*LOT OF THREE SMITH & WESSON REVOLVERS THAT BELONGED TO FAMOUS FAST DRAW QUICK SHOT ARTIST AND AUTHOR ED MCGIVERN.

The following three revolvers were owned and presumably used by world renowned fast draw and trick shot artist Ed McGivern of Montana. Mr. McGivern developed the technique of fast draw with accurate shooting which for years he taught to law enforcement officers around the country. He was also an exhibition shooter, traveling the country giving shooting demonstrations. He was the author of several books, the most famous of which was published in 1938, Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting, two copies of which accompany this lot. One copy is inscribed to Walt Morris and signed by Mr. McGivern. The other is inscribed to Jack Sawlor with a long sentiment and signed by Mr. McGivern. Mr. McGivern began his shooting career in the late 1920’s/early 1930’s and found that he was an exceptional shot with uncanny speed. At that time there were no devices capable of timing his actual shooting speed so he invented his own which allowed him to positively demonstrate just how fast he was. In 1932 he set a new record which still stands today. He emptied two revolvers in less than two seconds and another record of 5 shots in 2/5 of a second from 15 ft and could cover the group with his hand. At still another demonstration he twice fired 5 shots in 45/100 of a second from 15 ft and the group could be covered by a silver dollar. Mr. McGivern was the most unlikely looking quick draw artist one could imagine. He was short and rather portly and looked like someone’s kindly grandfather. 1) SCARCE EARLY CENTENNIAL CHIEF’S SPECIAL DA REVOLVER. SN: 1719. Cal. 38 Spcl. Blue finish with 2″ bbl, fixed sights and smooth 2-pc, silver medallion magna grips numbered to this revolver. Accompanied by its orig 2-pc Chinese red box with blue and white end label which is over-stamped in two places “CENTENNIAL”. Also accompanied by a 2-pg Smith and Wesson Factory letter which identifies this revolver, as found here and shipped January 20, 1954 to Ed McGivern, Great Falls, MT. These revolvers were manufactured 1952-1974 in two different serial series with 30,160 produced in this serial range. From 1952-1957 it was simply known as the Centennial Model. Then in 1957 it became the Model 40. 2) OUTSTANDING SMITH AND WESSON COMBAT MASTERPIECE DA REVOLVER. SN: K168189. Cal. 38 Spcl. Blue finish with 4″ ribbed bbl, partridge front sight with “McGivern” gold bead & target rear sight, standard trigger & hammer and is mounted with 2-pc smooth walnut maga grips with blank brass medallions numbered to another revolver. Although not matching, these grips fit well. Accompanied by a mismatched blue and gold Smith and Wesson 2-pc box that has a blue and white end label. Label is applied over the orig box marking, which is for a 6″ revolver. Also accompanied by a Smith and Wesson Factor letter which identifies this revolver as a pre-model 15 in cal 38 Special which was shipped February 25, 1953 to Ed McGivern, Great Falls, MT with 4″ bbl and “smooth magna stocks”. 3) SMITH AND WESSON MODEL 1917 COMMERCIAL FINISH TARGET DA REVOLVER. SN: 23703. Cal. 45 ACP and 45 Colt. Blue finish with 5-1/2″ bbl, pedestal mounted partridge front sight with “McGivern” gold bead and adjustable target rear sight. Right sideplate is engraved “ED McGIVERN / OF MONTANA / 1938”. Mounted with smooth walnut magna grips, identical configuration to the grips on #2 above. Buttstrap has the hole for a Lanyard stud and ring, which is missing. Also accompanied by a spare cyl and crane. Both cyls are matching numbered to this revolver. Both cyls have Mr. McGivern’s modifications, having had their rear edges rounded. SN on buttstrap is accompanied by a 5-pointed star which indicates factory restoration. Left side of frontstrap, under the grip, has the tiny numbers “3.43” and the backstrap with a small diamond. These numbers and symbols further indicate that this revolver was refinished at the factory in March 1943. Bottom flat of bbl is marked with a tiny Springfield Armory eagle and number “S34”. Additionally accompanied by two of Mr. McGivern’s stopwatches. One watch, with nickeled case, is marked Sterling and the other is Swiss with nickeled case engraved on the back “ED McGIVERN / OF MONTANA / 1920”. Top of the box, which contains this watch, is marked “MASTER STOP WATCH” and has Mr. McGivern’s name and address in Great Falls, MT. Additionally accompanied by a 2-pg Smith and Wesson Factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal 45 ACP, shipped March 21, 1918 to Springfield Armory, MA in standard configuration. Undoubtedly Mr. McGivern obtained this revolver as surplus or a gift, added the second cyl, and had it refinished at the factory. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. CONDITION: 1) Extremely fine plus, all matching. Overall retains about 99% crisp orig blue, appears to have been used very little. Grips have a few minor nicks. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore. Box is intact, slightly yellowed label and is missing a small patch of red covering on the top, otherwise is intact with light soil. 2) Extremely fine plus, overall retains 98-99% crisp orig factory blue with faint muzzle edge wear and a light cyl line. Trigger and hammer retain brilliant case colors. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore. May have been fired but if so very little. Box is fine, missing a couple spots of paper on top. 3) Extremely fine plus, all matching including both cyls, grips are unnumbered. Overall retains 96-97% strong orig factory restored finish with slight muzzle edge wear and a cyl line. Grips are fine. Crisp mechanics. Bright shiny bore. Swiss stopwatch appears to be running and functioning. The other watch, also Swiss, is not running. The two books are fine. 4-53988 JR194 (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3172

