April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
This is an interesting revolver, it is an all standard U.S. issue Model 1917 Smith & Wesson that was made to fire a .45 ACP cartridge by use of half-moon clips. It is a blue, six shot, double action, with case colored hammer and trigger. Left side of frame has the ordnance bomb. Left rear trigger bow has the eagle inspector stamp. The butt is stamped with the serial number as well as "U.S. Army Model 1917". Bottom of barrel is stamped "United States Property". There is an inspector eagle head on bottom of barrel and back of cylinder with matching serial numbers as well. Original walnut grips. There is a lanyard in the butt. CONDITION: Gun retains approximately 90% of original factory blue finish. There is overall high edge wear on all sharp surfaces, muzzle wear, and scattered handling marks. Most screws are true. Has a well defined bore with shiny grooves. Indexes correctly, both single and double action. The revolver was sourced from the family of Major John H. Gregory. It has been in the family since it was acquired from General Clark. Major Gregory who kept a diary of his time overseas during World War II, in particular February 25th, 1943 while in Casablanca where he wrote a note, much of it mundane, but in there he writes "Swapped gun for a Smith & Wesson carried by General Clark". It has remained in the family ever since. We have a signed letter from Robert H. Gregory who was an L-4A Pilot immediately after the war. The letter is addressed to Ms. Jane Yates of the citadel archives. The letter discusses this revolver as well as the military duty of the three sons who are now in their 80's. Letter dated 2008. So the lineage of this revolver is well documented from 1943 to present. Major Gregory was involved in many of the battles in the Africa region during the second world war, but it is the attribution to General Mark Wayne Clark that is the most intriguing. There is a short biography of Clark taken from the citadel archives included with this lot. Clark graduated from West Point in 1917 and immediately there after was sent to France where he fought in several battles including the infamous Mause-Argonne. He stayed in the military until World War II erupted, working as an instructor at the Army War College. In January 1942 he became the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army Ground Forces and in May of 1942 named Chief of Staff, then becoming Commander of the Army Ground Forces in the European Theater and in October 1942, Deputy Commander and Chief of the Allied Forces in the North African Theater. January of 1943 he became Commanding General of the 5th Army, headquartered in OUJDA North Africa where he spent seven months. On June 4th, 1944, the 5th Army captured Rome, the first Axis Capital. In June of 1945 he was Commander and Chief of the U.S. Occupation Forces. General Clark accepted the presidency of the citadel on October 23rd, 1953. This revolver is being consigned directly from the Gregory family and its history and provenance is well documented. This is a rare opportunity for one to own a service revolver used by one of the most famous generals of the second world war. An exciting piece of World War II history that rightly belongs in the citadel museum. Note: The letter from the son lists the serial number one number off.
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson