J. Edgar Hoover's Reg. Magnum (Reg. No. 1)

[shawn mccarver]

This article appears on the excellent web site of the historical G men:

http://historicalgmen.squarespace.com/searching-for-hoovers-1-regist/

THE DIRECTOR'S #1 REGISTERED .357 MAGNUM

The Society Of Former FBI Agents, of which I'm a member, is attempting to account for the whereabouts of Hoover's magnum given to him by Smith and Wesson in 1935. NOT that there's a problem with whomever has it, but we're simply trying to account for it, as we are with other handguns he owned. Also those of his assistant, Clyde Tolson.

With assistance of some collectors, we have accounted for some of the Hoover/Tolson guns but the Director's magnum, above, has been elusive from all for decades. We do know that years back, there was an inquiry with Smith regarding this exact gun that came out of Texas. We also know that both internally in the FBI and externally, there are "rumors" the Director gave it away.

We are aware that according to estate records, most of Hoover's belongings went to Clyde Tolson. When Tolson died, everything, with exceptions, was left to FBI Assistant Director, John Mohr. When Mohr died, he left whatever he had to his dentist son, Richard who is now deceased. We know that Richard Mohr sold some of the Hoover/Tolson guns to the market, however we cannot find evidence that any of the Mohr's had the magnum in question.

We have checked records with the Hoover Foundation also, and have determined the Foundation never received any of the Director's guns.

According to Smith/Wesson records, the Director's Registered .357 Magnum, is described as: Serial 45768 Reg. No. 1, shipped from the Smith factory and delivered to J. Edgar Hoover in April, 1935. Records reveal it was shipped with 8.75 inch barrel, equipped with a 1/10 inch Patridge front sight, blue finish, checkered walnut grips, with grip adapter attached.

If you can help in finding the #1 Registered Magnum for the FBI Society, please contact me. We can keep confidential any information you desire. You can contact me direct about this issue at: [email protected], and please make a cc of your email to retired SA Walt Merritt at [email protected]

 

[shawn mccarver]

This article appears on the excellent web site of the historical G men:

http://historicalgmen.squarespace.com/searching-for-hoovers-1-regist/

THE DIRECTOR'S #1 REGISTERED .357 MAGNUM

The Society Of Former FBI Agents, of which I'm a member, is attempting to account for the whereabouts of Hoover's magnum given to him by Smith and Wesson in 1935. NOT that there's a problem with whomever has it, but we're simply trying to account for it, as we are with other handguns he owned. Also those of his assistant, Clyde Tolson.

With assistance of some collectors, we have accounted for some of the Hoover/Tolson guns but the Director's magnum, above, has been elusive from all for decades. We do know that years back, there was an inquiry with Smith regarding this exact gun that came out of Texas. We also know that both internally in the FBI and externally, there are "rumors" the Director gave it away.

We are aware that according to estate records, most of Hoover's belongings went to Clyde Tolson. When Tolson died, everything, with exceptions, was left to FBI Assistant Director, John Mohr. When Mohr died, he left whatever he had to his dentist son, Richard who is now deceased. We know that Richard Mohr sold some of the Hoover/Tolson guns to the market, however we cannot find evidence that any of the Mohr's had the magnum in question.

We have checked records with the Hoover Foundation also, and have determined the Foundation never received any of the Director's guns.

According to Smith/Wesson records, the Director's Registered .357 Magnum, is described as: Serial 45768 Reg. No. 1, shipped from the Smith factory and delivered to J. Edgar Hoover in April, 1935. Records reveal it was shipped with 8.75 inch barrel, equipped with a 1/10 inch Patridge front sight, blue finish, checkered walnut grips, with grip adapter attached.

If you can help in finding the #1 Registered Magnum for the FBI Society, please contact me. We can keep confidential any information you desire. You can contact me direct about this issue at: [email protected], and please make a cc of your email to retired SA Walt Merritt at [email protected]

 

[bettis1]

Shawn,

There have been numerous posts about this gun in the past (perhaps a search will show some of them still available here).

With the remarkable fact that the Bureau chose to destroy the Registered Magnums that it had in its possession when they were decommissioned, I should expect any collector to be reluctant to reveal the whereabouts of Mr. Hoover's gun.

Bob

 

[opoefc]

Shawn, I agree with Bob. Those collectors who may, or may not, think they know where Reg. Mag #1 is hiding, are not likely to divulge any info. to the FBI. The posts in the past on this site have focused on the past on the problem, not so much as where it is, but the probable clouded title on who is the legal owner. For the record, I don't know where it is, but I have spoken to a reliable person ( now deceased) who seemed knowledgable as to it's location, but did not pursue the chase as it's ownership was a problem they did not wish to inherit.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I hope it is never found...

It is one of the greatest mysteries in the firearms world.

Heck, we wouldn't have anything to talk about <STRIKE>without</STRIKE> with it.

I do pity the person that owns it.

What good is it??!?

