To Trade or Not to Trade..Wolf and Klar .44 3rd Model Texas Sheriff's Gun

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EarlB

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I am developing a sort of likeness for LEO guns and being a Texan of course I have an affinity for those. Came across one today, the price is steep but it is an interesting gun. The gun is a blued 5" Wolf and Klar 3rd Model Hand Ejector, S#34000 range. Like most law enforcement guns of that vintage is does show wear and use but is in overall very good condition with the original finish showing no signs it went back to the factory. It comes with 2 sets of stocks, neither of which are original as shipped. There is a pair of vintage stags and a set of Wolf & Klar steer head mother of pearls. The gun is matching except of course for the stocks.

It has a S&W letter showing it shipped to Wolf and Klar, and a notarized letter from the grandson of the man who served as the Sheriff in a small Texas County from 1938-1943. He inherited the revolver from his Grand Mother on her passing. The letter is signed by him attributing the gun to his grandfather and naming him and the dates he served as County Sheriff. Thru my google fu I've ascertained that the man indeed served as Sheriff during that timeframe. Nothing special I can find about him - no big historical events or nothing, just a lawman who did his job when the previous Sheriff resigned, was re-elected and served his term than was replaced by the previous Sheriff who did have a long career in that county.

It's going to cost me an extremely nice 3-1/2" 27-2 and 13-2 3" Round Butt to get it...those I can replace. Hmmm....

Earl
 
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I would make the trade and not take too long thinking about it. Both of the guns you're trading can be replaced although it may take awhile to find them. When will you find another 3rd Model with the provenance of the one you're considering? Those W&K mother of pearl steer head stocks are pretty hard to find too. Considered a set last fall priced at $700 which I probably should have bought for my W&K 3rd Model. Good luck and looking forward to pictures of your 3rd Model.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
He would, but the value would be in the $3k range, this allows me to get it and not have to outlay that at once - just in pieces when I find and replace the 2. I will post up pics after I get it when the weather complies.

Earl

rbmac52 said:
I would hate to trade off the two guns you mentioned. Would the owner of the W&K entertain a cash offer? I think your guns are worth $2500. I'd start there.
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I would trade but admit that I am both a W&K collector and LEO collector Both of the guns you'd be putting up are nice gun, but as you say are more easily replaced if you wanted. The problem with 3rd models is that most shipped to W&K and are difficult to tie to an individual LEO. I have one refinished and worn nickel gun that I got from a LEO heir, one that letters as shipped to a department, and one shipped after the W&K contract to a police captain. Only the latter has not been refinished as most LEO guns managed to get refinished a time or two before they retired. As far a trades go I once gave up 5--all of which I would have preferred to keep--for a Registered Magnum. Good luck with your choice.
 
I also collect Texas LEO guns and it sounds like you have a good one there. Provenance is everything with these guns, you need to be convinced beyond reasonable doubt that it is real and authentic. There is a story that Doc Holliday sold numerous guns to suckers with the guarantee that it was used by him at the OK Corral gunfight, of course none of them were. Buyer be aware and certain.
 
If you're not really attached to the 27 and 13 I'd go ahead and trade.

This got me thinking about what I would be willing to trade off if I found something I really wanted.

I have a 28-2 with quite a bit of sentimental value and I'd let that one go before I would let my 1959 M-27 go. I'v never even shot the 27 but for some reason I really like it. It might be the last one I would ever part with. I'd let my 27-7 go before I let it go.

Kind of weird. :rolleyes:
 
Oh the only reason I'd let the 27-2 go is I have several earlier 3.5" 27's so the pain wouldn't be too great. I have developed a love for 3.5" 27's and 4" 29's that's for sure. This 27-2 was my first blue 3-1/2" gun but as the collection grew I have moved into 4 and 5 screw guns. I'm not letting them go unless it's for an RM or NRM.

Earl


rubiranch said:
If you're not really attached to the 27 and 13 I'd go ahead and trade.

This got me thinking about what I would be willing to trade off if I found something I really wanted.

I have a 28-2 with quite a bit of sentimental value and I'd let that one go before I would let my 1959 M-27 go. I'v never even shot the 27 but for some reason I really like it. It might be the last one I would ever part with. I'd let my 27-7 go before I let it go.

Kind of weird. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
 
EarlB said:
It has a S&W letter showing it shipped to Wolf and Klar, and a notarized letter from the grandson of the man who served as the Sheriff in a small Texas County from 1938-1943. He inherited the revolver from his Grand Mother on her passing. The letter is signed by him attributing the gun to his grandfather and naming him and the dates he served as County Sheriff. Thru my google fu I've ascertained that the man indeed served as Sheriff during that timeframe. Nothing special I can find about him - no big historical events or nothing, just a lawman who did his job
Click to expand...


DEFINITELY ask if he has any photos of Granpa!
It'd be nice to have one showing a badge and the gun!
I would offer to pay him for them, and pay the expense of having GOOD copies made. ;)

Stress the importance of keeping the history of Granpa alive.
 
I'm biased, as I love forearms history, and I'm always looking for guns with provenance. I of course like guns with significant provenance that can be well documented, so those that are hit the top of my most desirable list. I own a half dozen that are documented to people I can prove, and some are significant people who made their mark in history.
If this gun is correct for the era of the gentleman's grandfather, and his job as a sheriff, I'd likely make the trade also. It sounds like one of the type of guns I appreciate more than the all original minty gun without provenance.
 
Earl, I like this trade a lot. If you haven't shot a 3rd Model .44 you are in for a treat. I will probably take my W&K to the range today, just because your thread has got me worked up and I still have a box of .44 special cowboy loads to finish.

Put some 'shooting' grips on it first to really appreciate firing it.
 
EarlB said:
Oh the only reason I'd let the 27-2 go is I have several earlier 3.5" 27's so the pain wouldn't be too great. I have developed a love for 3.5" 27's and 4" 29's that's for sure. This 27-2 was my first blue 3-1/2" gun but as the collection grew I have moved into 4 and 5 screw guns. I'm not letting them go unless it's for an RM or NRM.

Earl
Click to expand...

I have a 1956 3 1/2" .357 Mag. I'm more fond of my 6 1/2" 1959 27.
 
The S&W letter I would take as fact. The grandson's letter on the other hand would be highly suspect to me. All the notary stamp means is that a notary witnessed him sign the letter and is not a verification of the content. I have some revolvers with a dandy oral history but there is no value added.
 
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