It is a great honor for me to be the new owner of pre-39 SN: 1369.

After being contacted by Bob Frielich, a/k/a the "Tired Gunsmith", we met earlier today to discuss his pre-39 SN: 1369 which Bob purchased, new, in 1955.

Bob related that 1369 was one of the first shipment of 3, newly released S&W 9mms sent to Rex Firearms in NYC where Bob had been employed or a specialty gunsmith-contractor at the time. Bob opened his own store in NYC shortly after to become the preferred gunsmith to the New York City Police Department.

I had seen 1369 once prior at a meeting of the old South Florida "bunch" a few years back. Bob contacted me last night to ask if I would interested in owning 1369. I did not hesitate a moment to respond ... YES ! I believe when opportunity knocks there can be no indecision, hesitation or procrastination. I worked too hard for too many years to start procrastinating on an opportunity such as this.

Bob related to me that he felt it was time to pass the ownership of 1369, after 63 years, to someone he felt confident would cherish and care for as he has, all these years. Bob chose to offer it to me. Thank you, Bob.

Let me preface the rest of this post by stating, in NYC Bob Frielich was a near legend in his perfection of the work he performed. In days when the average gunsmiths were being paid an average laborer's wage, Bob charged a higher but fair price for the type of quality work he performed. Something I fully understand from doing the same in the auto restoration business. Bob owned a Rolls Royce, in fact a few over the years, while I only owned 1 Rolls Royce in the early 1990s but I have repaired hundreds of Rolls Royce and Bentley automobiles.

There was no discussion of price prior to our meeting but I will say I checked my bank balance before I left to meet him because July is renewal month for home insurance, car insurance, a property tax assessment and other such heavier expenses which I had just paid the previous week. We spoke for about 20 minutes, as I examined 1369 which shows only mild signs of being carried but still in 95%+ condition engraved with Bob's full name on the frame.

After about 20 minutes I asked Bob "how much do you need for it ?" Bob replied "a lot of money". Oh, no !!! Now thinking, do I have enough money ?

What he asked for 1369 was a price I thought to be a fair and reasonable. With no further banter, I cut the check thanking him with every stroke of the pen.

It is in the original numbered box, with the original green booklet, cleaning tools, screwdriver, wrapping paper, a new spare extractor, a new spare slide lock, 1 original flat follower magazine and 3 figure 8 (stamped steel) follower mags and a plastic follower mag for good measure, to make up for the missing, 2nd flat-follower magazine that had been stolen from Bob, years earlier.

Thank you, Bob.

Sal Raimondi, Sr.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Great story and congrats. She's a beauty.

That is truly a real treasure. A great purchase!

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Ken

You wrote a check? You told me you had pockets of green? Bob never sells
at market. I examined that pistol in hand. The overall condition and the
Trophy Shop engraving did not make me a buyer. True, the early Sn.
and goodies are a plus. Hope you got a bargain. Love, Mike

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

What can I say, Mike. I had a bad week, short on the folding "Franklins" this week.

If it had been engraved with a nobody name on it, I might tend to agree with your evaluation. That it is Bob's name engraved on the gun made it even more appealing to me. I'm from NYC. Bob's store was near the NYPD equipment bureau on Broome Street where I went to pickup my equipment in 1971 as an Auxiliary (volunteer) while testing for the regular PD. Could not get into Bob's shop or Rex without being a LEO or being accompanied by a LEO (or, of course, if they knew you). I was just a kid then, with my nose pressed up against the window.

Yeah, it's tough, Mike. Sometimes you have to make a concession to buy a scarce, collectible gun with all the original compents, box, papers, tools, extra parts, etc. included, and have to settle for a 95% condition, but that's the breaks.

I thought he asked a fair price. Someone else may have had a coronary thinking the price was too high but I am thoroughly and completely pleased.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

It pays to network good! Congratulations.

I am sure that gun if it could talk would have some great History to tell about its life while owned by the Original owner. Thats a real nice pistol which I am sure shoots as good as it looks also. Good for you for now owning it.

Sal,

As I said before....it's great to see a good guy get a gun that really makes him happy!! And again, I thank you for sharing with us.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Wow. Nice gun Its immaculate