Got hold of a S&W marked U.S.N. !!?

[gkitch]

Ohio State University Alumni records show an A.B. Myers, College of Engineering, Class of 1900, employed by the U.S. Gypsum Company as a Chemical Engineer at Arden, Wisconsin as of 1923.

He was a well heeled graduate if it was him: "The shipment was for 10 units, serial number 16439-16448".
Perhaps he was gearing up for a team to go on a geological survey in the wilderness? Perhaps his father owned a hardware store of the same name?

 

[squidsix]

This gets better all the time. I sent a PM to the original poster offering to pay for the letter, and then noticed you bought the gun. WELL DONE!
Please keep up the research.

 

[gkitch]

more on Mr Myers

Ohio State University Alumni records show an A.B. Myers, College of Engineering, Class of 1900, employed by the U.S. Gypsum Company as a Chemical Engineer at Arden, Wisconsin as of 1923.

I asked the Toledo Historical Society about AB Myers and got this reply:

"I checked the 1901 city directory and found an Albert B. Myers, traveling agent, boarding at 808 Chestnut. I did not see anything suggesting a company by that name."

 

[Goony]

I asked the Toledo Historical Society about AB Myers and got this reply:

"I checked the 1901 city directory and found an Albert B. Myers, traveling agent, boarding at 808 Chestnut. I did not see anything suggesting a company by that name."

Too bad that S&W's shipping records didn't record exact addresses, just the city of the recipient. Otherwise you could really nail it down. Still, I'm of the mind you've got the correct A.B. Myers identified. A "traveling agent" (quite likely a salesman or sales representative of some sort) could easily have taken delivery of a shipment of ten revolvers to hawk while on the road.

Here's where it gets even more interesting. The Ohio State University Bulletin lists an Albert B. Myers in the "Alumni and Former Students Register 1878 - 1912" published in November of 1912. So the A.B. Myers I originally identified may in fact well be the very same person you've documented.

The entry reads: "Albert B. Myers, E. M. Apartado 43, El Oro, Estado de Mexico, Mexico. Experimental Engineer, Cyanide Department, El Oro Mining and Railway Co."

 

[Goony]

This gets even more intriguing....

The February, 1915 isuue of the Ohio State University Monthly published the text of a letter to Professor Frank A. Ray of the School of Mines from Albert B. Myers, identifying him as Class of '00 and at the time (November, 1914) situated in El Oro, Mexico.

In this letter, Myers describes the political turmoil of that period in Mexico, particularly the depredations committed by General Venustiano Carranza Garza's followers after their occupation of Mexico City, including wanton seizures of property (including his own, stored in a house pending shipment, but which eventually he was mostly able to reclaim). In this vein, he most interestingly writes:

"Of course, everyone was supposed to give up all arms, or run the chance of being in case any were found in their houses. I sent my rifles to the British legation and they are still there, but kept my revolvers." (emphasis added)

Myers also mentions knowing (and actually being somehow related by marriage to) Jose Vasconcelos, who had previously represented Carranza in Washington, and was an influential participant in the 1914 Convention. Myers also remarks on a substantial claim he was pressing for the loss of livestock he had suffered on a ranch of his there. The impression I get is that before he became embroiled in the upheavals of that era, he was doing pretty well for himself in Mexico.

All in all, a fascinating bit of correspondence. Now, besides the obvious curiosity represented by the revolver with which this thread began, one can't help but wonder what adventures it may have been through as well....

This referenced letter can be viewed on page 35 (as originally numbered) of the document digitized at: http://scans.library.utoronto.ca/pdf/2/36/ohiostateunive0606coluuoft/ohiostateunive0606coluuoft.pdf

 

[Garland]

I love a good mystery! Why can't I ever stumble into a gun like this?

 

[Goony]

I thought this might be a good point at which to summarize.

Albert B. Myers graduated from the College of Enginnering of the Ohio State University in 1900. He was trained as a chemical engineer, and his later carreer strongly suggests that his specialty had something to do with mining.

