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LOT 3568
Scarce and Highly Desirable “Zero Series” Serial Number
Presentation “Club Gun” Smith & Wesson 2 Inch Barrel Victory
Model “Target” Double Action Revolver Inscribed and Shipped to
Ed McGivern with Extra Barrel, Case, and Factory Letter - Serial no.
0433, 38 Special cal., 2 inch round bbl., Black Magic finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in early 1945, this is an incredible, one-of-a-kind ‘short
barrel’ Smith & Wesson Victory Model “Target” revolver that is inscribed
to and shipped to the legendary handgunner Ed McGivern. The included
factory letter states that this revolver was the only “Victory Model
Target” built during World War II and that it is one of only 38 “zero series”
presentation “Club Guns” produced during the war. It is noted that to
obtain one of these guns, an individual had to be extremely important and
that the factory would build a gun from condemned parts and number it
in this series. It states that the revolver is listed in the factory records with
a 2 inch barrel, target sights with the front being a “McGivern” gold bead
Patridge blade, and magna type stocks when shipped to Ed McGivern in
Lewistown, Montana, on 7 May 1945. In the letter, Roy Jinks also notes that
he believes the extra four inch barrel, also fitted with a “McGivern” blade
sight, was originally shipped with this revolver. During the course of the
war, 850,000 Victory Model revolvers were produced for both military and
war-related civilian use, but perhaps none are quite as desirable as this
example. The left side of the barrel has the Smith & Wesson marking and
the caliber marking. The right side of the frame has the trademark and
“MADE IN U.S.A.” The left side of the frame is marked with “ED McGIVERN/
OF MONTANA/1945”. It is fitted with the documented “McGivern” gold
beaded Patridge blade front sight (also on the extra barrel), an adjustable
notch rear sight, and a pair of diamond pattern checkered “magna” walnut
grips with “S&W” medallions. Includes an extra four inch barrel, ejector
rod for the extra barrel, and a hardwood case fitted for the revolver, extra
barrel, and extra ejector rod (no key).
Ed McGivern (1874-1957), “the World’s Fastest Gun,” became fascinated
with fast shooting after witnessing a shootout in Sheridan, Wyoming
as a boy. He became one of the most famous and renowned exhibition
shooters and handgunning authors of the 20th century, as well as training
law enforcement including the FBI. He published his book, “Fast and Fancy
Revolver Shooting” in 1938, and set many records for fast shooting during
the period, many of which he still holds to this day. McGivern preferred
double action revolvers over other handguns and Smith & Wesson’s
certainly seemed to have been his preferred brand, having a very close
relationship with the company through his shooting years. Elmer Keith said
McGivern was “the fastest and finest double-action revolver shot that ever
lived and probably ever will.” Many of McGivern’s revolvers have become
part of public collections, with relatively few available on the
public market.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the factory quality “Black
Magic” parkerized finish with some very light handling marks and a faint
cylinder turn line. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest
handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is
very fine with only the slightest handling/storage evidence. This is a one-
of-a-kind Smith & Wesson Victory Model revolver that is also a “Club Gun”
presentation to the iconic Ed McGivern!
Provenance: Ed McGivern; The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000
According to the included factory letter,
this revolver was the only Smith & Wesson
"Victory Model target" revolver built during
World War II, and is 1 of only 38 "zero
series" produced during World War II.