Unusual Hand Ejector

[Swisssharpshooter]

I purchased, an number of years ago, what I believed to be a very nice, nickel plated Hand Ejector, 38 Special. It appeared to be unfired. More recently, I requested a letter from the Smith & Wesson Historian. I was surprised to learn that this mid 1930's revolver was not nickel plated, but rather chrome plated. I was one of a group of a dozen such experimentally chromed Hand Ejector revolvers produced. The last information, contained in the letter, was that his revolver was delivered to Harold Wesson (President of Smith & Wesson) in 1945.
I am wondering if there are other known survivors of this experimental production run. A couple of years ago, I spoke with Jim Supica, regarding this revolver. He was unable to shed any light on the history, but dis say that the NRA Museum would very much appreciate a donation of the revolver.
Unfortunately, I am my mid-seventies, and need to be reducing the number of firearms that I own. I do not want the history of this unique firearm tube swallowed up in the commercial market ,but I am at a loss as to how to place it where it would be appreciated, at the same time allowing to realize some monetary reward in the process.
I am asking the Forum for guidance.
This is my first Forum post, ever, so forgive for stumbling around .And, I hoping that I have not violated any rules.
Thank you

 

[delcrossv]

I'd suggest posting it for sale here on the Forum, as it would be bought by a serious collector of S&W's.

As an alternative, one could consign it to one of the auction houses.

Welcome to the forum! Please post pictures, as most of us have never seen one.

 

[merl67]

Welcome to the forum. As has been said above please post some pictures

 

[murphydog]

Welcome and sorry for your dilemma.

It is perfectly understandable to both want to see a significant item of firearms history preserved and to worry about the financial end of the matter.

If you are a US citizen there is probably some way to receive a charitable tax credit by donating the revolver to a non-profit organization, but absent that option I agree the best alternative would be to put it up for sale with a prominent auctioneer or dealer. It would almost certainly go to a good (but private) home. Good luck in your decision.

 

[AlHunt]

... mid 1930's revolver was not nickel plated, but rather chrome plated.
...

was that his revolver was delivered to Harold Wesson (President of Smith & Wesson) in 1945.

I wonder why the 10 year gap?

 

[s&wchad]

Welcome aboard! Quite a first post!

A documented factory chrome M&P that belonged to Harold Wesson would bring a substantial amount in excellent condition. You're not likely to find much in the way of sales history.

If it were mine and I wanted to sell it, I'd contact Lee Jarrett ( handejector ) or David Carroll ( wordsmith ) by PM. They both deal in high end S&W's and are very trustworthy.

We encounter a lot of scammers, so photos of the gun and the letter would go a long way towards establishing credibility.

Link (click on it): Video Tutorials on Posting Pictures

 

[Truckman]

It would be equally interesting to know the process the factory used in plating the revolver...One of my .38-44 HD's is also chromed (assuredly NON-factory), but likely bumper chrome (copper, nickel, chromium)...I remember reading here that S&W may have produced some guns in chrome, but did not use copper as a base...I'll be anxiously awaiting pics and further revelations in this story......Ben

 

[ol777gunnerz]

info

Contact member Club Gun Fan on this site, he is the expert on the Wesson family guns & buys them also.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Welcome to the forum and a great first post.
I would be very interested in your Wesson gun. I own a Wesson family gun from every generation of the Wesson family. I have a Joseph, (Revolving Rifle), a Walter, (New Model #3, a Frank, (.38 M&P), a Douglas, (.32/20), a Daniel, .22/32, plus others. I don't have a Harold. I'm very familiar with the chrome plated .38 M&P's and have been looking for one for a very long time. So, long story short, I'm interested. I've included a picture of three.

 

[glowe]

Welcome and thanks for your first thread, even if it took 4 years!

I agree with Jim Supica that your revolver should go to the museum to be put on display for all to see and not hidden away in a private owner's safe for decades to come. Have you discussed any remuneration with Jim? I know he left the museum and a new director has not yet been named, but you might also check with the Curator, Phil Schreier.

