Club Gun 04727 new evidence

[Club Gun Fan]

I bought this .38 New Departure Club Gun serial number 04727 last summer knowing it would not letter. I looker thru all me Club Gun files and came up with nothing. The only thing I found was sn 4727 was returned to the factory and the shipping records red CONDEMNED after it. Last night I was looking up an invoice for a letter I was doing and found an invoice for a Dr. R. V. Alquist Clay City Kansas. The work order was for a .38 N. D. #04727 5" Blue ("Z" Bar) the work done was for parts and refinishing. I'm happy that I can put a name to this Club Gun.

[rct269]

That's why you should keep on keeping on----never give up----and a little prayer now and then couldn't hurt.

Ralph Tremaine

[lkabug]

One just has to believe it's out there.

[ISCS Yoda]

I like it - never heard of a club gun and the SCSW says club guns have a 0 at the beginning of the SN but that's all that I learned. What's the story here? Enquiring minds want to know.

[mmaher94087]

Don, I hope you can piece together the history behind this revolver especially since the records say "CONDEMNED". The revolver is very nice and I think it was a total redo by the factory.

[StrawHat]

So, 4727 was condemned. How does that interact with 04727

I am guessing two different revolvers?

Kevin

[bigwheelzip]

Here is his add in The Economist, May 6, 1936.

Love the 3-digit phone number.



From the Rotarian in the Hobbies section, May 1940:



Photo of Raymond Victor Alquist, Clay Center HS yearbook 1927







Two and a half years before his passing at age 40, he and his father Verner were pictured side by side in the 7-47 issue of The Rotarian, featuring father and son pairs of Rotary Club Members.



Lived with his wife Delphia at 411 Frederick St, Clay Center KS

Raymond Victor Alquist (1909-1950) - Find A Grave Memorial

An article in the October 16, 1936 Dispatch discusses the displays at the first Piotique Day, celebrating the new Highway 24 bridge over the Republican River. The Town of Clay Center has made it an annual event ever since.
Dr. Alquist's display is mentioned:
"Gambles is displaying Dr. Raymond Alquist's guns, many of them with a fascinating history and background, and the exhibit has attracted lots of attention all day long. Dr. Warren Kerby's collection is on display there too, including French and English bayonets, horse pistols, and flint-locks. Several unusual and wicked looking knives are there, also; and some German army equipment is a feature. Munitions picked up on Custer's Battle Field, gun relics from the Spanish, Civil, World, and other wars are included in the display, some of them more years old that can be easily realized. Old weapons that have had their day in warfare are contrasted with the "later models." It is said this collection is one of the finest in Kansas."

[rct269]

Common lore has it some/many club guns were made up from "condemned" or "scrapped" parts. I don't know that this terminology has ever been defined, but common sense suggests it does not relate to any safety related condition. I've decided it relates to some condition which renders these non-standard items unfit for use by what I'll call "line" employees/equipment----requiring attention from more skilled/experienced personnel (those in the Service Department for instance, and the Service Department is mentioned because it is my understanding/belief the lions share of "Club Guns" were the product of that group).

All that said, I can't point to any authoritative source for these words of wisdom, by whatever less flattering terminology they might become to be known.

I will suggest Don has forgotten more about the topic than the rest of us know----the rest of us combined. If/when he has time, and the spirits so move him, perhaps he can share a few tid-bits.

Ralph Tremaine

[BMur]

Those grips are pure artwork. The color mix is awesome. Almost looks like a coiled snake on the left panel. Very unique.

Murph

[ol777gunnerz]

That is one heck of a nice revolver, as well as a Club Gun with mottled grips.

[SS336]

“CONDEMNED“
Seems a little harsh for such a beautiful revolver. I too find the grips stunning on that gun.

[Club Gun Fan]

Club Guns were guns that Smith & Wesson made that were given, or sold to individuals and gun clubs. I don't know why they are called Club Guns. The first evidence I find of any gun going to a club are sn's 0314 to 0319. They all went to the Smith & Wesson Revolver Club. I own 0318. I shot it in the indoor range of the Springfield Revolver Club the week before the city of Springfield bulldozed it into dust. I think they should have been called "Give Away guns"
Most of the first 100 or so were given to the top shooters of the time, like Charles Axtell, Dr. Calkins, A L A Himmelwright and Walter Winans. It is possible the name came from the fact that so many were given to members of the Smith & Wesson Revolver Club and the Springfield Revolver Club. As far as 04727 is concerned. I found 133 First Model .38 New Departures that were returned to the factory then marked in the shipping records "CONDEMNED". Knowing how frugal the Wessons were, the Service Department would examined each one and kept parts or whole guns that were deemed safe to resell. Thats why there is a zero as the first number in the serial number. I have several Club Guns that have as many as four serial number on it beside the zero number. I have found some Club Guns have the words "CLUB PISTOL" stamped on the front strap.

[first-model]

Nice work Don. Isn't it great when serendipity gives you a gift like this?

Mike

[ISCS Yoda]

Excellent information; thanks!