Manufactured 1950-51. The dossier of Alexander Sasha Siemel can be found on Wikipedia. He moved to the United States in 1907 then headed for Argentina two years later where he worked as a gunsmith and became famous for hunting jaguars with only a spear. Referred to as the "Tigrero" hunter and later became known as the "Tiger Man". From this time until the mid-1940's he became one of the most famous hunters in the world and became an actor in 1937 with Frank "Bring Him Back Alive" Buck in a "Jungle Menace" series, which was later turned into a feature film in 1946 titled "Jungle Terror". He wrote for various outdoor magazines including National Geographic. He penned his autobiography "Tigrero" in 1953. In 1963 the Sasha Siemel Museum opened in Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania which housed his collection of hunting trophies, art, curios, minerals, shells, coins, weapons and many other items. The museum closed in 1969 and he died in Pennsylvania in 1970 at the age of 80. The list of his magazine articles is listed, which include: "Argosy", "Colliers", "Field and Stream", "Life", "Outdoor Life", "Reader's Digest", "Time" and numerous others. This complete print-out will accompany this revolver as well as two letters pertaining to this gun, a 1961 "Boys Life" magazine with a story by Gene Henderson on Siemel, a pull-out article in Colliers 1947 by Siemel, and a copy of the auction catalog November 15th, 1993 where a large portion of the Siemel collection was sold. There is a signed photograph of Siemel with a jaguar, an article 1947 from the Philadelphia Enquirer about Siemal; all of this comes with the revolver. As to the firearm itself and its tie-in to Siemel we have the oak leaf carved oversized ivory grips with ID plaque on both panels "SAS" and engraved on the right side of the frame "SASHA SIEMEL". This revolver features almost complete 100% master engraving in oak leaf pattern. Both sides of the barrel have a roaring big cat at breech and a jaguar on left side of frame. Can find no sign of engraver's signature, but it has been masterfully done. Standard features include six shot, double action, red ramp front sight, target rear sight, case colored target hammer and case colored trigger. Gun does not appear to have been fired since custom work was done. The factory letter states that this gun was shipped on May 16th, 1950 to Sasha Siemel as an 8-3/8" blued finish with checkered walnut grips Pre-Model 27 serial No. S76977. This revolver was engraved "SASHA SIEMEL" and was an advertising account at no charge. It was a presentation from C.R. Hellstrom, Smith & Wesson's president. Mr. Siemel was an old friend to the Smith & Wesson company and the gold plating was done after this revolver was shipped. There is a copy of the original May 16th, 1950 work order as well. A stunning revolver with a storied history from one of the greatest African writers and hunters.

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