Caught this whilst trolling the local sporting goods board on a Saturday morning in December 2012. A 1926 Model .44 Military with 4" barrel, S69015. Matching everything. I love the holidays.
The historical letter arrived September 3, 2013. Three CD's filled with photos, documents, and newspaper clippings arrived November 20, 2013 from the Tyrrell Historical Library of Beaumont, Texas.
"We have researched your Smith & Wesson.44 Hand Ejector Third Model (Model of 1926) Post World War II, Transition Variation, caliber .44 S&W Special, in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number #S69015, was delivered from our factory on September 17, 1946 and delivered to Willie Bauer, City Detective, Division of Police, Beaumont, TX. This shipment was for one unit and it was billed at $31.60. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 4 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips."
William "Willie" Earl Bauer (1918-1988).
City of Beaumont Texas Chief of Police (1961-1984).
July, 1937 – Graduated from Beaumont High School.
July 15, 1938 – Joined Beaumont, Texas Police Dept. as a scout car officer. Hired by Chief L. B. Maddox.
1939 – Seriously injured in motorcycle crash while on duty.
1941 - Promoted to Sergeant.
July 1, 1943 – Promoted to Detective by Chief Ross Dickey.
September 17, 1946. S&W ships a new 1926 Model .44 Military Revolver to City Detective Bauer.
January 20, 1949 – Promoted to Captain by Chief Artie Pollock.
January 9, 1950 - Attended twelve-week FBI National Academy.
May 2, 1950 - Appointed Assistant Chief of Police.
February 6, 1961 - Appointed Chief of Police.
January 1984 - Retired.
Attached are photos of the 1926 Model .44 Military and Willie Bauer at various points in his career to early 1950, just before his appointment to Assistant Chief. The final photo shows the young Captain in uniform with, presumably, the holstered .44 by his side.
I have to wonder how this revolver, which belonged to a prominent lawman, traveled from east Texas to Phoenix, Arizona and ended up on a table at a gun show in 2002. Same as any other gun, I guess.
Sgt. Bauer is on the right. Circa 1940.
Bauer was one tough hombre. While on duty as desk sergeant during the 1943 Beaumont race riot he dealt with a mob of people (and clobbered a guy) attempting to take over the police station.
"People ran in and out of the building and pandemonium reigned, when one individual walked up to Bauer's window, shoved a pistol in his face, and informed him that the mob would momentarily take over the station. Bauer reached through the window, grabbed the individual's pistol, and knocked him unconscious with it, splattering blood on the window." - The Beaumont Race Riot, 1943 by James Albert Burran, III, B. A. (A Thesis in History. August 1973.)
Detective Bauer circa 1943-48. (Copyright Tyrrell Historical Library).
Captain Bauer and Chief Artie Pollock circa 1949. (Copyright Tyrrell Historical Library).
The historical letter arrived September 3, 2013. Three CD's filled with photos, documents, and newspaper clippings arrived November 20, 2013 from the Tyrrell Historical Library of Beaumont, Texas.
"We have researched your Smith & Wesson.44 Hand Ejector Third Model (Model of 1926) Post World War II, Transition Variation, caliber .44 S&W Special, in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number #S69015, was delivered from our factory on September 17, 1946 and delivered to Willie Bauer, City Detective, Division of Police, Beaumont, TX. This shipment was for one unit and it was billed at $31.60. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 4 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips."
William "Willie" Earl Bauer (1918-1988).
City of Beaumont Texas Chief of Police (1961-1984).
July, 1937 – Graduated from Beaumont High School.
July 15, 1938 – Joined Beaumont, Texas Police Dept. as a scout car officer. Hired by Chief L. B. Maddox.
1939 – Seriously injured in motorcycle crash while on duty.
1941 - Promoted to Sergeant.
July 1, 1943 – Promoted to Detective by Chief Ross Dickey.
September 17, 1946. S&W ships a new 1926 Model .44 Military Revolver to City Detective Bauer.
January 20, 1949 – Promoted to Captain by Chief Artie Pollock.
January 9, 1950 - Attended twelve-week FBI National Academy.
May 2, 1950 - Appointed Assistant Chief of Police.
February 6, 1961 - Appointed Chief of Police.
January 1984 - Retired.
Attached are photos of the 1926 Model .44 Military and Willie Bauer at various points in his career to early 1950, just before his appointment to Assistant Chief. The final photo shows the young Captain in uniform with, presumably, the holstered .44 by his side.
I have to wonder how this revolver, which belonged to a prominent lawman, traveled from east Texas to Phoenix, Arizona and ended up on a table at a gun show in 2002. Same as any other gun, I guess.
Sgt. Bauer is on the right. Circa 1940.
Bauer was one tough hombre. While on duty as desk sergeant during the 1943 Beaumont race riot he dealt with a mob of people (and clobbered a guy) attempting to take over the police station.
"People ran in and out of the building and pandemonium reigned, when one individual walked up to Bauer's window, shoved a pistol in his face, and informed him that the mob would momentarily take over the station. Bauer reached through the window, grabbed the individual's pistol, and knocked him unconscious with it, splattering blood on the window." - The Beaumont Race Riot, 1943 by James Albert Burran, III, B. A. (A Thesis in History. August 1973.)
Detective Bauer circa 1943-48. (Copyright Tyrrell Historical Library).
Captain Bauer and Chief Artie Pollock circa 1949. (Copyright Tyrrell Historical Library).
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