Sheriff Buford Pusser

[50-tennessee]

On Feb. 1, 1966 McNairy County, Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser responded to the Shamrock Motel on Hwy 45 near the Tennessee Mississippi state line. He was answering a complaint from an Illinois couple who claimed they had been robbed the previous night. When Pusser and his deputies arrived Louise Hathcock owner of the motel ask to see Pusser in her private living quarters in room 1 of the motel. Once in the room Hathcock drew a .38 S&W airweight revolver and fired at the sheriff. The first shot missed and went out the window as Pusser fell on the bed. Hathcock got on top of him and fired a second time point blank but the gun only snapped. Pusser then knocked her off of him and fired 3 shots killing her. I have enclosed a photo of the evidence tag that was placed on Hathcock`s revolver. It states that the serial number was 44206. I have never seen the gun that was used only this evidence tag. With this little of information can anyone tell me or give me their opinion of exactly what type of Smith and Wesson this actually was. Some seem to think it was one of the alloy cylinder guns from 1953 and may explain why her second shot snapped instead of firing. I don`t know but I hope someone does.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I don't know what happened in this case, but it sounds like she tried to fire an empty chamber, a fired cartridge, or a dud.

 

[50-tennessee]

Her pistol had 5 rounds in it. Her first shot went out the window and the second shot snapped.

 

[S&W ucla]

I don't see how the alloy cylinder would affect firing. The concern with them was strength under considerable use. My guess would be bad ammo. Had an uncle who was sheriff of Jackson County,Alabama in that period, and he knew Sheriff Pusser well. He gave him an autographed copy of his book. My uncle was largely responsible for my interest in handguns and gave me my first one. Two fine gentlemen who are no longer with us.

 

[S&W ucla]

Isn't there a museum of Pusser articles in Adamsville?? Do they have the gun?

 

[50-tennessee]

I tend to agree with you about the alloy cylinder not affecting the firing. This is just an opinion of some but not necessarily mine. Keep in mind I am not even sure her gun was one of the alloy cylinder guns. All I know is that it was a .38 S&W airweight. I am hoping with the serial number I provided from the evidence tag it will help sort fact from fiction.

 

[50-tennessee]

No the gun is not in the museum in Adamsville,TN.

 

[black1970]

Was in the first movie Walking Tall. Played an extra. If you ever saw a movie being made then you know what I mean by carnival people. Pusser's daughter Dwana fell and broke her hip last week on the ice. She has been battling cancer. Like the song says he was a true two-fisted racket busting cop. Even saw him wrestle once. RIP Buford.

 

[Lee Barner]

the sheriffs office might still have the evidence logs from that far back. would be interesting to know the disposition of the revolver. let us know what you find. lee

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Her pistol had 5 rounds in it. Her first shot went out the window and the second shot snapped.

What do you mean "the second shot snapped"?

 

[JSR III]

Probably bad reloads. Second bullet may have stuck in the barrel with the rest filling in behind. I saw one barrel that a gunsmith cut open that had at least 6 bullets stacked in the tube. God was with that lawman that day!!!

 

[DWalt]

"With this little of information can anyone tell me or give me their opinion of exactly what type of Smith and Wesson this actually was."

The discussion has strayed far afield from the original question. My opinion based upon the information presented is that the Hathcock revolver was very likely to have been a .38 Special Chiefs Special Airweight (pre-Model 37), with steel cylinder, shipped in early 1954.

 

[Coyote56]

Saw the remains of Pusser's wrecked car after his death. Appears he was carrying a Diamondback at the time...Now I'll wonder if in fact that is what the Sheriff used in that shooting??

 

[DWalt]

There have been at least 100 threads on this forum regarding Buford Pusser. Do we really need any more discussion as everything possible concerning him and his guns has already been discussed many times?

 

[TenTea]

Aren't we forgetting the *T* ?
As in: Buford T. Pusser

Roscoe Coletrain just isn't the same without the *P* in between...

 

[47knuckle]

I have two of the Chief Special airweights with aluminum cylinders serials 29011 and 27663. I feel sure 44206 would be a steel cylinder gun.

 

[50-tennessee]

What do you mean "the second shot snapped"?

The round didn`t fire.

 

[50-tennessee]

Aren't we forgetting the *T* ?
As in: Buford T. Pusser

I am not forgetting anything. I do not know who Buford T. Pusser is. I was referring to Buford Hayse Pusser who served as McNairy County, Tennessee Sheriff from 1964 to 1970. Please see attached photo.

 

[50-tennessee]

There have been at least 100 threads on this forum regarding Buford Pusser. Do we really need any more discussion as everything possible concerning him and his guns has already been discussed many times?

It was not my intent to offend you with my thread. I am simply looking for any info I can gather on Hathcock`s .38 Smith and Wesson serial no. 44206. At last check there have been over 800 views of this thread so there is some interest.

 

[DWalt]

Have you looked at my #12? No offense toward you intended, as you asked the original question, and deserve an answer. No one was even attempting to answer your original question - just many extraneous unrelated postings.