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10-17-2021, 01:33 PM
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1891 Factory Engraved
It was Dec, 2017 when an Engraved .22 1891 Single Shot caught my eye. Blue with Ivory Target grips and Engraved. The serial number of 5001 is listed in the N&J S&W book as a combo set although this gun had no extras with it. I purchased it, almost knowing there was hardly a chance of finding the revolver barrel and cylinder of that number.
The letter states it was sold as a blued and engraved single shot with a 10 inch barrel, and checkered ivory extension target grips. The monogram on the left grip is Mr. Freeman's monogram. Augustus C. Freeman
ACF left and FSH right grip.
Shipped Dec. 8th 1893, to A.C. Freeman at address in Punta Gorda FL
Note: This 1891 is an 8 inch barrel and the frame are numbered on the butt.
Move ahead to Oct, 2021
While looking at online stuff for sale, only ever so often, two weeks ago I came across an item for sale that made my day. A display case with F.S.H. in gold letters on the top and inside was an engraved .38 barrel and cylinder. Looking through all the pictures the last one showed a close view of the rear of the cylinder.
There it was! Number 5001 as plain as day! Also the same monograms on a set of pearl grips as on my ivory target extension grips.
There is a hand written letter as a receipt, post marked Oct. 1961, stating the pistol in the case was an 8 inch .32 with serial number 15929. This was not correct looking for the case and barrel and was sold off.
So at that time, the correct 8 inch single shot .22 from the combo set had not been in the case for at least 60 years.
As soon as it was shipped in I placed the pistol in the case!! I could almost hear "where have you been all these years"?
Now the serial number 5001 is on both barrels, cylinder, and butt of the frame. All parts are back in the box as it was presented to F.S.H.
Last edited by Modelof1891; 10-18-2021 at 03:35 PM.
Reason: correction
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10-17-2021, 01:43 PM
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Unbelievable!!
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10-17-2021, 02:04 PM
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Wow, that’s way cool! Congrats!
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Pass it on.
Mark
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10-17-2021, 02:05 PM
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I remember seeing that case and barrel. What a find for you!! Congratulations! Buy a lottery ticket yet?
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10-17-2021, 02:13 PM
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When the centerfire conversion is mounted, will the hammer be properly oriented to hit the centerfire primers?
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10-17-2021, 02:26 PM
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What iby said above in post #2 ^^^^ Truly Unbelievable !! Congratulations and good luck on your next lotto ticket ...
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10-17-2021, 02:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ralph7
When the centerfire conversion is mounted, will the hammer be properly oriented to hit the centerfire primers?
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Yes indeed--because the hammer's orientation was never altered to begin with. The (.22) single shot barrel, on the other hand, was bored on a bias-----a very sneaky bunch, those folks in Springfield.
Ralph Tremaine
Last edited by rct269; 10-17-2021 at 02:52 PM.
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10-17-2021, 02:56 PM
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The gods of gun collecting have been smiling on you. Amazing!
John
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10-17-2021, 03:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Modelof1891
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That is a wonderful story, befitting a beautiful gun. Thank you so much for sharing - I love happy endings!!!
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10-17-2021, 03:22 PM
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That’s amazing! Can not imagine the odds of that happening. What a beautiful cased set……reunited.
You were blessed for sure.
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10-17-2021, 03:40 PM
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Outstanding gun karma!
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10-17-2021, 03:48 PM
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info
Quote:
Originally Posted by ralph7
When the centerfire conversion is mounted, will the hammer be properly oriented to hit the centerfire primers?
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The answer is yes, the bore on the single shot .22 barrels were angled so they line up correctly.
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10-17-2021, 03:51 PM
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info
You were lucky to find the cased companion, I watched the same auction, decided not to bid on it at my age I figured the odds of ever finding the single shot were too steep, or I would have bid it up higher than it sold for.
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10-17-2021, 04:04 PM
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Great find Terry! What a beautiful set!
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10-17-2021, 07:22 PM
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Wow. Wow! Again- WOW!
