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LOT 1561
Smith & Wesson .32 Hand
Ejector Model of 1903 (2nd
Type) Double Action Revolver
with Presentation Case
Inscribed to FBI Administrator
and J. Edgar Hoover Confidant
John P. Mohr - Serial no. 14612,
32 S&W Long cal., 4 1/4 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory
grips. Manufactured in 1903/04.
It has standard S&W markings,
matching assembly numbers on
the yoke and crane and matching
serial numbers on the butt,
cylinder and barrel. Comes with a
presentation case and sealed box
of Winchester .32 S&W cartridges.
The inscription on the case
plaque reads, “John P. Mohr/WITH
GRATEFUL APPRECIATION/FOR
YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE/1939-
1972/L. Patrick Gray.” Referred to as the FBI’s
third man, Assistant to the Director John P. Mohr
(1910-1997) was a member of Director J. Edgar
Hoover’s inner circle infamously connected to
orchestrating the disappearance of Hoover’s
personal files on politicians at the time of the
director’s death. During the waning years of
Hoover’s unprecedented tenure as FBI Director, Mohr was one of a handful of people
Hoover trusted at the bureau. Mohr was given the responsibility to notify the acting
Attorney General of the director’s death, to seal Hoover’s office and supervise the
funeral arrangements. His FBI career started in 1939 and was forced by the acting director
to retire on June 30, 1972 amid allegations of bribery and misconduct. Many considered
Mohr as Hoover’s successor, but given Hoover’s controversial legacy, President Nixon decided
to nominate an outsider, Justice Department official L. Patrick Gray (1916-
2005), for the position of FBI Director. According to the inscription, it was Gray
who presented this revolver to Mohr. Gray remained as the acting director for
nearly a year before becoming a causality of the Watergate scandal.
CONDITION: Excellent. The revolver retains 98% original nickel finish that is taking on a frosted appearance. Traces of vivid
original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are excellent with some minor handling marks and highly
attractive color. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine showing a number of scratches on the presentation plaque and some
minor storage marks.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1560
Desirable World
War I British
Military Proofed
Smith & Wesson .455 Mk. II First
Model Hand Ejector “Triple Lock”
Double Action Revolver with
Holster - Serial no. 2340, 455 MKII
cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1914
to 1915, this is a rare and desirable
example of Smith & Wesson’s .455
Mk. II First Model Hand Ejector
revolver in the desirable “Triple
Lock” configuration. The frame
has British military proofs and
there is an import mark on the
butt. A revolver such as this would have
been a robust and highly valued sidearm for a British officer during World
War I. The top of the barrel as the standard two-line address and patent
dates. The matching serial number is on the butt, rear face of the cylinder,
and hand marked in pencil inside the right grip panel. There are additional
British proofs on the left of the grip frame. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame-top groove rear
sight, lanyard swivel on the butt, and a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips. Includes a
military pattern, “M&A.HESS/1917” marked leather holster.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish with some mild holster and
handling type wear, a patch of light oxidation on the right of the barrel, a few minor dings, and a
cylinder turn line. The grips are fine with scattered minor dings overall, dents and wear on the right
lower panel, and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good with
moderate wear.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1562
Excellent Smith & Wesson Fourth
Model Straight Line Single Shot
Target Pistol with Case - Serial no.
962, 22 LR cal., 10 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
from 1925 to 1936, only 1,870 of these
very scarce and desirable single shot
target pistols were produced by Smith
& Wesson. The top of the barrel is
marked with the one line address, Smith
& Wesson marking is on the left, and the
caliber marking is on the right. The left of the frame has the trademark, while the right of the frame has the “MADE IN U.S.A.”
marking. The matching serial number is on the butt, bottom of the barrel, and hand marked in pencil inside the right grip
panel. It is fitted with a blade front sight with brass bead insert, an adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of smooth walnut
grips with “S&W” monogram medallions. Includes the correct blued steel case, a screwdriver, and a cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original blue finish, a very small patch of light wear on the left of the barrel
near the muzzle, and some very light freckling on the grip straps. The grips are very fine with some scattered light dings.
Mechanically excellent. The case exterior retains most of the original blue with some tears and staining on the lining, and
otherwise mild handling/storage wear.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1559
Excellent Documented Railroad President Shipped Smith
& Wesson .44 Hand Ejector Second Model Double Action
Revolver with Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 25336,
44 S&W special cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver
was shipped on August 9, 1927, delivered to H.B. Stewart, c/o Akron, Canton and Youngstown
Railroad (A.C.&Y.R.R.), Akron, Ohio, and confirms the configuration (a 6 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish,
butt swivel, and checkered non-monogrammed walnut grips). This shipment was for two units which
were ordered through George Worthington Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, and shipped directly to H.B.
Stewart. The A.C.&Y.R.R. operated from 1907 until 1964 when it merged with Norfolk & Western. The
railroad played a significant role in freight traffic for the automotive and rubber industries located
in the Akron, Ohio, region. Harry Bartlett Stewart was one of the railroad’s founding members and
became president of A.C.&Y.R.R in 1910. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel
in pencil, cylinder, and barrel. The correct model factory box is numbered to a different gun and
contains an S&W “Caution” leaflet.
CONDITION: Excellent overall with 98% plus original finish, limited handing wear, and crisp grip
checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is good with numerous tape repairs on the lid. A superb
Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector revolver linked to a railroad tycoon.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
J. Edgar Hoover