RM Vivas
US Veteran
Archival Observations:
Super Engraved Registered Magnum; .357 Magnum Revolving Rifle
Super Engraved Registered Magnum; .357 Magnum Revolving Rifle
Some coolness ……
Dr. Robert W. Knight of Seneca Falls, N.Y. was a man with an eye for engraving. In a series of letters to S&W he sent back his gun, RM4249/57136, for a sight replacement. In his letter he describes having had over $300 in engraving done to the gun by Josef Fugger, a house engraver for Griffin & Howe and a contemporary of Kornbrath (samples of Fuggers work: https://www.hallowellco.com/joseph_fugger.htm ). In todays money, that’s the equivalent of buying your gun for x and then spending 5x for engraving!
F.H. Miller of the S&W Service Dept., to whom the letter was addressed and who might be expected to know a fine gun when he sees one, opined in his response to Mr. Knight:
“…This revolver stands as one of the finest examples of engraving, inlaying, and hand gun decoration we have ever had the pleasure to view. The design is tastefully arranged and masterfully executed, and the subject matter is entirely in keeping with the general use for which this arm was intended. You have completed a thing of beauty from which we are sure you will derive an unending source of satisfaction…”
Of course, the gun was to be fitted with ebony Roper grips.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found any images of the gun, which must be legendary, as even the local newspapers crowed about it when it was placed on display.
Syracuse Herald Journal 1946-06-04 p. 15
Apparently, Dr. White was a man who appreciated the finer things life had to offer, as he also owned boats, aircraft and a rather nice lakeside cottage!
Dr Knight also had some rather interesting ideas about a revolving rifle in .357 Magnum.
In a letter to David Murray of 19SEP45, Dr.Knight mentions a desire for a Magnum with an 18.5” barrel, preferably with shoulder stock, in the lines of the old .320 revolving rifle.
Somewhat surprisingly, Mr. Murray, in a letter of 22SEP46, states that not only does he like the idea, “…we have considered making up such a gun ourselves….”
He then alludes an article in the March 1939 American Rifleman about a rifle made in .357 Magnum. I looked that up (I have adecent library in my office) and while it was a rifle in .357 Magnum, it was a small action Remington Rolling Block. I think an homage to the revolving rifle but in a Registered Magnum would have been extremely cool.
I wonder where RM4249/57136 is today?
Best,
RM Vivas
There’s quite a bit of interesting things like this within the archives of the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation and most would never see the light of day without the support of collectors. Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation; you’re a member, aren’t you? S&WHF Membership Link
EDITED TO ADD:
The brain trust over at S&WCA (another organization you should join if you're not already a member - Smith & Wesson Collectors Assoc. - Link) determined that the cover of the 5th annual edition of Gun Digest is the subject revolver. Possessed of a phenomenally unorganized but expansive library, I just happened to have a copy.
The inside cover blurb does not mention the engraver or gun serial number but does state it is from the collection of a collector in Skokie, IL. I'm cautious because there is no direct link, as yet, between this illustrated gun adn the subject gun in the documents. However, the brain trust states that a S&WCA member owns the gun and......
Best,
RM Vivas
