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LOT 1554
Very Rare Documented Smith & Wesson Model
52-A 38 AMU Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 35918, 38 AMU cal., 4 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured from
1961-1964 expressly for the U.S. Army Marksmanship
Unit (AMU). It is chambered in the .38 AMU cartridge,
which was developed by the AMU armorers of Fort
Benning, Georgia for the unit. Only 87 of the pistols
were produced, all of which fall in the serial number
range 35850-35927. It is rumored that the low production is due to the aluminum frames being unable to hold up
to long term firing, because of this they were released to the public. The barrel bears the standard “38 A.M.U. CTG.”
marking. The accompanying factory letter and copies of the factory invoice confirm this pistol was shipped in its current
configuration, aside from barrel which is incorrectly listed as 5 inches, to Gil Hebard Guns in Knoxville, Illinois, on June
22, 1964, and was among 44 units of this model in this shipment. Comes with the original box, ribbed screwdriver,
cleaning rod with two attachments, warranty, and registration card. Per the consignor, this pistol was once owned by
the president of the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association who purchased it from Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original blue finish with minimal handling wear and crisp grip
checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine.
Provenance: Smith & Wesson Historian Roy Jinks; Smith & Wesson Collectors Association President;
Private Collection.
Estimate:
5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1555
Excellent Smith
& Wesson .44
Magnum (Pre-
Model 29,
5-Screw Frame)
Double Action
Revolver with
Presentation
Case - Serial
no. S165526, 44
Magnum cal., 6
1/2 inch solid rib
bbl., blue finish,
checkered wood
grips. Manufactured in 1956/1957 with a very desirable 5-screw frame and S&W medallion checkered target grips.
Matching serial numbers on butt, cylinder, crane, ejector and ejector shroud. Comes with the desirable S&W
Magnum black presentation case, knurled screwdriver, and cleaning rod with two attachments.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 98% plus original blue finish with light cylinder drag line, minimal
handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1556
Desirable Experimental Marked
Prototype Smith & Wesson/
Armament Systems & Procedures
Model 39-2 ASP Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
A145003, 9 mm Parabellum cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., black
finish, plastic grips. Manufactured c. 1970-1973, and subsequently
“re-manufactured” by Armament Systems & Procedures Inc. as a prototype of the
firm’s ASP modified pistol package performed on Smith & Wesson metal framed
semi-automatics, with this example stamped “ASP-EXP-10” on the left of the frame
indicating it to be an experimental piece. Appearing in Maj.
Geoffrey Boothroyd’s 1970 book “The Handgun”, the ASP
modified pistol was later adopted by fictional legend James
Bond; though the films continued using the PPK, the novels
of Fleming’s successor John Gardner had Bond take up
the ASP pistol in 1984. Features a one-piece “Guttersnipe”
sighting plane attachment in place of the standard iron
sights, a “9MM CTG” marked shortened barrel, the Smith
& Wesson name and address retained on the left of the
slide, the original model designation and serial number on
the left side of the frame, the Smith & Wesson trade mark
retained on the right of the frame, the right-front portion of the trigger guard trimmed, rounded edges,
and a bobbed hammer. Fitted with a pair of clear Lexan grips and a black magazine with witness windows
on either side. Includes a black nylon soft case and five extra magazines.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 98% plus black finish with some minor edge wear, a few light
handling marks, and clear markings. The grips are very fine with some minor handling wear and a crack on
the lower left panel. The right grip panel interferes with the magazine release, otherwise
mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1557
Scarce and Excellent Steel Frame Smith
& Wesson Model 39 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Original Box - Serial no.
60289, 9 mm cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. The Model 39 was the
first 9 mm double action, semi-automatic
pistol produced in the U.S. Steel
frame models, like this example,
were first introduced in 1954-1955,
but not assembled or sold until
1966, with only 927 manufactured.
This excellent example comes with
the original box featuring an end
label listing the steel frame
and instructions.
CONDITION: Excellent overall,
retaining 97% plus original blue
finish with wear on top rear frame,
minimal handling marks and scuff
marks, and crisp grip checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The box is
very fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
Collector’s Fact
According to the included Smith & Wesson
Historical Foundation letter, only 87
Smith & Wesson Model 52-A .38 AMU
pistols were produced.
Collector’s Fact
According to "Standard
Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by
Supica and Nahas, only 927
steel frame Smith & Wesson
Model 39 pistols
were manufactured.