.44 Double Action Frontier once owned by Federal Duck Stamp Pioneer

[mrcvs]

I have intentionally refrained from posting this one on the Forum, as I had hoped to be able to write an article about it for the Journal. However, I am unpublished and may not have the exciting information I had hoped for. Yes, this revolver did once belong to Connecticut Republican Senator Frederic Walcott, who was a U S Senator from 1929 to 1935. And, he might perhaps be considered, if not the "father" of the Federal Duck Stamp, one of the pioneers behind its creation: An Unsung Conservation Pioneer – Delta Waterfowl

Specifically: "Frederic C. Walcott, who was elected to the U.S. Senate from Connecticut in 1928, co-sponsored the bill that created the Federal Duck Stamp. Before serving in the U.S. Senate, Walcott had been fish and game commissioner for Connecticut. In 1921, Walcott penned an article titled, “The Necessity of Free Shooting Grounds,” which was a plea for public hunting lands. The article put forth the idea of a federal hunting license, and contained a drawing of this proposed license. It depicted a Canada goose, and the design of the license looks remarkably similar to a Federal Duck Stamp. And just like the Duck Stamp, this proposed license would have been sold at U.S. post offices. Bills supporting a federal hunting license were introduced in Congress in 1921, but did not pass.

Certainly though, Walcott’s effort was the forerunner to the Federal Duck Stamp, and he was proud to sponsor the Duck Stamp Act in Congress."

I had hoped that this revolver, Number 12250, assembled on 21 May 1901 (THANK YOU Ed (opoefc) for that information!) and shipped on 02 July 1901, might have shipped to Senator Walcott directly, but it did not, shipping instead to Sears, Roebuck & Co in Chicago. Perhaps Walcott purchased it by mail order, like so many others would have back then, or perhaps he bought it second-hand, just as I did.

Please forgive the photographs. Streaks are from Renaissance wax that was rubbed off to photograph, and despite being dark, the revolver has definitely not been reblued. Also, a collector asked me about whether or not the trigger guard was blued or case coloured. It is blued. My understanding is that the trigger guard of NM #3 revolvers were all case coloured, but the DA Frontier usually contained a blued trigger guard, just like this one.

And here's a link to the wikipedia page that details Senator Walcott's biography: Frederic C. Walcott - Wikipedia

[lestert357]

Very interesting! How did you connect the revolver to Senator Walcott?

[mrcvs]

Originally Posted by lestert357

How did you connect the revolver to Senator Walcott?

I know his descendants and purchased this revolver when his collection came up for sale at auction earlier this year.

[s&wchad]

If you haven’t already, it might be worth getting a notarized letter from the family describing how it passed through the family.

It looks like a really nice gun and documented provenance can’t hurt the value.

[mrcvs]

Originally Posted by s&wchad

If you haven’t already, it might be worth getting a notarized letter from the family describing how it passed through the family.

It looks like a really nice gun and documented provenance can’t hurt the value.

The auction description mentions the provenance: "Serial #12250, 44-40, 6" ribbed round barrel with a bright near excellent bore showing a few sparsely scattered light freckles and strong rifling throughout. This is a very handsome revolver retaining about 92% original bright blue showing some scattered thinning along the barrel and gripstraps that is toning to a pleasant mild gray-brown patina, some areas of light freckling and minor operational wear. The barrel hinge screw and sideplate screw show some light slot wear but this is rather unobtrusive. The hammer and trigger retain 90% stunning case-hardened colors with just some minor silvering along the trigger. The barrel address with patent dates and left-side cartridge designation remain crisp and clear. The black checkered hard rubber grips remain in excellent condition with a few areas showing some minor discoloration. The right panel is scratch-numbered to the gun and the left still retains its patent date along the lower edge. All of the serialized parts are matching, barrel-to-frame fit is solid and the action seems to function well mechanically with excellent timing and lock-up. A really lovely 44 DA in a more desirable chambering that would make an excellent addition to any Smith & Wesson collection. (13B9558-4) {ANTIQUE} [Senator Frederic C. Walcott Collection]"

[mrcvs]

This thread turned out to not be all that popular. My guess: The .44 DA Frontier Model is definitely the red-headed stepchild when it comes to the world of antique Smith & Wesson revolvers.

[Oyeboteb]

Originally Posted by mrcvs

This thread turned out to not be all that popular. My guess: The .44 DA Frontier Model is definitely the red-headed stepchild when it comes to the world of antique Smith & Wesson revolvers.

