For those of you paying attention out there, you might recall several weeks back when I posted a question regarding a newly purchased Smith & Wesson .38 Military and Police Model of 1905, 4th Change, serial number 390062. I had written Roy Jinks to obtain a factory letter, but in the meanwhile I asked a question concerning two, small brass pins embedded in the butt of the revolver. One pin on each side of the original walnut stocks. At the time I thought, and some agreed, that those pins, or what was left of them to be more accurate, might indicate the gun was originally a police issued weapon or something similar. Well today I received the factory letter from Mr. Jinks and I found my answer.
My revolver, serial number 390062, was shipped from the factory on September 9, 1921 and delivered to the Kentucky State Reformatory in LaGrange, Kentucky. The LaGrange Reformatory still exist to this day and currently houses what could best be described as medium security inmates. It's located about twenty or so miles northeast of Louisville, Kentucky.
I just thought I would share my excitement with all the Smith & Wesson fans out there!
On a similar note, a couple of years ago I had a 1940's vintage pre-Model 10 that, to my enjoyment, shipped to the New York City Police Department around 1946 and even had the officer's name and number it was sold to at that time. Sadly however, I sold that particular revolver to a gun shop in Lexington, Kentucky during a momentary lapse of sound judgement.
My revolver, serial number 390062, was shipped from the factory on September 9, 1921 and delivered to the Kentucky State Reformatory in LaGrange, Kentucky. The LaGrange Reformatory still exist to this day and currently houses what could best be described as medium security inmates. It's located about twenty or so miles northeast of Louisville, Kentucky.
I just thought I would share my excitement with all the Smith & Wesson fans out there!
On a similar note, a couple of years ago I had a 1940's vintage pre-Model 10 that, to my enjoyment, shipped to the New York City Police Department around 1946 and even had the officer's name and number it was sold to at that time. Sadly however, I sold that particular revolver to a gun shop in Lexington, Kentucky during a momentary lapse of sound judgement.
