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07-30-2009, 09:26 AM
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A 3½” Pre 27 That Shipped To A Hotel in 1952
Even though I posted this gun on this Forum a few years ago, I thought I’d post it again as it has somewhat of an interesting history.
It is a mint condition 3½” .357 Magnum (pre 27) that shipped in September 1952, that seems to have been destined for a police department somewhere on the west coast possibly. From observing this guns like new condition now, it certainly could not have actually seen much if any holster time by an police officer.
Of interest is who the gun shipped to at the hotel.
As far as it's final destination it's unknown, however maybe it went to a Chief of Police and he kept it in a drawer, or took it home shortly after he acquired it. It’s fun to speculate as to where it went after the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, CA, which was then and still is today, a very fancy hotel.
Last edited by 230grfmj; 07-30-2009 at 09:28 AM.
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07-30-2009, 09:45 AM
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A very interesting ".357". It would be nice to know all of its history. Thanks for posting it again.
Bill
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07-30-2009, 09:53 AM
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Wow!
Just WOW!
Didn't see this last time you posted it.
Beautiful gun, box in awesome shape too.
My dream gun...
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07-30-2009, 10:09 AM
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As soon as I read "hotel" I figured it was sent to a sales rep on the road and that appears to be the case. Probably was sold (or maybe given) to a high ranking official as a bribe... er, I mean incentive to show the quality of the S&W revolvers they hoped to sell in large numbers to the agency. I suspect the recipient of this gun drove a desk rather than a patrol unit and it very likely is unfired. The chief of police is not a bad guess. You might research who was chief of the LAPD or county sheriff at that time and see if you can document ownership. I would not be a bit surprised if it were one or the other of them who got this.
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07-30-2009, 10:23 AM
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The old Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angles is an upscale spot that has apartments for permanent residents. The individual may have lived there full-time.
Jerry
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07-30-2009, 11:03 AM
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Very interesting story - thanks for posting it again (I was probably not a member here the first time you posted this) 
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07-30-2009, 11:50 AM
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A quick Google search of Harold O. Austin came up with this:
Collector's Firearms
Last edited by Sgt Neutron; 07-30-2009 at 11:53 AM.
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07-30-2009, 12:45 PM
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Since he was a sales rep, no doubt H.O.A. stayed in many hotels. But as mentioned by some of the other posters, it was not uncommon for men to live permanently in a hotel back in the day. I imagine this was especially true for well-to-do bachelors, and perhaps those posing as bachelors, as well.
I did a search on "George Cake Co" and got this:
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=103480
And this
Quote:
Many western states, particularly Northern California and Nevada police and sheriff badges will bear the George F. Cake hallmark, either as a round disk applied to the back of the badge, or a stamp resulting in incuse lettering.
George Cake was not a badge manufacturer, but a police and municipal supply dealer. The badges marked with the Cake hallmark were made by V. H. Blackinton.
It is not uncommon to find old George F. Cake catalogs on ebay. The were one of the biggest police suppliers and catalog mail order companies in California.
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I wonder why it was billed to the George Cake Co., but delivered to Harold Austin? 
By the way, beautiful revolver and fascinating story, 230GrFMJ!
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Last edited by Jack Flash; 07-30-2009 at 01:00 PM.
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07-30-2009, 03:17 PM
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Very interesting thanks for sharing.
Dave
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07-30-2009, 03:27 PM
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The Biltmore. Apparently S&W didn't skimp on travel expenses. Very cool revolver. I have a couple badges with the George Cake hallmark.
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07-30-2009, 03:32 PM
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Tom, this is way too cool!
Chuck
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07-30-2009, 07:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Flash
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Don't want to cause too much thread drift here, but that was a nice 3" M19. Someone got a rare gun in CA.
Bob
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07-30-2009, 08:09 PM
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tom, thanks for bringing that one back. that is one beautiful revolver with an interesting beginning. lee
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07-30-2009, 08:50 PM
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Very cool...just goes to prove you should always letter a pre-model gun
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