A year after his graduation, though, he was residing in a boarding house in Toledo, Ohio, and working as a "traveling agent" when he received a shipment of ten Smith & Wesson revolvers, including the one with which this thread started.

A decade later, he was in Mexico working as a "experimental engineer" for a minimg company. He evidently had a ranching enterprise going on the side at this time. He was also related by marriage to a significant figure in the Mexican Revolution.

By the time another decade had passed, he was employed by the United States Gypsum Co. in Arden, Wisconsin. This seems hardly a pretigious position or posting, and suggests that whatever property or fortune Myers may have accrued in Mexico was ultimately lost.

That's a fairly sketchy boigraphy, but tantalizing nonetheless. I think the key unknown at this point is how deeply involved Myers may really have been in the Mexican Revolution. He may well have been nothing more than a witness or bystander to these events, but with his background and contacts, it's easy to believe that either American or Mexican authorities (or both) could've seen in him a useful tool to their ends. Myers himself seems astute enough that he must've appreciated his position as one that could be turned to his profit in one way or another.

 

[gkitch]

from Roy

Here is the excerpt from the letter:

 

[Goony]

A little more on Albert B. Myers....

I have been able to find out that Mr. Myers graduated specifically with an Engineer of Mines degree, and that he prepared for his four years at Ohio State University at North High School (Class of 1896) which also was in Columbus. This information leads me to believe he was born about 1878.

There is a death certificate for an Albert B. Myers dated August 13, 1930 in Franklin County (where Columbus is located).

I have attached a photograph of Mr. Myers taken from the 1900 Makio (the Ohio State University yearbook).

 

[Goony]

A bit more (or less, really) on A.B. Myers

It turns out that the Albert B. Myers that died August 13, 1930 was born in 1846. So not our Ohio State University grad, for sure - but maybe his father? And perhaps the one who received the shipment of 10 revolvers (he would have been 55 at the time). Just when you think you're on to something, the picture gets suddenly murky.

 

[gkitch]

It turns out that the Albert B. Myers that died August 13, 1930 was born in 1846. So not our Ohio State University grad, for sure - but maybe his father? And perhaps the one who received the shipment of 10 revolvers (he would have been 55 at the time). Just when you think you're on to something, the picture gets suddenly murky.

So his son went on to serve in the OSS during WW2. They issued him a Colt Hammerless 32, but he prefered his old 38 Navy Model Smith! (Yes, I just made it up, but it would be a logical continuum, dont you think?)

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello
I happened to see another U.S.N. Stamped revolver at our local gun show this past weekend. The gun appeared to be Unfired & it was Bright blue and had a 4" Barrel. It's back strap was stamped U.S.N.C.S. I have no earthly idea what the stamping meant but the gun was in 99 % condition and it was most deifinatly a Pre-War example as it has the larger Mushroom shaped extractor end. It had a Lanyard ring of case color off set with the guns serial number. It came to our table in it's Gold M&P box grease penciled on the bottom with the guns serial number that matched the gun. The hammer & trigger looked perfect and they had Vivid case coloring. The stock's it had were Checkered service style with Convex top's on them and they were as new looking as the gun. The barrel was stamped on the top with a Last Patent date of 1914. So I ask you M&P fanatic's what this gun was ? Regards, Hammerdown

 

[Goony]

Hello
I happened to see another U.S.N. Stamped revolver at our local gun show this past weekend. The gun appeared to be Unfired & it was Bright blue and had a 4" Barrel. It's back strap was stamped U.S.N.C.S. I have no earthly idea what the stamping meant but the gun was in 99 % condition and it was most deifinatly a Pre-War example as it has the larger Mushroom shaped extractor end. It had a Lanyard ring of case color off set with the guns serial number. It came to our table in it's Gold M&P box grease penciled on the bottom with the guns serial number that matched the gun. The hammer & trigger looked perfect and they had Vivid case coloring. The stock's it had were Checkered service style with Convex top's on them and they were as new looking as the gun. The barrel was stamped on the top with a Last Patent date of 1914. So I ask you M&P fanatic's what this gun was ? Regards, Hammerdown

Offhand, the box sounds of later vintage than the gun. Did you get a serial number or at least a range?

