$1,000 REWARD

[rct269]

What for? The opportunity to examine First Model Single Shot #14272 for a few moments. (1st Model SS #14272 is a blue, 10", .22, shipped October 5, 1895 to Hartey & Graham Co. in New York City. It was part of a two gun shipment, the other also a .22 single shot----------according to company records.)

What's this all about? I recently acquired 1st Model Single Shot #14272. (Sound familiar?) I was (and still am) entirely satisfied it is a completely legitimate and original piece. Right about here I should probably mention the fact that my #14272 is a blue, 8", .32. (!!!!) I order a letter. It arrives in due course-------and here we are.

So what to do? Am I to believe the company records or my lying eyes? Are the company records infallible? Of course not! Prove it! Aye, and there's the conundrum!!

A wise man once told me there are things that are right------and things that are wrong. Then there are things that are so------and when a thing is so; it doesn't make any difference whether it's right or wrong. Factory letters say what the company records say--------they say what is so.

How is this going to work? You are going to put the 10" .22 into my grubby little paws for a few moments, and then I'm going to give it back to you-------along with your reward. If logistical considerations preclude a face to face meeting, I'll pay the shipping both ways. If you're concerned about getting your gun back from my grubby little paws, I'll be happy to post a bond in an amount of your choosing with an acceptable third party. Perhaps one of our moderators can be pressed into service.

I may be reached via PM, or email me by clicking on my User ID and going to my profile, or at 423 447 2824. I live in East Tennessee-----in the central time zone (just barely).

Ralph Tremaine

 

[H. M. Pope]

Hi Ralph,
I haven't posted here in awhile because of some misunderstandings by some of the members so please don't read something into this other than the info I'm passing on.

I cant help by sending you that SS # 14272, but I do know that # 14277 is a 8 inch 22 in blue shipped 1895.

As to the factory letter, I'm sure you have handled more than enough S&W's by now that you know a "right" one from a wrong one. I don't doubt one bit that your # 14272 is correct, it just wont letter as such. I've had many SS's and other S&W's that wont letter, but no matter what the letter says I
know that they were right.

Please don't take this the wrong way, I could care less about what the records say in cases like this, the bottom line for me is what I have in my hand, and sometimes that's much more important that what is printed in a letter.

Again,
I'm NOT degrading Roy J. or the factory records, but I've had more than my share of letters saying that the gun I have is not what was shipped, and I've seen many others that say the same thing. Factory's, and believe it or not, Roy, do make mistakes, the records were done by humans, just like you
and I, and Roy J.
Regards
H. M. Pope

 

[Modelof1891]

Single Shot Wonders

Hello,

I do not have the 14272 serial number you are looking for.

I do have 14261 1st Model Single Shot in .38 S&W and an 8 inch barrel. Also with matching number .32 S&W in a 6 inch barrel. All blued and looks as if the 8 in. .38 matches the frame in wear, with the 6 inch barrel hardly used.
I have not sent for a letter yet to confirm what I see.

Terry

 

[rct269]

Hi Terry!

When I first saw "my number" was listed (in N&J) as a .22, my first thought was it was a .22 with an extra .32 barrel-------and I had part of the package. No such luck! Or, at least no such luck so far.

My first problem, even after all these years, was the realization that I didn't know exactly what Mr. Roy looks at when he does the research for a letter. I decided (if he sees the invoice) the price would be a dead giveaway------a single gun costs X----a single gun with an accessory costs X+. And I figured he'd spot that difference right off. I know he sees the invoice at least sometimes, because I have letters on other guns where he has mentioned the amount billed. I also figured a single gun with an accessory would be a "special order", and I have more than a few letters where he has noted the particular gun was a special order-----------not this time.

We'll see what's what after this mystery is solved---if it ever is!

Ralph Tremaine