This prewar Kit Gun is made a little more interesting than the usual versions by its special order McGivern Bead front sight and deep "U" rear notch, a combination only rarely observed on KGs. Before this one came to my attention, I was aware of only two other specimens with a McGivern gold bead up front. It is my impression that target I-frames in general make little use of the McGivern bead front sight. I believe it is found more frequently on K and N-frame target revolvers. And having broadcast that thought in the clear, I think I have just defined one of my next research projects.
Apart from the sights, the revolver is a straightforward round butt Kit Gun. The serial number is 530218. The gun was shipped directly to A.E. Campbell of Peterborough, NH on August 27, 1937. The McGivern front sight and deep "U" notch rear sight are mentioned in the letter of authentication that I received with the gun.
A star next to the serial number and the stamped date 1.47 in the usual position on the grip frame indicate a return to the factory for repair or refinishing a decade after its production. The stocks are unnumbered, or perhaps so lightly numbered in pencil that my eye cannot be sure it is seeing written digits of any size. I suppose that replacement stocks could have been part of the work order that accompanied the return.
There is an Albert E. Campbell in Peterborough in the 1940 census who is a strong candidate to be the purchaser. He is a pharmacist. Other documents establish birth in 1879 and death in 1960. I have looked around a little for additional biographical data, but apart from a wife and daughter who outlived him, there is not much more to be said.
Apart from the sights, the revolver is a straightforward round butt Kit Gun. The serial number is 530218. The gun was shipped directly to A.E. Campbell of Peterborough, NH on August 27, 1937. The McGivern front sight and deep "U" notch rear sight are mentioned in the letter of authentication that I received with the gun.
A star next to the serial number and the stamped date 1.47 in the usual position on the grip frame indicate a return to the factory for repair or refinishing a decade after its production. The stocks are unnumbered, or perhaps so lightly numbered in pencil that my eye cannot be sure it is seeing written digits of any size. I suppose that replacement stocks could have been part of the work order that accompanied the return.
There is an Albert E. Campbell in Peterborough in the 1940 census who is a strong candidate to be the purchaser. He is a pharmacist. Other documents establish birth in 1879 and death in 1960. I have looked around a little for additional biographical data, but apart from a wife and daughter who outlived him, there is not much more to be said.
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