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3172	$24,780.00	LOT OF THREE SMITH & WESSON REVOLVERS THAT BELONGED TO FAMOUS FAST DRAW QUICK SHOT ARTIST AND AUTHOR ED MCGIVERN. The following three revolvers were owned and presumably used by world renowned fast draw and trick shot artist Ed McGivern of Montana. Mr. McGivern developed the technique of fast draw with accurate shooting which for years he taught to law enforcement officers around the country. He was also an exhibition shooter, traveling the country giving shooting demonstrations. He was the author of several books, the most famous of which was published in 1938, Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting, two copies of which accompany this lot. One copy is inscribed to Walt Morris and signed by Mr. McGivern. The other is inscribed to Jack Sawlor with a long sentiment and signed by Mr. McGivern. Mr. McGivern began his shooting career in the late 1920’s/early 1930’s and found that he was an exceptional shot with uncanny speed. At that time there were no devices capable of timing his actual shooting speed so he invented his own which allowed him to positively demonstrate just how fast he was. In 1932 he set a new record which still stands today. He emptied two revolvers in less than two seconds and another record of 5 shots in 2/5 of a second from 15 ft and could cover the group with his hand. At still another demonstration he twice fired 5 shots in 45/100 of a second from 15 ft and the group could be covered by a silver dollar. Mr. McGivern was the most unlikely looking quick draw artist one could imagine. He was short and rather portly and looked like someone’s kindly grandfather. 1) SCARCE EARLY CENTENNIAL CHIEF’S SPECIAL DA REVOLVER. SN: 1719. Cal. 38 Spcl. Blue finish with 2″ bbl, fixed sights and smooth 2-pc, silver medallion magna grips numbered to this revolver. Accompanied by its orig 2-pc Chinese red box with blue and white end label which is over-stamped in two places “CENTENNIAL”. Also accompanied by a 2-pg Smith and Wesson Factory letter which identifies this revolver, as found here and shipped January 20, 1954 to Ed McGivern, Great Falls, MT. These revolvers were manufactured 1952-1974 in two different serial series with 30,160 produced in this serial range. From 1952-1957 it was simply known as the Centennial Model. Then in 1957 it became the Model 40. 2) OUTSTANDING SMITH AND WESSON COMBAT MASTERPIECE DA REVOLVER. SN: K168189. Cal. 38 Spcl. Blue finish with 4″ ribbed bbl, partridge front sight with “McGivern” gold bead & target rear sight, standard trigger & hammer and is mounted with 2-pc smooth walnut maga grips with blank brass medallions numbered to another revolver. Although not matching, these grips fit well. Accompanied by a mismatched blue and gold Smith and Wesson 2-pc box that has a blue and white end label. Label is applied over the orig box marking, which is for a 6″ revolver. Also accompanied by a Smith and Wesson Factor letter which identifies this revolver as a pre-model 15 in cal 38 Special which was shipped February 25, 1953 to Ed McGivern, Great Falls, MT with 4″ bbl and “smooth magna stocks”. 3) SMITH AND WESSON MODEL 1917 COMMERCIAL FINISH TARGET DA REVOLVER. SN: 23703. Cal. 45 ACP and 45 Colt. Blue finish with 5-1/2″ bbl, pedestal mounted partridge front sight with “McGivern” gold bead and adjustable target rear sight. Right sideplate is engraved “ED McGIVERN / OF MONTANA / 1938”. Mounted with smooth walnut magna grips, identical configuration to the grips on #2 above. Buttstrap has the hole for a Lanyard stud and ring, which is missing. Also accompanied by a spare cyl and crane. Both cyls are matching numbered to this revolver. Both cyls have Mr. McGivern’s modifications, having had their rear edges rounded. SN on buttstrap is accompanied by a 5-pointed star which indicates factory restoration. Left side of frontstrap, under the grip, has the tiny numbers “3.43” and the backstrap with a small diamond. These numbers and symbols further indicate that this revolver was refinished at the factory in March 1943. Bottom flat of bbl is marked with a tiny Springfield Armory eagle and number “S34”. Additionally accompanied by two of Mr. McGivern’s stopwatches. One watch, with nickeled case, is marked Sterling and the other is Swiss with nickeled case engraved on the back “ED McGIVERN / OF MONTANA / 1920”. Top of the box, which contains this watch, is marked “MASTER STOP WATCH” and has Mr. McGivern’s name and address in Great Falls, MT. Additionally accompanied by a 2-pg Smith and Wesson Factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal 45 ACP, shipped March 21, 1918 to Springfield Armory, MA in standard configuration. Undoubtedly Mr. McGivern obtained this revolver as surplus or a gift, added the second cyl, and had it refinished at the factory. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. CONDITION: 1) Extremely fine plus, all matching. Overall retains about 99% crisp orig blue, appears to have been used very little. Grips have a few minor nicks. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore. Box is intact, slightly yellowed label and is missing a small patch of red covering on the top, otherwise is intact with light soil. 2) Extremely fine plus, overall retains 98-99% crisp orig factory blue with faint muzzle edge wear and a light cyl line. Trigger and hammer retain brilliant case colors. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore. May have been fired but if so very little. Box is fine, missing a couple spots of paper on top. 3) Extremely fine plus, all matching including both cyls, grips are unnumbered. Overall retains 96-97% strong orig factory restored finish with slight muzzle edge wear and a cyl line. Grips are fine. Crisp mechanics. Bright shiny bore. Swiss stopwatch appears to be running and functioning. The other watch, also Swiss, is not running. The two books are fine. 4-53988 JR194 (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3172 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*LOT OF THREE SMITH & WESSON REVOLVERS THAT BELONGED TO FAMOUS FAST DRAW QUICK SHOT ARTIST AND AUTHOR ED MCGIVERN.