WHEN I PURCHASED THIS HEAVY DUTY EARLIER THIS YEAR AND ASKED ROY FOR A SHIP DATE, HE SAID IT WAS INTERESTING AND TO CALL HIM. HE SAID AT FIRST GLANCE, THIS GUN HAD CONNECTIONS TO DOUG WESSON. i TOLD HIM A LETTER REQUEST WAS GOING IN THE MAIL! ROY'S LETTER SAID THAT DOUG PICKED UP THE GUN, SERIAL NUMBER 40015, 5 INCH BLUE, ON 7 DEC 1933 AND DELIVERED IT TO BOSTON. THERE WASN'T A NAME IN THE RECORDS THAT HE DELIVERED IT TO NOR WAS THERE AN INVOICE, JUST THE SHIPPING RECORDS. THE ONLY CLUE THAT IT PROBABLY WENT TO A POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A SMALL STAMPED NUMBER, 106, ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME WHERE THE SINGLE LINE ADDRESS IS. THIS GUN HAS BEEN REFINISHED AND NOW SEEMS TO HAVE A COLD BLUE ON IT. IT DOES NOT HAVE THE FOULING CUP.



I GUESS THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE A MYSTERY, BUT AT LEAST WE KNOW THAT DOUG WESSON HAD THIS GUN IN HIS POSSESSION AT ONE TIME!
ENJOY!
BILL

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38-44heavyduty.com

Cool Gun Bill,

so whats your speculation about the "no fouling cup". let us know if you are able to solve the mystery.

Interesting specimen, Bill.
I agree, the number looks like a PD property or tracking number for issued guns.

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John

Bill,

Lots of interesting questions come to mind regarding that gun.... The stocks are beautiful. Are they the originals?

Please forgive my ignorance - but, what exactly you mean by describing the finish as "cold blue"? I have encountered what was described as "cold blue" - but that was for touch-up work. Further, the fouling cup is located right above (roughly) the forcing cone on the bottom of the top strap - right? So, you're saying that this area was never milled out at the factory?

In any event - I appreciate your sharing the mysteries surrounding that gun - and your enthusiasm in solving them.

Thanks Much & Best of Luck,

Jerry

Bill, If that 106 is an inventory number, then that means there is an inventory record somewhere. Start with the Boston PD's historical people and see if they have records of firearms issued/owned by the BPD in the 30s. I assume you have back tracked the gun's provenance as far as possible, and found no leads, or you would have posted that info here. A couple of years ago, Doug Wesson's personal correspondence, scrap books, etc were discovered in an old building in upper NY state. I reviewed that collection and there was quite a bit of interesting notes, letters, clippings, etc. Ray Cheely acquired that material and perhaps Ken Cheely can shed some light on your gun, should any of that material reveal a Boston connection. Ed # 15

Dan-Over the years we have tried to narrow it down to a serial number range when the fouling cup was discontinued. I have and HD, 42280, that has it. I'll find my notes and provide more feedback.
John-Good to hear from you. Hope you are staying safe in "Indian" country! Please come back in one piece!
Jerry-The gun does not have what we would call a gunsmith refinish on it and looks like someone may have just used cold blue to coat the gun. The stocks are not original.
Ed-I remember the info that Ray got and thought it had been digitized. I'll see if that is available. Thanks for the help and Merry Christmas!
Bill

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38-44heavyduty.com

Bill,

That has to be one of the more "neat" revolvers I have seen you turn up. Great job saving it!

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SWCA 1646

Ah- why are you yelling? :-)

Bill ,that gun is a real gem with the history and all. Glad we got to see it.