2480 WELL DOCUMENTED PAIR OF SMITH & WESSON REVOLVERS

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Oct 31 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 6,000.00 USD
Estimated at 12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
USED BY TEXAS RANGER CAPTAIN CLINT PEOPLES. Clint Peoples began his law enforcement career in Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas as a Deputy Sheriff in 1930. During the Conroe Oil field boom he was hired as Chief Deputy Constable and then promoted to Chief Deputy. Conroe was a very dangerous place during the oil boom which attracted criminals of all kinds including murders, racketeers, gamblers, hijackers, prostitutes, and burglars. These pistols allegedly saved Clint Peoples' life on several occasions. Later he entered the highway patrol in Austin in November of 1941 and was promoted to Ranger in 1946. Promotion to Captain in the Rangers came in 1953 and Senior Captain in 1969. A position he held until his retirement in 1973. In 1974 he was appointed U.S. Marshall for the Northern District of Texas by President Nixon, a position he held until 1989. (1.) SMITH & WESSON FIRST MODEL HAND EJECTOR "TRIPLE LOCK" DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER. Cal. 44 S&W. S# 12975. The nickname "Triple Lock" came from the addition of the added security of a lock on the yoke front engaging the extractor casing. Bbl. 4" with semi-circular front sight and shrouded ejector. 6-shot fluted cyl. Action and bbl. have 75% coverage of vine type foliate scroll hand engraving with punch dot backgrounds. Cyl. has complimentary engraving without the background. Back strap is script engraved "Clint Peoples/ Senior Ranger Captain". Custom engraving and full silver finish were added after Peoples' promotion to Senior Captain in 1969. 2-piece pearl grips with raised carved steel head on the right panel. CONDITION: revolver retains most of its silver finish having acquired a pleasing dark tarnish. Engraving on frame and bbl. show some thinning. Grips show small chips with a hairline crack extending from the bottom of the left panel. Action is tight with sound mechanics. Bore exhibits spots of mild to moderate pitting while retaining intact rifling. (25-4160/DS/MLW). (2.) SMITH & WESSON HAND EJECTOR MODEL OF 1926 DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER. Cal. 44 S&W. S# 32586. Bbl. 4" rnd. with semi-circular sight and shrouded ejector. 6-shot fluted cyl. Frame, cyl., and bbl. have 75% coverage of vine type foliate scroll with punch dot backgrounds. Circular vignette on right sideplate has a Texas Ranger marking around a 5-point star. Area above trigger guard forward of the sideplate shows a scene with a buck deer. Banner on left side of frame shows a charging buffalo bull with a stone bridge scene above the front of the trigger guard bow. Back strap is script engraved "Clint Peoples/ Senior Ranger Captain". Custom engraving and full silver finish were added after Peoples' promotion to Senior Captain in 1969. 2-piece pearl grips. CONDITION: this revolver retains most of its silver finish having acquired a striking dark patina. Left grip panel has a small chip at the heel. Action is sound and tight. Bore retains strong rifling showing scattered spots of light pitting. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: documents included consists of a Smith & Wesson letter dated May 9th, 1972 and signed by R.G. Jinks, Historian. This letter describes the first of the revolvers as a "Triple Lock" introduced in 1908 and mfg. until 1917. This revolver was shipped from the factory October 5th, 1916 and purchased A.J. Anderson & Co. of Fort Worth, TX. The second revolver a Model of 1926 was mfg. at the request of Wolf & Klar of Fort Worth, TX. This revolver was shipped on December 3rd, 1928. A letter dated September 11, 1973 and signed by Clint Peoples, Senior Ranger Captain, Texas Ranger Service details the use of these revolvers during his storied law enforcement career. He states in the letter "It is a pleasure for me to present to you a pair of .44 engraved nickel plated pearl handled Smith & Wesson pistols". The letter is addressed to Mr. Raymond Brown, COUNTRY STORE GALLERY, 1304 Lavaca, Austin, TX. A notarized affidavit dated November 2nd, 2000 is signed by Donna Peoples, wife of late Texas Ranger Captain Clint Peoples, describes the 2 revolvers used by her husband. The affidavit is addressed to Robert E. Davis, 4500 Speight, Waco, TX 7611. A copy of the book "Captain Clint Peoples Texas Ranger, Fifty Years A Lawman" by James M. Day documents the history and highlights of the Ranger's career. Pages 108-111 discuss a particularly interesting shootout with a man with "psychotic tendencies" who murdered Texas Sheriff Harry Dunlap resulting in a several hour standoff. Eventually a armored car was used by Ranger Captain Peoples and Falls County Sheriff Grady Pamplin to approach close enough to the house to fire tear gas canisters inside. After accidentally exploding a canister of gas in the tank, Peoples and Pamplin raised to get air and the crazed suspect, N.J. Tines, fired, shooting through Ranger Peoples hat and clipping off a lock of his hair. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Norm Greenberg Collection. (25-4161/DS/MLW). BOTH CURIO. $12,000-18,000.