I like 'em!! I like 'em a lot in fact..!

I do not have one in .44-40, but I do have a few "DA" 1st and 2nd variation in .44 Russian.

Had meant to offer my compliments on your .44-40 Frontier Model but computer froze while I was composing and I had not got back to it promptly.

Don't feel bad...some of my Threads of New Model 3s and .44 'DA's, were a mite "quiet" too, more quiet than this Thread is...

Do you load and shoot for the old ones?

[iby]

Ian.
If you like them, it makes them more affordable for collecting.
I bought an outstanding 4" for $1800 a few years ago.
I thought it was a very good deal but I would be fortunate to sell it for more.
I rarely sell any guns.

[glowe]

Since you kind of asked, my take is that the guy is not as interesting as the gun. The hogleg DAs have never gained that much popularity in the collectors world, partially fueled by misinformation from decades ago, stating the guns were a piece of junk with too many parts that break. That has been repeated enough that I think it has soiled the model's reputation. I, on the other hand, hardly ever see a broken one and those that I have had throughout the years has worked great.

The other problem is that nobody has any idea who the guy was?? I actually did an Internet search and could not find his name associated with the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, so he has not only been forgotten to history, but maybe was never really known in the first place. I am a Life Member of Ducks Unlimited and know the detailed story about the creation of the Federal Duck Stamp Program, but have never heard of or read the name Frederic C. Walcott.

[mrcvs]

I guessed perhaps having .44 DA Frontier in the title of this thread might just elicit the response of "Next..."

Also I had hoped to be able to tie this gun into something a bit more exciting and at least there is an obscure link to the Federal Duck Stamp, but hopes of anything more exciting than that sort of fizzled.

At least the revolver has condition going for it.

[lestert357]

It’s a nice .44 DA Frontier with an interesting provenance. I would be proud to own it.

[mmaher94087]

mrcvs, keep digging for information. Look up his Obituary, write for his Coroner's Report and call his local Library Historian for newspaper articles on the man.

No guarantees but I traced a pathetic condition .32 Safety Hammerless to a murder in Santa Rosa, CA in 1956 using these sources starting with the Historian. The information led me to the Coroner's Report, then the Police Report and ultimately the court sentencing.

[Oyeboteb]

Provenance is it's own subject really...

Even famous 'in their day' ( or since ) is often not enough to matter...

Noteworthy Outlaw, Law Man, High Rank Military, or Wild West Show performer, those usually have a following.

Anyone else, it gets a little iffy, or, no one cares.

Just how it is!

[BMur]

I don’t know, I think the double action Frontier and Russian caliber are pretty famous guns. Belle starr was known to have had one. And John Wesley Hardin was carrying one when he was killed in the Acme saloon. If he wasn’t so drunk maybe things would have turned out differently. That’s just two pretty famous old west folks off the top of my head. I like them a lot and prices sure seem to be going up from what I’ve seen lately.

Murph

[mrcvs]

Originally Posted by Oyeboteb

Do you load and shoot for the old ones?

Yes, of course, and black powder only. Not to say I would never shoot this one, but I own a second .44 DA Frontier that is more cosmetically challenged and I have fired it on several occasions.

[mrcvs]

Originally Posted by BMur

...and prices sure seem to be going up from what I’ve seen lately.

Definitely not my observations. Antique Smith & Wesson revolver prices are soft right now. I believe I paid $2100 plus a 15% buyer's premium, or $2415. With shipping, I'm into this one about $2450. Researching sales prices, I noted a few of these with less finish than mine selling in the 3k range only a few years ago.

[Oyeboteb]

Originally Posted by BMur

I don’t know, I think the double action Frontier and Russian caliber are pretty famous guns. Belle starr was known to have had one. And John Wesley Hardin was carrying one when he was killed in the Acme saloon. If he wasn’t so drunk maybe things would have turned out differently. That’s just two pretty famous old west folks off the top of my head. I like them a lot and prices sure seem to be going up from what I’ve seen lately.

Murph

I gather similarly, the big frame "DA"s were well liked, and pretty popular and well thought of.

I'd have owned one back then, for sure.

Mine bark my Knuckle if I do not observe the "Jelly Bryce" style of Grasp..!

Full House .44 Russian with good Black Powder, you'd think you are firing .45 Colt.

It is no slouch!