Ed McGivern S&W's (38-44 specifically...)

[JimSupica]

A fellow SWCA member asked about a McGivern N frame .38 we have at the NRA National Firearms Museum, and I thought the info from a hands-on inspection of the gun might be of interest here.

The pix at the website links below are good - be sure to use the zoom function to check details if interested. I know some of the text is screwed up, we're workigng on fixing it.

Here tis:

S/n 37026.
Gold bead front, adjustable rear
Diamond magna grips
Radically extended front of triggerguard
Smooth grip straps
Replaced inscribed brass sideplate – “1932 McGIVERN MODEL / 38-44 S&W / 2 GROUPS OF FIVE / SHOTS EACH AT 20 FEET / TIME 9/20 SECOND EACH GROP / FIRED AUG 20TH 1932 / AT LEAD, SO. DAKOTA RIFLE / CLUB BY / ED McGIVERN / EACH GROUP ENTIRELY / COVERED BY HALF DOLLAR”

Our website version of the McGivern display is badly screwed up right now, but the gun in question is pictured here (the zoom function will let you read the inscription):

The National Firearms Museum: Smith & Wesson Pre-War .38/44 Police Target Model revolver

All McGivern guns pictured here:

The National Firearms Museum: Case 73B: Ed Mcgivern

Curators Corner video on McGivern here:
YouTube - ‪Fastest Shot in the World: NRA National Firearms Museum Curator's Corner‬‏

National Firearms Museum treasure gun video on McGivern here:
YouTube - ‪Ed McGivern's S&W 38-44 Hand Ejector. A National Firearms Museum Treasure.‬‏

Again, my apologies for the obvious text errors on the website, we’re in a long term process of cleaning it up and improving the info provided, but I thought it might be of interest.

So, what is it? The s/n is before the generally accepted intro of the adjustable sighted Outdoorsman, and it has the smooth gripstraps of the Heavy Duty. Is this the 38/44 Police Target Model? Guess i should letter it, huh?

I’ll bring the McGivern S&W’s to display at the 2012 SWCA meeting in Boise.


Jim

 

[JayCeeNC]

My, oh my, great history there, Jim. Thanks so much for sharing these treasures.

 

[jrd1976]

Beautiful display.

And, yes, post the letter when you get it.

 

[ARMinSC]

What's the deal with the trigger guard?

 

[RKmesa]

I’ll bring the McGivern S&W’s to display at the 2012 SWCA meeting in Boise. Jim

Jim:

Great information! I loved the 38/44 - HOWEVER - that 1.5" or 2" round butt 1905-4th change M&P target has to be one of the coolest guns that I have ever seen.

http://www.nramuseum.org/the-museum...-wesson-military-and-police-revolver-(1).aspx

If you get a chance, I'd love to see that one in Boise as well (it's so small that it can't take up too much room).

Thanks for sharing.

 

[mikepriwer]

Jim

The Kearsarge stocks on two of those guns are known as
"The McGivern Model" in the advertising literature from Kearsarge. I
have a letter from McGivern to Groff discussing these stocks.

As to the 38-44, here is a picture of the target shot on that day :

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[handejector]

Guess i should letter it, huh?

Ya think?
!!!!!!!!!!!!




Thanks for showing that, Jim.

 

[gjamison]

thats an outstanding revolver, the letter should be very
interesting...........

 

[153]

A brass sideplate?

I always thought the sideplate on this revolver was engraved and gold plated. What would be the point of making a replacement sideplate out of brass?

 

[1Aspenhill]

Jim,
The gun I'm looking for is 37025 (note one number less than this one) and was shipped to Ed in Oct 20 1930 on the advertising account. The gun was a 5" blue HD with service stocks. 37026 which you list above would be in my opinion, a 38/44 Heavy Duty Police Target Revolver like the one I own, 35117 and can be seen in my photo album on here. So, if the National Firearms Museum does not own 37025, then it is still out there.
Thanks for clarifying!
Bill

 

[bmg60]

A brass sideplate?

I always thought the sideplate on this revolver was engraved and gold plated. What would be the point of making a replacement sideplate out of brass?

hi
look close at the picture the brass is attached over the side plate with 3 rivets.

jim

 

[JP@AK]

Jim
I, for one, am very grateful for your post. Great gun and some interesting history. The man was an amazing shot with a revolver and this is a most fascinating variant of a fine gun.

Also, the snub M&P that Richard singled out is also a real sweetheart.

I look forward to seeing the display in Boise next year. I wasn't able to make Orlando due to some previous commitments here.

Regards,
JP

 

[Mitch_D]

Jim:
Thanks for posting the NFM links and your offer to bring the McGivern guns to Boise. When I last visited the NRA museum, they literally had to kick me out at closing time, interupting my study of the McGivern guns through the display glass. In particular, his short barrel guns captured my attention. I continue to marvel at the modifications that McGivern made to his personal guns.

I look forward to seeing them in Boise.

Thanks...

 

[sheriffoconee]

Jim, thanks for the links, and the post...I enjoyed looking at those old pieces and recognizing their place in history...and while I am at it, I check something in my SCSW 3rd edition every day....thanks for what you do....