Really, he/she really can't show it around to brag a bit on it at all to anyone...unless they sign their name in blood and promise their souls to the Devil himself if they ever speak a word of it's whereabouts to another living soul- or a dead one for that matter (in the fine print at the bottom of the page.

I think Cajun drew it up.

)

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by bettis1:
Shawn,

There have been numerous posts about this gun in the past (perhaps a search will show some of them still available here).

With the remarkable fact that the Bureau chose to destroy the Registered Magnums that it had in its possession when they were decommissioned, I should expect any collector to be reluctant to reveal the whereabouts of Mr. Hoover's gun.

Bob

I agree that it is unlikely, but ran across the article and thought I would post it.

It seems to me that the weapon was a gift from S&W to Hoover and not the FBI, if the information I have read is accurate. Thus, I doubt the FBI has any right to seize it and destroy it as "agency property."

That said, if I had it (and I do NOT, for the record), I would not divulge it to anyone.

Like a few in the S&WCA, I "think" I may/probably know where it is, and would love to see even a picture of it in its current condition, I certainly respect the privacy of the current owner, and acknowledge his (or her) right to privacy.

I have reviewed the previous posts, and since this is from a group of retired agents who maintain an interesting web site, I did not think it would hurt to post the article here.

Thank you all for your patience!

Shawn

 

[BUFF]

Most U.S. government officials are prohibited by law from accepting gifts, especially from companies they do business with, as the gifts may be seen as a form of influence. This has been the law for a long time but I don't know when it started. If the official does accept it, the gift becomes the property of the government agency. This may be the case with Hoover's Magnum.

Many of the U.S. presidents of the 20th century were gifted firearms by various makers, for example, and they are all in museums or warehouses.

 

[BUFF]

Originally posted by Andy Griffith:

"I do pity the person that owns it.

What good is it??!?

Really, he/she really can't show it around to brag a bit on it at all to anyone...unless they sign their name in blood and promise their souls to the Devil himself if they ever speak a word of it's whereabouts to another living soul- or a dead one for that matter (in the fine print at the bottom of the page.

I think Cajun drew it up.

)"

Heck, if I found Hoover's Registered Magnum, I'd have the barrel bobbed to four inches, have it "pawn shop" engraved and nickel plated, fit it with a set of those "Texas" ivory grips with the steer's heads with the ruby eyeballs and wear it as my barbecue gun.

If the G-Men came after me, it'd be, "What? This ol' thang? I never met this Hoover guy! Look at it! You think ol' Herb would have carried something like this? You gotta be mistaken!"

 

[Muley Gil]

You think ol' Herb would have carried something like this?

Don't you mean J. Edgar? Herbert was the Prez from 1929 to 1933.

 

[BUFF]

Sure, I know the difference. But if I was accused and questioned, my schtick would call J. Edgar "Herb." That kind of foolishness would fit right in with me 'barbecuing' such a famous Registered Magnum. I'd try to act stupid but not totally illiterate. My ex-wife would testify that it was no act!

 

[sigp220.45]

The gun was presented to Hoover well before any rules were in place regarding the acceptance of gifts. It was his personal property, and my beloved employer would have no claim to it. I doubt anyone in today's Bureau would even have any interest in it.

Maybe whoever has it stole it. It may be in a river or toolbox or landfill.

Of course if the current owner reads this and wants to give it loving home, drop me a line. I don't really like long barreled revolvers, but I'd find room for that one.

 

[handejector]

I do pity the person that owns it.

What good is it??!?

Really, he/she really can't show it around to brag a bit on it at all to anyone...

I think I could bear the torment.
Kinda like if Marilyn Monroe told me she wanted to spend the night with me, once, and only once, and I could never tell anyone.....

 

[rburg]

Originally posted by handejector:

Kinda like if Marilyn Monroe told me she wanted to spend the night with me, once, and only once, and I could never tell anyone.....

I don't know, Lee. She was a lot younger than you were.

 

[DWFAN]

Lee, still got that copy of the 1953 Playboy do you?

DW

 

[merlindrb]

OK, that's it. Can we please get Para to close this thread??

Thank you so much Paul. The thought of Col Sanders climbing all over Marilyn Monroe is going to keep me awake all night!

Lee - bring the issue of Playboy to Tulsa will you?

 

[JayCeeNC]

Originally posted by merlindrb: The thought of Col Sanders climbing all over Marilyn Monroe is going to keep me awake all night!

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Lee , I though you said you couldn't say anything about that

. You old hound.

 

[rburg]

Originally posted by merlindrb:
The thought of Col Sanders climbing all over Marilyn Monroe is going to keep me awake all night!

Its the mental image that hurts so bad. You just can't unring the bell, or unsee that ugly image. We could try gouging out our eyes.

 

[handejector]

Damn.
Tough crowd. Ya share ONE little fantasy, and look what it gets ya.......

Its the mental image that hurts so bad. You just can't unring the bell, or unsee that ugly image. We could try gouging out our eyes.

Need any help?

 

[merlindrb]

It's alright Lee, you got even with Dick on the screwdriver thread!