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LOT 3571
Attractive Factory Engraved and Inscribed Smith & Wesson .38
Military & Police Model of 1905 Fourth Change Double Action
Revolver Presented to Captain of Denver, Colorado Police Frank
F. Campbell by Frank H. Wesson with Pearl Inlaid Deluxe Grips,
Photograph, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 541274, 38 Special cal.,
5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1927,
this is a very attractive example of a deluxe, factory engraved S&W
.38 Military & Police Model of 1905 Fourth Change revolver that was
presented to a captain of the Denver, Colorado Police Department
by Smith & Wesson. The included factory letter lists the revolver
with a special 5 inch barrel, blue finish, “police target”, grooved
straps and trigger, and special embellishments. It goes on to state
that the special work was authorized by F.H. (Frank) Wesson, and
Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks indicates that it is his opinion
that the special embellishments indicated engraving and special
grips. The letter also notes that the revolver was shipped from the
factory on 15 April 1927 and delivered to Captain Frank F. Campbell of the
Denver Police Department at the North Denver Police Station in Denver, Colorado. The
revolver itself shows beautifully executed, factory floral scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds
covering about half of the surfaces of the major components of the revolver and the right side of the frame
is inscribed with “PRESENTED BY/SMITH & WESSON/TO/FRANK F. CAMPBELL/CAPTAIN OF POLICE/DENVER,
COLO.” The top of the barrel has the standard two-line address and patent dates, manufacturer’s marking on
the left, and the caliber marking on the right. The small S&W trademark is on the left of the frame. Fitted with
the standard blade front sight, which was modified/shortened during the period of use, standard frame-top
groove rear sight, and a pair of highly figured, deluxe walnut grips inlaid with pearl bullseye and diamond
shapes. The grips are unnumbered, but have every appearance of being factory original and part of the deluxe
embellishment package carried out on this revolver. Included with the revolver is a 1927 dated photograph
of Captain Frank F. Campbell and patrolman R.E. Olson. According to period Colorado newspapers, it appears
that Frank F. Campbell began work as a patrolman for the Denver Police Department sometime in the early
1900s. In 1910, Campbell was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the killing of Roy Blackburn and
sentenced to two to three years in prison, though details of this incident are scant. There are reports of
Campbell appealing this sentence in 1913, with Denver police officers, court officers, and legislators noted
as appealing for him, but the request appears to have been denied. By 1917, it appears Campbell was back
on the job and is noted as acting sergeant at that time. Around 1926, articles begin to appear in the papers
listing Campbell as captain, making it quite possible this revolver was a gift for that promotion. It appears that
Campbell served in this role for quite some time, eventually being placed in charge of the traffic department.
In 1945, the Denver Police Chief at the time, August Hanebuth, announced a shake up in the department
in order to reduce traffic deaths, offering Campbell a desk job instead of being in charge of the traffic
department. Campbell refused and resigned from the department the following day. Ironically, Campbell was
killed in an automobile collision just seven years later at the age of 72, when the car driven by his brother (also
a retired Denver policeman) was struck broadside while making a left turn.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish with some light holster type wear, typical
of a revolver carried on duty by a captain of police, a cylinder turn line, and the engraving remains crisp
overall. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and a couple hairline cracks and
a light chip absent from the pearl inlays. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive, special ordered, deluxe
presentation .38 Military & Police revolver documented directly from Smith & Wesson to Denver, Colorado
police captain Frank F. Campbell!
Provenance: Captain Frank F. Campbell; The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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