Although I don’t often go after fixed sight revolvers, I have always wanted a Pre War 1905 2” snub. Not long ago, I found an honest example on online auction. It had carry wear and looked to me like a fine example to try and add to my collection; I thought it may even have some history.

I messaged the seller and we struck a deal on a price. When it arrived, I was pleased at its overall condition (although some might not be), heck I was just happy to have found one at all, really. I initially took notice to one side of the cylinder which had lost its blue (but displayed absolutely no pitting) in random areas, almost like some type of liquid splattered on it and stripped the finish – perhaps Blood? It just struck me as a working man’s gun, and potentially a Law Enforcement gun. The letter would prove that to be somewhat true.

Here are a few shots of the gun;









And finally, the aforementioned area of blue loss on the cylinder - smooth as a baby's bottom



The snub, along with 5 more of the same variety, were shipped to Harry S. Goldstein Co., Tulsa, OK on January 17, 1936. They were earmarked on the order for the State of Oklahoma, Highway Department and Tax Commission.



The Oklahoma Department of Highways began operations in 1911, with just 4 employees. Around 1912, there were only approximately 6,500 vehicles in the entire state. By 1929, there were over 600,000 on the road. In the 30s, Oklahoma experienced an influx in crime; outlaws like “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Bonnie and Clyde, as well as other criminals, made their way into the state to try and get their share of the monies from the oil boom. Oklahoma was also appealing because of the lack of a large police force. The DOH and local police agencies barely had enough time to deal with the 500+ vehicular accidents that occurred annually, let alone chase “tommy gun” toting outlaws on the highway!

To combat this problem, Governor E. W. Marland, the 10th governor of Oklahoma, made a bid for a state police to the legislation in early 1937; he called it the Department of Public Safety and would spur the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The Department of Public Safety was officially a functioning agency by July 15, 1937.

A few pics of period OK LE transportation







Now, with that little bit of OK history out of the way, I’d imagine these guns (which were ordered approx. 1 yr. and 6 mo. prior to the inception of the DOPS) could have been ordered for DOH employees for self-defense purposes while the DOPS was being developed.

Overall, a pretty interesting little revolver. Also, shown with a period Heiser basketweave holster that our very own turnerriver was kind enough to part with! Thanks again John!







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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Neat gun, Kris!
I love historical pieces like this.

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John

A beautiful piece of history wrapped in another piece of history. I love it !
Those little suckers are hard to come by.

Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

Very interesting. I don't think there is very much history on the comparatively rare (genuine) pre-war 2"-barreled M&P's to be found, so it's neat to have one that checks out. It's also a surprisingly low serial for 1936; most "guestimates" would place a 597xxx around 1930. But the sequence is very unpredictable during the slow years of the Depression.

Mike Pacella (pace40) had a nice commentary on the prewar 2" M & Ps, but I can no longer find it and he has not been active on the Forum in almost 2 years.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Yes, Mike had a ton of these little gems!


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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

I know next to nothing about snub nose guns but find it quite interesting that other K frames of that era have barrel shaped ejector rods.

Are all pre war snubbies that way?

Great story and a very nice revolver. What we need now is a range report. Thanks for sharing.

Yes, I believe the two-inch barrel came with the straight knurled tip instead of a knob from the beginning. Otherwise, the shortened ejector rod would not go far enough into the yoke/cylinder for extraction.

Kris:

That's a beautiful package of history. Thanks for sharing.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Thanks Richard


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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Cool little gun Kris, and great post!
Part of what makes collecting these guns so interesting is the history that goes along with them.

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

Kris - is the gun actually "Marked" for the department as the letter suggests?

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Dave

Love this post! Great old S&W, fantastic pics, a little OKlahoma history, and a fine holster too! Thanks for sharing with us.

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America First

Nice presentation of a gun I'd love to own.

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Oh well, what the hell.

No, I think he meant the order was "marked" for them


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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

One of my Grail guns. I have been looking for one for several years, Nice find!

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Mossyrock

Wow! What a great find. Thanks for sharing the story and photos.

...great little revolver...would love to have one...

...click below for links on the subject from this forum...

Google

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A Country Boy Can Survive

Very nice gun........buuuut, if you could find me that 39? Ford squad car, I'd be one happy camper. Orrrrrr, that Harley 45, yep, that would do, too!!
But that cool snubbie would be fine, too! ;>)


Irv

Oh, and I like that mustache on the trooper, it looks like the wooly bear caterpillars we would put on our lip when we was kids. He He!

Love gun stories.

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Joshua 1:9

Seems like guns with Oklahoma history don't show up that often. Great little revolver with a great story. Congratulations.

Nice gun and a great story.

Interesting story on Oklahoma history of your revolver. I currently have our family Oklahoma history piece in the safe. It's a Colt model 1877 Lightning, 4", in 38 Colt. This belonged to my wife's grandfather, who was Creek County Under Sheriff right after Okla. became a state in 1907. The serial number puts it at 1909 manufacture. Never got to meet him but wife's grandmother had some interesting stories of him and early Okla.

Wonderful piece of history. Thanks so much for sharing!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

"I messaged the seller and we struck a deal on a price."
On an online auction, HMMM no wonder I never win these?
Steve

It was a fixed price listing. Not a no reserve auction.........


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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

It is strange that your SN is that low. Every K-frame SN I show within spitting distance to yours shipped in 1928-1930. And although the first K-frame snubbies did not ship until 1936 (according to a factory letter), I do list one which reportedly shipped in 1933 and another shipping in 1934. It seems likely that there were some earlier frames which remained in parts inventory for quite a few years prior to having been made up into snubbies. Due to the low pre-WWII production numbers (just a few hundred), it's probable that snubbies were made up only on special order rather than for factory inventory.

I have never quite understood why S&W did not start offering M&P snubbies until well after Colt had already captured the snubby market with their Detective Special (which was nothing but a short-barreled version of the Police Positive Special).

Sounds like a revenue agents gun because of the tax agency reference.

Nice catch!!

Best,
Charles