in the factory ledgers, it is easy to see that the King company special ordered
this revolver with every intention of immediately applying their own personal upgrades,
quite possibly for a specific customer who had ordered it through them. The left side of
the barrel has the Smith & Wesson marking, while the caliber marking is on the right. The
right of the frame has the trademark and “MADE IN U.S.A.” The matching serial number is
on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and inside the ejector rod housing. The matching
assembly number is on the frame and crane. It is fitted with a King Super Target vent rib
with the typical markings and red beaded blade mirrored ramp front sight and adjustable
notch rear sight. Additionally, it is fitted with an slightly modified, offset hammer and a
pair of attractive, oak leaf carved, thumb-rest target type grips with the professionally
carved “HK” initials on the right panel.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as upgraded by the King Gunsight Co., with 98% plus of
the blue finish and 85% of the vibrant case colors with very minimal handling evidence
and a cylinder turn line. The period upgraded grips are excellent with a few very slight handling marks and
crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. A scarce 6 1/2 inch barrel Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty revolver
with very desirable King Gunsight upgrades!
Provenance: The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1539
Desirable Smith & Wesson .38 Military &
Police Model of 1905 Fourth Change Double
Action Revolver with Holster Rig Attributed
as Presented by Ed McGivern to Flathead
County, Montana Sheriff with Signed
Affidavit and Holster Rig -
Serial no. 279823,
38 S&W Special cal.,
6 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured
c. 1909 to 1915, this
Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Model of
1905 Fourth Change revolver is attributed as
having been presented to a Montana lawman
by the famous exhibition shooter and writer Ed
McGivern. The included signed affidavit states
that this revolver was presented as a gift by the
legendary Ed McGivern to Calvin A. Robinson,
who was elected sheriff of Flathead County,
Montana in 1933. It states that the revolver remained
in his possession until bequeathed from his estate to his son Robert H. Robinson, before passing on to
the consignor. The barrel has the Smith & Wesson marking on the left, while the caliber marking is on the
right. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, the rear face of the cylinder, and bottom of the
barrel. The inside of the right grip panel is hand marked in pencil with “Ed McGivern” twice, one of which is
McGivern’s actual signature. It is fitted with a gold vein-bead blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight,
and a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips with “S&W” monogram medallions. Includes a Heiser,
Denver leather holster, belt, and dual leather pouch.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% of the original blue finish and 40% of the original case colors on the hammer
and trigger with some mild handling/holster wear overall showing a grey patina and a few patches of light
surface spotting, typical of a sidearm carried by a western lawman. The grips are also fine with mild wear, a
few minor edge/corner chips, and defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster rig is fine overall
with mild wear. A desirable Smith & Wesson revolver presented by Ed McGivern to a western sheriff!
Provenance: Ed McGivern; Flathead County, Montana Sheriff Calvin A. Robinson; Robert H. Robinson;
The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,000