A one-of-a-kind S&W noted to belong to a past-President of S&W should be on display at a firearms museum. Don't forget about other major museums like Cody Firearms Museum.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Gary
My plan is to display my Wesson guns in the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History located in Springfield, Massachusetts. In case you forgot, that's where the Smith and Wesson collection is on display. If this gentleman were to donate it, I think it would be much better off in Springfield where it would be housed with over 1 million pieces of Smith & Wesson items, not somewhere else where it would be treated as just another piece of iron. If you've never been to this museum, it's worth the trip.

 

[Truckman]

If you've never been to this museum, it's worth the trip.

Sigh...Another one for the list...So little time, so little money......Ben

 

[mrcvs]

I used to believe that museums were the best places for top notch objects, and, don't get me wrong, there are many fine museums out there. However, it's better to have a rare, one of a kind object in the hands of a private collector. First, they will value their prize more. Secondly, the seller receives the remuneration, and not the museum—when they decide they would rather have funds than a prized object. Also, those associated with any given museum may have a hidden Agenda.

Think it can't happen? Google R Larry Wilson and the Connecticut State Library and let me know what you find.

 

[ordnanceguy]

There was indeed a small group of chrome finish Military & Police revolvers made in the 1930s. I have examined one and am aware of another. Both were owned by members of the S&WCA. Both lettered as having a factory chrome finish. One was manufactured in 1938 but did not leave the factory until 1960(!)

In informally commenting upon this group of chromed M+Ps many years ago the factory historian made the following (lightly edited) observations:

"The chrome finish was experimental as nickel was getting hard to obtain
and the factory was looking for a substitute. The problem was that chrome had a peeling problem when it was not applied correctly and when the gun was shot the chrome cracked. These few chrome plated guns were made experimentally and were controlled closely through the factory. Therefore, they would not have any special markings as they would have been hand carried through the factory."

Regards,
Charlie

 

[glenwolde]

I used to believe that museums were the best places for top notch objects, and, don't get me wrong, there are many fine museums out there. However, it's better to have a rare, one of a kind object in the hands of a private collector. First, they will value their prize more. Secondly, the seller receives the remuneration, and not the museum—when they decide they would rather have funds than a prized object. Also, those associated with any given museum may have a hidden Agenda.

Think it can't happen? Google R Larry Wilson and the Connecticut State Library and let me know what you find.

This is why a lot of museum items are shown as "on loan". The owner, or their estate, can claw it back. Private collectors can have succession issues. Museums don't get everything for free, they have budgets for purchases. Considering what the "NRA Air Force" costs they can afford it.

I think I'd go with a major auction house. If a museum wants it let them buy it at auction.

 

[quinn]

I used to believe that museums were the best places for top notch objects, and, don't get me wrong, there are many fine museums out there. However, it's better to have a rare, one of a kind object in the hands of a private collector. First, they will value their prize more. Secondly, the seller receives the remuneration, and not the museum—when they decide they would rather have funds than a prized object. Also, those associated with any given museum may have a hidden Agenda.

Think it can't happen? Google R Larry Wilson and the Connecticut State Library and let me know what you find.

My family donated items to 2 museums who solicited the items. One museum (Witte) displayed the items briefly and then put them into storage. The other museum (Smithsonian) never displayed the item at all but put it away for "research" purposes. Not to say this is always the case, but considerations can be made in advance. In a third case a gun was loaned to the Alamo museum but returned to the family the minute it was take off display as a condition of the original loan agreement.

 

[SWSC]

Harold, President and Frank H.,VP and Treasurer were brothers. Apparently both owned chromium plated 38 M&Ps. Stolen June, 1950.

 

[mrcvs]

If a museum wants it let them buy it at auction.

Agreed! If a museum wants it badly enough, let them solicit funds to purchase it.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

You all are missing the point. The History Museum in Springfield Massachusetts houses OUR collection of paper and firearms! It's not the NRA or Winchester or Cody Museums! It specializes in Smith & Wesson! If you go there you will see over 100 Smith & Wesson items on display at a given time.