It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
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Lee Jarrett
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10-17-2021, 07:26 PM
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I got excited and forgot to say-
Send Roy some good pics of it or try to get him to look at these by posting a link to this thread in a Question for Roy. I do believe the Gustave himself cut it.
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Lee Jarrett
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10-17-2021, 07:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
I got excited and forgot to say-
Send Roy some good pics of it or try to get him to look at these by posting a link to this thread in a Question for Roy. I do believe the Gustave himself cut it.
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Never mind- I couldn't wait and posted a question for Roy with a link.
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10-17-2021, 08:12 PM
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So happy you got the case from us!
George
Salt Lake Collectibles
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10-17-2021, 08:16 PM
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Now THAT story is what gun collector’s dreams are made of!
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Terry Lester
Last edited by lestert357; 10-17-2021 at 09:47 PM.
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10-17-2021, 08:23 PM
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I had been watching the auction and thinking how grand it would be to reunite it with it's gun. I didn't dream I would see it happen!
I can't adequately relate how happy it makes me to see this, and how happy I am for you!
And what a package!
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10-17-2021, 08:28 PM
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Its incredible that you were able reunite the pair and that their both still in remarkable condition. It just goes to show that you’ll never find what you’re looking for if you quit looking.
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Regulators mount up!
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10-17-2021, 08:34 PM
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Absolutely gorgeous good for you vidd
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10-17-2021, 08:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by George_in_SD
So happy you got the case from us!
George
Salt Lake Collectibles
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Many “Thanks” George!!! It brings me great joy!
Thanks to all posters!! I am so excited!!!!
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10-17-2021, 08:49 PM
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I'd HAVE to put the revolver together wearing the pearl grips for a full set of pics!
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Lee Jarrett
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10-17-2021, 09:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
I'd HAVE to put the revolver together wearing the pearl grips for a full set of pics!
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Sounds good to me!!
Posting in that configuration soon!
Thank you for asking Roy about the engraver.
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10-17-2021, 09:40 PM
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Amazing, just amazing! What a homecoming! I'm grinning for you.
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10-17-2021, 10:15 PM
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That’s awesome! I saw the case for sale too and wondered the odds of finding the matching pistol. Congratulations!
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10-17-2021, 10:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KSK
That’s awesome! I saw the case for sale too and wondered the odds of finding the matching pistol. Congratulations!
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Thank you! I had the Single Shot and wondered what the odds were in finding the matching .38 revolver barrel and cylinder.
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10-17-2021, 11:47 PM
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Great story. Amazing blessings all around on this one
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10-18-2021, 07:02 AM
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1891 Factory Engraved
Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
I'd HAVE to put the revolver together wearing the pearl grips for a full set of pics!
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Here you go Lee!
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10-18-2021, 02:59 PM
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That is awesome!
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10-18-2021, 03:38 PM
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What are the odds?
What an extraordinary cased set. Hard to imagine any better. What a blessing you are able to enjoy the reunited cased set. That's the stuff collectors dreams are made of! I almost fainted just from looking at the photos. Thanks for posting.
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10-18-2021, 03:41 PM
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Maybe some research of Augustus C. Freeman will reveal who F.S.H. was and what their relationship was.
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10-18-2021, 04:49 PM
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1891 Factory Engraved
I wish I had the time and connections to research as detailed as some others on here do.
This is the information on the letter.
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10-18-2021, 05:07 PM
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What a remarkable story! Thank you for sharing and congratulations
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10-18-2021, 05:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Modelof1891
I wish I had the time and connections to research as detailed as some others on here do
This is the information on the letter.
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here is a start hope this works vidd .goggle a c freeman punta Gorda historical couldn't connect link
Last edited by Vidd; 10-18-2021 at 05:57 PM.
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10-18-2021, 06:46 PM
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Wow is all I can say and an understatement for sure
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10-18-2021, 08:27 PM
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WOW!!
