December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Per the included factory letter, this revolver shipped as a .38-40 with a 4 - 3/4" barrel, silver finish, carved pearls with a steer head, factory engraving with a special notation for "James H. Smith on backstrap", shipped to Simmons Hardware Company, St. Louis, Missouri, on July 6th, 1901, in a shipment of 1. Research indicates that James H. Smith was the chief of detectives in St. Louis, Missouri, the city he was born in. He held various odd jobs until he joined the police department in 1889. He was partnered with Samuel Allender, and the partners performed in several notable cases, including breaking up counterfeiters and day burglars. On June 7th, 1891, Smith was promoted to detective, where he handled famous cases such as the capture of Jacob Gilbert, Joseph Hardin, and J.B. Breeding. In 1899 he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Detectives. He resigned on January 19th, 1903, to go into mining, but returned in 1907 as a captain and was made Chief of Detectives 4 days later. During his stint as Chief of Detectives, he arrested Oscar Jackson, William Lowe, and George Ebeling. He left the force for good on June 1st, 1911 and went to work for Frisco as their chief special agent. The revolver is engraved in approximately C class coverage of rolling acanthus scroll on a punchdot background, with caliber encapsulated by a ribbon, strapwork, playful wrigglework rocker engraving on the ejector rod housing, and geometric motifs throughout. Clover motif at top of the backstrap, with "JAMES H. SMITH" down backstrap. The work is well cut and probably was done Cuno Helfricht or his shop. Right grip with carved steerhead, well executed, particularly considering the nature of pearl. Housed in a Colt maroon box numbered to a different gun. PROVENANCE: Richard "Dick" Burdick collection. CONDITION: Overall excellent, retaining virtually all of the factory silver with some tarnishing in recess that could be cleaned should the new owner wish. Some surface level mossing. Serial number is double struck at the "8". Engraving is crisp and well cut. Some spotted patina on left side of frame. Grips have excellent fire, and the steerhead is excellent. Mechanically fine with all 4 Colt clicks, bore is very good with strong rifling and scattered oxidation; cylinder has a mild turn line. Box is good, solid and all present, with age related distress and some scrapes throughout. An excellent example.
Paperwork
Binder of Prov., Factory Letter