Although I have posted this gun before I feel it may be appropriate to post it again.

This is also a way to do another post to say thanks to Lee Jarrett for keeping this Forum alive and making it better all the time. I truly enjoy being a part of it and being able to learn from all the very knowledgeable collectors that post here.

It was owned by Gary Garbrecht who passed away in February 2005. There was little doubt that he was one of the largest collectors of Smith & Wessons anywhere in the world and was also known to be a true gentleman.

After his passing part of his collection was offered up to members of the S&WCA in a silent auction, and that auction was handled by another true gentleman and also was known to be one of the largest collectors and most knowledgeable collectors of Smith & Wessons anywhere in the world who just recently passed away, Ray Cheely.

It was an honor to have known both of those two people, which makes this gun even more special to me.

It is a .357 Magnum (pre 27) with a 3½” barrel. It is Class A factory engraved, and letters as such. It shipped in late December of 1955 to H.H. Harris in Chicago.

The letter from Roy Jinks refers to this gun as a Special Engraved Edition and indicates he believes the engraving was done by Russell Smith. He also mentioned in the letter that he feels this gun was probably one of the first guns engraved by Mr. Smith after he joined Smith & Wesson in May of 1955.

One of our very well known and extremely knowledgeable collectors here on the Forum Doc44, has also stated to me his opinion is that this gun was done by Russell Smith. He mentioned the pattern this gun is done in is indicative of Russell’s "early" style of engraving which featured flower blossoms. This style is rarely seen (if ever) in his later work.

The fit of these smooth rosewood target grips is nearly a perfect everywhere, as can be seen in the pictures below. Doc44 also told me this about these grips. “The shape of the stocks is typical for those made in the period 53-55/56. By 57, most of the flare at the bottom was gone, as was the palm swell. You mainly see these stocks on .357s, as they were the favorite model utilized by S&W's engravers in the 50s and that model was outselling all other N-frames by far.”

tom, you can't show that one too many times. maybe a "family" picture thread would be in order one of these days. lee

That's a handsome revolver. I like the engraving style and the flowers add to the visual interest. I'm sure you are proud to own this gun. I have several that belonged to deceased friends and they have priceless sentimental value to me.

Thanks for showing it again, I don't remember seeing it previously.

don't make them like that anymore, what great engraving work!

did they come in a standerd s&w box or would they have been
in a wood presentation box?

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George Jamison

Spectacular. The 357 Magnum doesn't appear any finer than that.

Great provenance coming from such a prestigous collection.

Regards ,,Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Tom:

From the posts that you have made, I believe that you have one of the finest 3.5 inch 357 magnum collections around. I would love to see it in person - maybe in Tucson next summer???

Thanks for posting that beauty!

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Absolutely gorgeous gun...and grips. Thanks for sharing

a true work of art! thanks for posting it.

I've never been a fan of engraved guns but this one tells me I've been missing something.

Dave

Very, very nice, indeed!

As my friend Onomea said, VERY,VERY NICE. Thank you for sharing it with us. All my best, Joe.

wow !
im a big fan of 3.5 inch 27s ( finally got my first one, a pre-27 a few months ago) and that gun is just really sexy.

your welcome to my BBQ anytime!

anybody have any idea what that kind of engraving would cost back in the day ?

Tom,

Thanks for posting the pics of that beautiful gun and for your remembrance of Gary and Ray.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Tom, as I'm sitting out on a deck overlooking Bar Harbor, Maine, the 357 mag you posted looks every bit as good as this place and it's downright beautiful here.
Thanks for posting it.
Chuck

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SWCA1517 SWHF256
Rangers LTW!

Tom, As I'm sitting out here on a deck overlooking the Bighorn Mountains near Sheridan, Wyoming at sunset and as Chuck states, "the 357 mag you posted looks every bit as good as this place and it's downright beautiful here!"
Thanks for posting it.

Man! Now I have to get a paper towel to wipe the drool off of my keyboard.

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Vaya con Dios

Tom,

Simply put...a wonderful gun. I enjoyed reading the attached story as much as viewing the great pictures. Thanks for putting forth the effort of tying the story with the gun.

This type of thread allows us all to learn something that you would never find anywhere else, but on this forum...


giz

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Non gratum anus rodentum