Not too long ago, I posted about my acquisition of a blue 5" 1926 .44 from a pawn shop in Dalton GA. It was in poor shape and needed stocks. I spent a few days soaking and scrubbing the old 44. I was quite happy to learn that it was shipped to an individual Deputy WP Towery in Blue Ridge, GA.
A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a forum member posted a Nickel 5" Model of 1926 in the classifieds. I read the letter of authenticity which gave provenance to HC Collins of Blue Ridge, GA. I felt that I had to get these two 44s together. I pondered a connection to the Towery gun?
Blue Ridge is only a couple hours away, so I made a day trip over hopeful of finding information about the two men in the letters.
I was able to learn that HC was Homer Claude Collins. He was Sheriff of Fannin County GA from 1940-1944. He would later be the Mayor and Commissioner. Collins deputized WP William Paschal Towery.
I was able to get in contact with Towery's daughter, who provided me with some history. Towery would later join the Army. Towery was a transport officer in GA as an Army MP. Towery would return to Blue Ridge where he would become the Chief of Police for the city Blue Ridge. Towery would move to Atlanta and became the owner of 13 filling Stations around town.
Towery's daughter provided me with a news article from when her father was Chief. She spoke with her brother who owns Towery's. 38 Army revolver. Both Mrs Towery and her brother feel that the .44 S&W would have been the gun that is referred to in the attached news article.
It would appear that Sheriff HC Collins could not be outdone by one of his deputies and ordered his own fancier 44 as the Sherriff. Towery's 44 was ordered and shipped first. I thought there was some fantastic history with these two 44s. I have reached out to Sherriff Collins grandson to inquire about his history, but have yet to get a response. I hope you all find these guys and guns as interesting as I do.
A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a forum member posted a Nickel 5" Model of 1926 in the classifieds. I read the letter of authenticity which gave provenance to HC Collins of Blue Ridge, GA. I felt that I had to get these two 44s together. I pondered a connection to the Towery gun?
Blue Ridge is only a couple hours away, so I made a day trip over hopeful of finding information about the two men in the letters.
I was able to learn that HC was Homer Claude Collins. He was Sheriff of Fannin County GA from 1940-1944. He would later be the Mayor and Commissioner. Collins deputized WP William Paschal Towery.
I was able to get in contact with Towery's daughter, who provided me with some history. Towery would later join the Army. Towery was a transport officer in GA as an Army MP. Towery would return to Blue Ridge where he would become the Chief of Police for the city Blue Ridge. Towery would move to Atlanta and became the owner of 13 filling Stations around town.
Towery's daughter provided me with a news article from when her father was Chief. She spoke with her brother who owns Towery's. 38 Army revolver. Both Mrs Towery and her brother feel that the .44 S&W would have been the gun that is referred to in the attached news article.
It would appear that Sheriff HC Collins could not be outdone by one of his deputies and ordered his own fancier 44 as the Sherriff. Towery's 44 was ordered and shipped first. I thought there was some fantastic history with these two 44s. I have reached out to Sherriff Collins grandson to inquire about his history, but have yet to get a response. I hope you all find these guys and guns as interesting as I do.
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