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18BIL-8 S&W DA #80077

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:750.00 USD
18BIL-8 S&W DA #80077
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Smith & Wesson .32/20 hand ejector DA revolver, 4” barrel, blued finish, checkered wood grips, S/N 80077 with inscription on backstrap “Bat Masterson to W.E. Lewis my friend and ‘Boss’”. Factory letter indicates revolver was shipped from the factory on March 28, 1919, and delivered to Cullum & Boren Co., Dallas, TX; barrel length, finish and grips confirmed. Interestingly, aside from his notoriety as a buffalo hunter,lawman, gunfighter and gambler, Masterson was a journalist. In his later years, he worked as a sports writer in New York City for the Morning Telegraph and was hired by William Eugene Lewis, a longtime friend andnewspaperman Bat met in Dodge City in the mid-1880’s. Lewis ultimately became the general manager and president of the company and promoted his friend, Masterson, to vice president and company secretary. On October25, 1921, at the age of 67, Bat died at his desk from a heart attack after penning what would become his final column for the New York Morning Telegraph. The gun is in overall good overall condition showing considerable original finish with spots of wear and erosion from carry and use; there are also some spots of old pitting; the action is good, the grips have wear and some old dings and chips to the bottom of the right grip and the inscription is hand engraved. No additional provenance accompanies this gun beyond a binder of general information on both individuals. (C& R). Est.: $1,500-$3,000.