The "Narwhal" 44 Magnum

[Doc44]

In July 1958, Carl Hellstrom, President of S&W, and several other civilians flew to Greenland and Iceland on a U. S. Air Force plane with Major General Walter "Cam" Sweeney to meet with a delegation from Denmark. The purpose of the meeting was to lay the ground work for a Nordic Free Trade Zone. At the end of the trip, General Sweeney was presented with a Narwhal tusk that was over seven feet in length as a token of appreciation. This flight also resulted in the formation of the Persona Non Grata Club later than year. As a badge of membership, each member received one of the new 44 Magnums with an 8 3/8-inch barrel with engraving and gold inlay on the side plate. Although not on the flight, General Curtis LeMay was made a Persona Grata member of the club and received PNG revolver number 5. The Narwhal was the symbol of the club and each revolver had one inlaid in gold and sivler on the side plate. In 1961, in honor of General LeMay being made Chief of Staff of the Air Force, each member received a Model 53 engraved and inlaid in a similar manner.

I had long looked for a knife to display with the PNG 5 set and finally found one a couple of weeks ago. It is a Randall with a rare handle made of Narwhal tusk legally imported from Greenland in 1954.

See post #45 for reposted photos of the PNG 5 revolvers and the Randall knife.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

I love the guns and that knife is the perfect addition to the collection. Do you know who did the engraving on the knife bolster and guard?

 

[Doc44]

Richard...the engraving and gold inlay on the hilt, collar, and butt plate were done by Master Engraver Joe Mason of Brandon, Mississippi. The hilt, collar and butt plate are made of nickel silver and the 7-inch blade is made of 440B stainless steel. The knife is a Randall #2 Fighting Stiletto, designed in the early 1940s by Bo Randall, founder of Randall knives, and Colonel Rex Applegate. The knife was made in 2012.

Bill

 

[KSK]

Great find on the knife! What a nice addition to go along with the PNG guns. I can't believe you found one with a Narwhal handle. It looks stunning! ��

 

[22/32 JDF]

That is a great combo. I can only wonder how much it is worth. JIM

 

[tg4360]

How horrible that someone cycled the action, putting a turn line on it!!! They probably shot it too!

Ok wait.... It was probably Gen. Lemay himself.... I approve.

 

[Doc44]

Based on some other information, I know General LeMay shot both of the revolvers.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

Richard...the engraving and gold inlay on the hilt, collar, and butt plate were done by Master Engraver Joe Mason of Brandon, Mississippi...

Bill

Bill thank you for the color - the engraving and inlays are outstanding, perfectly complimenting the knife and its one of a kind grip. Is the butt plate engraved as well? If so, I would love to see a photo (or two) of it - if possible.

 

[Milton]

Very,very,very NICE !!!

 

[The_Truth]

My goodness that is a stunning revolver, and that narwhal tusk is so cool!

 

[tg4360]

Based on some other information, I know General LeMay shot both of the revolvers.

Bill

Exactly so... A turn line that adds value.

(just about tweak to the, "turn line" crowd)

 

[jtcarm]

Now that is some history & beauty.

 

[delcrossv]

How horrible that someone cycled the action, putting a turn line on it!!! They probably shot it too!

Ok wait.... It was probably Gen. Lemay himself.... I approve.

Umm. That's what they're for.

A very nice addition to the gun. Thanks for posting!

 

[Doc44]

A photo of the engraved butt plate.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

A photo of the engraved butt plate.

Bill

Thank you. That's nice...very nice.

 

[Walter Rego]

Mr. Cross, I seem to recall that actor Andy Devine was also a member of the PNG Club ?
What was his connection to the others ? Or am I thinking about another specially engraved S&W that went to Devine ?

 

[EarlB]

The Narwhal .44 and knife are absolutely stunning! Earl

 

[Doc44]

Andy Devine became a member of the PNG Club and was presented a 44 Magnum, PNG 6. He did not receive a Model 53. Mr. Devine was friend of Bill Harder, Sr. who went on the flight in 1958. They became acquainted through hunting dog trials and possibly upland bird hunting they both had a strong interest in.

There are eleven PNG revolvers, six are 44 Magnums and five are Model 53s. Each revolver was engraved and inlaid with gold and silver by S&W's Master Engraver, Russell J. Smith.

Bill

 

[6518John]

Bill—you should open a museum. I am not sure there would be one anywhere to rival your collection other than the National Firearms Museum.

 

[Bakebfr480]

Good lookin' pistola.........how's she shoot?