Shotguncoach, an amazing historical find. And that certainly puts an end to any rumors that Elmer blew up any of the Smiths he used.
1950 Target letter of authenticity....with a big bonus!
- Thread starter Shotguncoach
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I thought I remembered reading in one of his books that he blew one up with a handload on his birthday...
...Ben
Awesome find!I thought I remembered reading in one of his books that he blew one up with a handload on his birthday...
You are fortunate it survived.
This is a fantastic story and it was great fun to read the letter.
My question is… was this a serial number that you had previously posted in the “ask Roy” on the SWCA forum, where you are given that hint “this is an interesting revolver” or however that goes?
Did you have reason to suspect that the letter would reveal such a treat, or was it a complete shock?
My question is… was this a serial number that you had previously posted in the “ask Roy” on the SWCA forum, where you are given that hint “this is an interesting revolver” or however that goes?
Did you have reason to suspect that the letter would reveal such a treat, or was it a complete shock?
OP
Complete shock…I didn’t do an ‘Ask Roy’ because I was going to letter it eventually.
I hope you bought a lottery ticket.
I imagine this revolver saw its fair share of 250 grain Keith SWCs loaded over 17.5 grains of 2400 in its day. 
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So....where's the other two...?
I only recently started collecting but I am lettering what I can. The value is completely secondary to authenticity and provenance. Compared with what we're spending on guns, to me it's a no brainer, so I joined the Collector's and Historical and it's best $75 I've ever spent getting a letter. I actually got goosebumps when they described my pre-29 and it shipped exactly as I found it. I got the name of the sporting goods company that ordered it and now I'm looking for ads and catalogs from that company and that same time period.
I find, in general, there is a little bit too much emphasis on value/money/return/perfection in all kinds of collecting. Let's face it, we love guns but we must not love our bank money as much. That's OK as long as we have the extra $$$ and our spouses approve or at least don't leave us
.Where else can we get this much entertainment and actually get most of our money back in the long run?
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Hey you catch on fast for a new guy!...But I guess I'm kinda new all over again...After kickstarting my accumulation about 4 years ago following a hiatus of about 12 years, I'm also lettering and collecting provenance of all kinds for my guns...The history of each one is my favorite part of collecting, so I'm lettering mine at the rate of about 3 a month which is all my limited Social Security income allows for...
As much as I'd like to find a big score in my mailbox like Len did, I'm just as happy knowing some of the tidbits that surface when that big envelope from Don arrives...
...BenGreat find. I find myself wondering if that wonky front is what Keith had on it. Even though it’s the style it came with, Keith may have used a custom sight of his own design, and the next owner changed it back with the wonky one.
OutAtTheEdge
Member
Shotguncoach, I'm curious now how you came by this gun. Was it a random gun store find, or had it been traded amongst collectors for a while? It would be interesting to learn about the journey from Elmer to you.
BigMuddy
Member
I thought I remembered reading in one of his books that he blew one up with a handload on his birthday...
That was a Colt SAA, and it didn’t “blow up”. The loading gate blew off cutting his thumb. It was a black powder load with a heavy rifle bullet.
Dan
Thanks Dan, the intervening years between reading that originally and this moment have not been kind to my memory...It's good to have someone here who can correct me...
...Ben
OP
It came to me without any provenance or history in 2018. I was surfing through the Rock Island Auction online catalog and found a pair that didn't seem to be described correctly. This is everything I knew when I bought it:
Lot 2855: Two Smith & Wesson DA Revolvers
Two Smith & Wesson Double Action Revolvers
Auction Location: Rock Island, IL
Auction Date: June 22, 2018
Item 1)
S&W Pre-Model 21 Revolver
Manufactured circa 1923-24
Model: 44 Hand Ejector
Gauge: 44 mag
Serial number S98758
Rating:
ND - VERY GOOD- in working condition, 80% finish or better, appreciable wear on working surfaces 80% - 89%, no corrosion or pitting, minor surface dents or scratches. Wood condition commensurable with percent of finish with dings and dents associated with 80% - 89% gun.
Description:
Manufactured circa 1923-24.
Item 2)
S&W .38 Hand Ejector Revolver
Manufactured circa 1946-47
Model: 38 DA
Gauge: 38 special
Serial number S66110
Rating:
ND - VERY GOOD- in working condition, 80% finish or better, appreciable wear on working surfaces 80% - 89%, no corrosion or pitting, minor surface dents or scratches. Wood condition commensurable with percent of finish with dings and dents associated with 80% - 89% gun.
Description:
Manufactured circa 1946-47.
It's pretty obviously NOT a 1923 hand ejector, and the images allowed enough zoom to read .44 Special on the side of the barrel so I put a bid on it and waited....and here we are.
Edit: No, I haven't lettered the .38/44 yet and wasn't really planning on it, but now I'll letter it just in case. I doubt that it will turn up anything special, but....
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Completely unfair. In the name of equity you should ship that to my FFL immediately, with the letter and invoice.
I'll do better than that...Ship it to my FFL today and keep the letter for your memory book...I'll spring for my own letter...Completely unfair. In the name of equity you should ship that to my FFL immediately, with the letter and invoice.
...Ben
I'll do better than that...Ship it to my FFL today and keep the letter for your memory book...I'll spring for my own letter...
Your generosity is overwhelming.
"Don't leave us" Is that a real possibility??? Just kidding honey.....
Very nice find and I wonder if the consignor had any idea. Another reason to either sell your collection prior to the big dirt nap or leave very specific instructions for your heirs so that $5,000 guns don't get sold for $500.
This and the Annie Oakley .22/32 that subsequently sold at auction for thousands after the new owner lettered the gun are just examples or answers to that time old question, "should I letter this gun?"
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