Normally I would say go out and buy some lottery tickets. But, in this case, you already hit the JACKPOT, Congratulations!
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10-18-2021, 09:44 PM
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Punta Gorda FL
Commissioner, Mayor, Sheriff. Hardware store owner and undertaker
Last edited by SWSC; 10-18-2021 at 09:47 PM.
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10-18-2021, 10:50 PM
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1900 census states he was born Feb 1863 in Georgia, is grocer hardware in Punta Gorda, Fl.
Wife is Minnie
AC Freeman was Sheriff of Desoto County, Fl from 1905-1913
Last edited by SWSC; 10-18-2021 at 11:22 PM.
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10-19-2021, 10:17 AM
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Unbelieveable, just unbelieveable. Good for you. Another piece of history that will continue as it should be.
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10-19-2021, 10:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Modelof1891
This is the information on the letter.
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You need a new letter.
That one obviously omits the fact that it shipped in a combo set. TELL Roy it is an 8". I would send pics of each complete gun, ALL the serial numbers on both, both sets of grips, and the case inside and out. They don't have to be deluxe pics- just CLEAR. I have often sent pics of guns with letter requests printed on plain copy paper.
I would include a pic of the number in the combo set list in N&J.
The more data Roy gets, the more he can tell you.
Then, check with the SWHF. There is not much chance they have anything because it is so early, but, he may have corresponded with S&W later.
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Last edited by handejector; 10-19-2021 at 11:03 AM.
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10-19-2021, 01:18 PM
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Letters
I have been told the letters state exactly what the books show. Doesn’t matter if what you see is different but correct.
I have others with all matching numbers but didn’t letter as combo sets.
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10-19-2021, 02:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Modelof1891
Letters
I have been told the letters state exactly what the books show. Doesn’t matter if what you see is different but correct.
I have others with all matching numbers but didn’t letter as combo sets.
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Terry,
You're an SWCA member. Take advantage of that and ask Roy if a set can be lettered as a set in "Questions for Roy".
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Lee Jarrett
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10-19-2021, 04:17 PM
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Wow just wow ! I doubt anyone could calculate the odds of being able to reunite this set...
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10-23-2021, 12:46 PM
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Terry,
After seeing your Combo Set I have been inspired!
Going through my misc bits and pieces, I have discovered the following:
A 1st Model Single Shot frame, complete plus the matching number rear target sight (serial number 19056), also includes the hard rubber target grips.
A 2nd Model Single Shot 10” barrel with a bead front sight (serial 1496)
A 2nd Model DA 4” barrel and matching cylinder (serial 91227) Has front blade sight, missing the rear latch, screw, spring and plunger.
I know a local woodworker that could make a nice presentation case.
So, I figure that finding a rear latch (plus mounting parts) and a set of standard grips, I could assemble a really “cosmopolitan” combo set…..
Don’t think the Ivory Grips are in the mix and finding an engraver would really be pushing it………..
(Also appears that I might need the screwdriver...)
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10-23-2021, 03:12 PM
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Ooooh my! Nothing left I can say! Just beautiful.
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10-25-2021, 09:35 AM
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Vendor
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That is simply stunning ! And what a story to go with it ! Any makers marks on the box or either set of grips, providing you would dare take the ivory off the frame. Congratulations on a once in a lifetime find, and thanks for the photos.
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11-02-2021, 09:25 AM
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1891 Factory Engraved Cased Combo Set
There are no makers marks that I can tell on either sets of grips or the case. The ivories were listed on the letter as being sold with the gun. The pearls have the same monograms as the ivories.
Thanks to all !!!
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11-09-2021, 07:30 AM
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Banned SCAMMER !!! < SCAMMER * SCAMMER * SCAMMER * SCAMMER * SCAMMER * SCAMMER * SCAMMER SCAMMER * SCAMMER SCAMMER * SCAMMER SCAMMER * SCAMMER SCAMMER * SCAMMER
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Great find! And a once in a lifetime story, thanks for sharing
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Posting Rules
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