"U.S.N.C.S." is an abbreviation for United States Naval Cargo Ship. Vessels were so designated as early as WWI.

 

[Hammerdown]

Offhand, the box sounds of later vintage than the gun. Did you get a serial number or at least a range?

"U.S.N.C.S." is an abbreviation for United States Naval Cargo Ship. Vessels were so designated as early as WWI.

Hello Goony
Thank's for the response. I did not get the gun's serial number the man that had it did not want everyone handling it do to it's condition so I only got to see it for a brief moment. The gold box was black grease pencil seiral marked to the gun I have no idea if it was done at the factory or a later date. Regards, Hammerdown

 

[RPNelson]

I've gotten hold of an older S&W I can't fine anything about. The grip is rather small for the rest of the gun. Barrel is 6", on the bottom of the grip it is marked "U.S.N.". Under that is an anchor and under that is ".38 D.A." and "No."
Serial # is 1643X is on the grip.
Left side of the barrel is "S&W 38 Mil". 4 side plate screws.

Does anyone know anything about this revolver ?

Wanna sell it??

 

[Goony]

It turns out that the Albert B. Myers that died August 13, 1930 was born in 1846. So not our Ohio State University grad, for sure - but maybe his father? And perhaps the one who received the shipment of 10 revolvers (he would have been 55 at the time). Just when you think you're on to something, the picture gets suddenly murky.

Not to bore everyone to tears, but I'd like to share some more information on the historical aspects discussed so far in this thread.

I've been advised that Albert B. Myers Jr. lived with his parents at 1140 Hunter Avenue in Columbus while he attended Ohio State University. His father, Albert B. Myers Sr., moved to Columbus around 1874, and was a baggageman for the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, & St.Louis Railway. Based on fragmentary city directories, he died sometime between 1927 and 1936, that latter year being when Mary D. Myers was recorded as his widow still residing at that same address. This information in in accordance with the 1930 death certificate, and strongly suggests that the Albert B. Myers who resided in Toledo in 1901 and ordered the Navy marked revolver from Smith & Wesson was in fact the son.

 

[CBA44]

Not to bore everyone to tears, but I'd like to share some more information on the historical aspects discussed so far in this thread.

I've been advised that Albert B. Myers Jr. lived with his parents at 1140 Hunter Avenue in Columbus while he attended Ohio State University. His father, Albert B. Myers Sr., moved to Columbus around 1874, and was a baggageman for the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, & St.Louis Railway. Based on fragmentary city directories, he died sometime between 1927 and 1936, that latter year being when Mary D. Myers was recorded as his widow still residing at that same address. This information in in accordance with the 1930 death certificate, and strongly suggests that the Albert B. Myers who resided in Toledo in 1901 and ordered the Navy marked revolver from Smith & Wesson was in fact the son.

Both houses have evidently been torn down. I got close to them but the addresses stated are no longer there... the Columbus house here is a few doors away and built 1890.

1173 Hunter Ave Columbus OH - Home For Sale and Real Estate Listing - MLS #212020728 - Realtor.com®

His house was probably across the street from this one ( above) where there are now factories of some sort.

814 Chestnut St, Toledo, OH 43604 - Zillow

 

[gkitch]

To resurrect this thread a bit... I have enjoyed figuring out all we could about Albert Myer's Navy S&W. I plan to display it at the Charleston Gun Show in Ladson SC on 17 Feb 2013. I have room on the table so will bring it.

 

[policerevolvercollector]

Great detective work!!! Fascinating story!

 

[gkitch]

Thanks to the hekp of Roy Jinks we solved the original mystery of why this revolver was marked USN yet had no other evidence of Navy use.
The mystery that came up and still nags me is why Albert ordered TEN such revolvers. Goony did a splendid job learning all we could about Myers yet it appears all we will ever have at this point are some theories concerning adventures in the Mexican Revolution.

I believe I am going to have to take this gun to the range with some mild handloads. Time to make a more personal connection with this bit of history.