This M&P shipped to W&K in the 1928 time frame. It was carried by George Edgar Chollar. He was Assistant Chief of Police in Ft. Worth in 1915 and Chief of Police in 1917-18. Chollar was elected Sheriff of Tarrant County in 1928 and carried the gun at that time. It has the same engraving and carved pearl grips as the others that we have recently been posting about.

The gun belongs to an old friend of mine who frequently has it on his table for sale. It is rarely looked at because it is priced more than most folks want to pay and the majority of gun show attendees fail to appreciate the collectability that this "kitsch" style is achieving.



















Bob

What a wonderful old Smith and full of history too. Did you get it from somebody who displays at the Dallas Gun Show? I probably walked past it at least 30 times and never noticed it. Congrats on a fine catch.

Charlie

That is just flat out neat. Even better wih the history.

Kool Gun awesome story Thanks for Sharing...

Rick

Very nice!!

Charlie,

It's not mine. (yet). Yes, it was at the Dallas Mkt. Hall Show in the annex on the east side of the large room. On the same table was a Gustave Young engraved, ivory gripped Colt 1849 Pocket Model...perhaps you remember that one.

Bob

Very Cool Bob - hope you "acquire" it!

That looks good... I like it!

Thanks for posting.

__________________
Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

Bob,

Thanks for the post and pictures of another showy old S&W. Most of the previous posts have involved N frame guns. Is this fairly unusual to find the similar "glam" treatment in a K frame? I like the looks of this gun a lot and the recent threads involving these guns as a historical subset are well deserved - they speak to an interesting historical and geographic phenomenon. I would suspect there are a lot of Colts that got similar treatment.

Thanks,

Jerry

Cool! thanks for sharing the story and gun.

Jerry,

It is my gut feeling that the K frame "Pawn Shops" are less common than the N Frames but I don't know that anyone has any empirical evidence. Maybe Dan M can help us here.

In the world of Smith collecting there are lots of instances where the K frame guns or their parts (i.e. grips, adapters, etc.) are less frequently found but still bring less than their big brothers so rarity doesn't always have the effect that we would expect. We'll have to wait and see with this one.

Bob

Bob,
I Like it I love the fact that the engraving is the basic same design that we see on so many of the N-Frames Your new one has this design doesnt it ? A complete package there !!!
This is only the 3rd K-Frame I have seen, I bought mine from Lee a year or so ago. There are lots of SA Colts that I have seen with the W&K engraving and Pearl Steerheads, And they are usually priced way above my price range.

Bob,

As a long time collector of engraved guns (mostly Colts and N frame Smiths) I have not seen many engraved K frames like that one. What would you expect to pay for K frame like that one?

SJ

SJ,

Since a forum member is attempting to purchase the piece, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to quote the price that was placed on it. I will say that it is priced significantly more than several of us have paid for comparable N frame guns lately.

Bob

Bob,

I understand, I was just curious because as I said, I haven’t seen many engraved K-frames. I wouldn’t want to hurt someone’s chance to buy a nice revolver. I log on almost everyday but I don’t often post. I find that I learn more that way. Thanks for the message.

SJ

Great gun with an outstanding history.

In the absence of a dire emergency, it apparently has more significance to us than to the previous owner. Not slamming anyone, but something just isn't right about getting rid of your grand dads gun especially with so much history. It is sad to me. Almost like no one has any affection for the past or items special to someone in the family. Of course my kids will probably do the same. Just so much that can be converted to cash for them. No appreciation at all. That is really sad. I'm gonna go and have a good cry now.

+1 50 target

My wife asked me at dinner tonight if I was going to give my oldest son my duty gun - my answer was "if he wants it".

Then told her that I wish I had my grandfathers duty gun (he was LEO & then Chief of Police in Muskogee OK).

But he was firmly against me being a LEO and he gave his gun away before I was old enough to ask for it.

Seems he didn't like guns - isn't that funny?

50 Target,

In general, I would agree with you. You're correct in your comment that "it is really sad".

However, there are frequently circumstances of which we know little or nothing.

In the case of the two engraved, lawman related, W&K revolvers that I have recently written about I can tell this: One belonged to the remaining elderly daughter with no heirs. The income from the sale was more significant at this point in her life than the weapon. She still has fond memories of her father and his career but memories don't overcome hunger or put a roof over your head. In the other instance, the original owner was apparently abusive and the selling descendant wanted nothing to remain to recall that abuse.


History is rarely as simple to those who live it as to those who view it retrospectively.

Bob