Askins S&W Pre-29?

[Valmet]

I've inquired on here before about Col Charles Askins' Pre-29 (consensus was it was prob a 6.5") but I'm wondering if anyone has an inkling or an idea what happened to it? As a man who used guns his entire life I'm aware that some of his guns are out there, but always wondered about his? Anyone ever read or see anything pertaining to it aside from his somewhat infamous use of it in SE Asia?

 

[quinn]

I was at his son and daughter-in-law's home here in San Antonio about 20 years ago. They had preserved many (if not all) of his mounted trophies. There was a significant number of his firearms at the home as well. The home was a virtual museum at that time. However, I have not been there since so can provide no other info. Good luck on your search.

 

[Doc44]

I have no idea what happened to it, but it does have a 6 1/2-inch barrel. It is prominently featured in his article on the 44 Magnum, "A Man's Sixgun", published in GUN DIGEST, 11th edition, 1957, pp. 11-14. His story about shooting a VC with his 44 Magnum was published many years ago, but I cannot remember where.

Bill

 

[Photog]

Doc44: I believe the story about shooting a VC was in his book Unrepentant Sinner. An interesting book to read.
In general, the thing I found interesting about Askins and the .44 Mag was that when he first tested it he said something along the lines that recoil was stout (or something like that) but only men who have lace on their panties would be bothered by it. That is not a direct quote, as I read the article(s) over 45 years ago.
Then something happened, he reversed course and stated that recoil was severe enough as to not be controllable. Again, paraphrasing his remarks. I know he had a constant feud running with Elmer Keith, and I think that that may have had something to do with it.

 

[Valmet]

I have no idea what happened to it, but it does have a 6 1/2-inch barrel. It is prominently featured in his article on the 44 Magnum, "A Man's Sixgun", published in GUN DIGEST, 11th edition, 1957, pp. 11-14. His story about shooting a VC with his 44 Magnum was published many years ago, but I cannot remember where.

Bill

I'll have to hunt that Gun Digest up, thank you. Photog is correct, his account of the Pre-29 in SE Asia was in Unrepentant Sinner.