At the West Springfield gun show today, nothing really peaked my interest. The only thing that I was looking at was a third type model 60 LNIB that was overpriced. The show, for me was a bust. That all changed late in the afternoon. A man came to our tables and from his coat, he pulled out a picture frame. In the frame was the Monson Massachusetts Police Departments original of Daniel B. Wesson's License to Carry Firearms. He said he really didn't want to sell it and after a long conversation he left. Shortly before closing time he returned. Negotiations turned hot and heavy, dollar amounts were thrown around like manhole covers. He told us how he was offered a Dan Wesson Pistol Pac for it in trade. After the smoke cleared, he walked away with some green and I got another one of a kind piece of Wesson family history for my collection. I want to thank my good friend Ernie Rice for his help in convincing the previous owner to sell it to me.

Attached Images

D B Wesson license 039 (1280x960).jpg (66.3 KB, 324 views)

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Don Mundell

What an artifact! Did you get the story of how the seller obtained it? I think this would be a case of buying the story not the merchandise.

I seen that same model 60, I believe. Is that the one he wanted like (what the price tag looked like anyway) $825?

Where was your table? That license is a very nice piece of history! Thanks for sharing..

Brian
Yes, he came down from $850.00. He always has nice Smiths, and his prices aren't bad. I would have given it some serious thought, but, I have one exactly like it, only 49,000 numbers lower. My tables are 11 & 12. When you come in the main door I am on the wall on your left. I have the Smith & Wesson Table covers.

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Don Mundell

Don, that is a neat document from the past. Im happy it has entered the group of people that will appreciate it. Mike 2796

Don, The seller told me he found that license to carry in the S&W Dumpster? I doubted that story, as that meant he had outdumpstered you, and that would never happen ! Is that correct ? Ed.

Ed. WRONG!!!!!!!! He was running his own company in Monson Mass at the time. You can trust me, I ain't like the others. That license was picked out of the dumpster behind the Monson PD. Why would you doubt me?

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Don Mundell

Don, It wasn't you I doubted, just the seller. He was trying to impress me because he knows I own the zero serial numbered Club Gun issued to Doug that the License to Carry was for. Fortunately it wasn't in the Police dumpster where the license was found. Ed.

JUST A NOTE:

If you really care for this and want to preserve it, frame it properly! It must be framed with acid-free materials and have either a Rag Mat or spacer to get the glass off the actual document. Cotton Rag should be the ONLY THING touching the document both front and back. Conservation glass must be used to cut UV light from fading the document. If the DW License is left as is, degradation is unavoidable. I would suggest a visit to a local Professional Picture Framer - NOT one of the Chain Stores that does framing as they are famous for ruining documents!



Do NOT hang it in any direct sunlight or with any light hitting it directly. I am a collector and do know about these things from experience.

and I can only imagine that you are just thrilled that you can send Don (the king of club guns) that 0 numbered S&W to go with the license. It's nice to see such generosity between a father and his red headed step child.

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James Redfield
LM #497

James
If Uncle Ed were to send me his Club Gun, I would dye what's left of my hair red, and post pictures. Balls in your court Unkie.

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Don Mundell

Chief38
Thanks for the tip on framing. I have more Smith & Wesson paper professionally framed then most people have ever seen. When I framed all 13 pieces of the 1902 prints, it cost me almost as much to frame them as it cost me to buy them.
Don

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Don Mundell

Club Gun Fan:

Many times the Framing does cost as much or more than the object itself, however if it's worth getting in the first place it's worth preserving I suppose.

Almost like putting a $1000 scope on an $800 rifle. Anyway, just wanted to make sure you knew.

chief38. No problem. I agree. We are caretakers for the future. If it is worth buying, it's worth taking proper care. I can't tell you how devastating it was when I had my flood five years ago last month.
Don

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Don Mundell