A true lawman's revolver

[Dagga Boy]

1926 3rd Model HE Wolf & Klar .44 Special.

If you were a serious cop gunfighter in Texas or Oklahoma in the Pre WWII years, this would be in your holster. Jelly Bryce and Jerry Campbell carried highly ornate ones...and planted lots of felons. Many of these were "engraved" through the finish by a guy at the Wolf & Klar shop and often had mother of pearl grips with a Longhorn with Ruby eyes. Luckily mine is in a sedate looks like wet oil blue and custom Elk stag stocks.

[imp1295]

Stunning!

[SLG]

That is an awesome gun. Most of my modern revolvers are based off of it, as are my tastes for duty revolvers. Possibly the best looking revolver you have posted yet.

[Lyonsgrid]

Very nice....the shrouded ejector rod really set the 3rd model apart. Pretty rare old work horse.

[Dagga Boy]

Here is Jerry Campbell's rig from when he was an Oklahoma City cop prior to the FBI. Typical Wolf & Klar engraving and grips.

[SeriousStudent]

Damn, that first revolver has a soul. I can sense it from here.

[SLG]

Damn, that first revolver has a soul. I can sense it from here.

That's what good bluing and natural stocks do to you:-)

[Drang]

This thread should have an NSFW warning.

[Dagga Boy]

That's what good bluing and natural stocks do to you:-)

Exactly. As soon as I got the stocks on this one, I all of a sudden felt the need to wear a fedora or classic Stetson and track down some gangsters. It makes you want to hunt bad guys in a tie......which is saying something for me:cool:

[LSP972]

You know, every time I finally listen to myself about ignoring this retro revolver kick, you post something like this.

I have been looking for an M-21, or a pre-model # HD like that one, for a long time. Love that .44 Special cartridge; it reloads like a big .38. The few I have run across were simply more than I was willing to pay; I want a shooter, not a show piece. With the price of Thunder Ranch specials coming down somewhat, I have been tempted a few times to just get one of them. But the lock AND that garish plated emblem on the sideplate, together, are just too much to bear…

While I haven't given up hope, the odds of finding one in good enough condition for less than a king's ransom are getting slimmer with each passing day. I keep looking, though.

.

[Dagga Boy]

Oh....did you say .38/44 Heavy Duty....:cool: How about one of only a hundred Pre War 4" HD's made. Shipped as a blue 4" in 1940, it got nickeled at some point. Exhibition grade walnut stocks. I will likely have the nickel removed and restored to its original blue.

[Hizzie]

Simply awesome.

[Jim Watson]

Had a factory nickel 4" .44 3rd show up around here, matching number prewar Magnas and all. I sure am glad somebody beat me to it.

[Malamute]

Wow! Really nice 1926.

The nickel gun would also look nice with the nickel removed from the hammer and trigger and color case hardened, it would look more original without quite as much work. I rather like nickel guns though.

I'm a bit smitten with the 44 spl. I use a later 4" 24 for a general carry around gun quite a bit.

[Dagga Boy]

Wow! Really nice 1926.

The nickel gun would also look nice with the nickel removed from the hammer and trigger and color case hardened, it would look more original without quite as much work. I rather like nickel guns though.

I'm a bit smitten with the 44 spl. I use a later 4" 24 for a general carry around gun quite a bit.

The only thing I don't like about the 1926 is the hammer, trigger, ejector rod and cylinder release are nickeled. Price was too good and the rest of the gun so pretty that it is tough to complain.
On the .38/44, if I go with the current plan, it will be restored to its original look including the hammer and trigger. I just sold a 38-40 Colt New Service that I planned on doing a Fitz conversion on specifically to fund some gun smithing projects on several of my Smith's.

[Robinson]

I love these threads.

The .38/44 was somewhat of a grail gun to me a while back, but I never followed through.

[LHS]

Seriously. You all need to stop with the porn. I have zero need for a classic revolver, and I have a safari to fund, so it's a good thing someone else jumped on a classic 28-2 that a friend put up for sale yesterday about 15 minutes before I saw it. I don't know if I could have stopped myself.

[Seven_Sicks_Two]

Somewhere around here are pictures of my "shooter grade" Triple Lock. There's just something about those old Hand Ejectors that's just so, "Depression-era badass gunfighter" about them.

[Jim Watson]

I just sold a 38-40 Colt New Service that I planned on doing a Fitz conversion on

Thank the shades of Mason and Ehbets that a good gun was spared what Chic Gaylord called a visit to Robespierre, leaving it suitable only for an affair of honor in a telephone booth.

[LSP972]

... what Chic Gaylord called a visit to Robespierre...

LOL. True… but old Fitz knew what he was doing. And he was a fighter, not a collector. Yeah, so was Gaylord, but whatever...;)

Have you ever handled one? The cut away trigger guard is indeed a recipe for disaster, but everything else makes for a pretty spiffy CQB blaster. One that most folks will never know you have to hand… which was the whole point of the exercise.

I got bored once, and "semi-Fitzed" a 442 I had lying around. I did the "Jordan modification" to the trigger guard- where you thin down the front half of the trigger guard substantially, but don't cut it off- chopped a quarter of an inch off the butt, and did a few other smoothings & roundings here and there… then sent it off to Walter Birdsong (RIP) for Black T.

The result is a pretty nifty pocket piece, which is a bit more concealable than your basic garden-variety J frame.

.

[Hambo]

Great pics of great revolvers. Most people don't realize the pre-war gunfighters killed far more people than those of the 19th century west. They came from hard as nails upbringing in an era when dead was as good as captured.

[Dagga Boy]

Great pics of great revolvers. Most people don't realize the pre-war gunfighters killed far more people than those of the 19th century west. They came from hard as nails upbringing in an era when dead was as good as captured.

Yep, and it wasn't just bad guys...many of the cops were corrupt as well. I would imagine it was like Mexico is today,where being a good guy is a target rich environment, but dangerous on all sides.

[jlw]

That era of Oklahoma lawmen is PRIME untapped movie material.

[Drang]

I got bored once, and "semi-Fitzed" a 442 I had lying around. I did the "Jordan modification" to the trigger guard- where you thin down the front half of the trigger guard substantially, but don't cut it off- chopped a quarter of an inch off the butt, and did a few other smoothings & roundings here and there… then sent it off to Walter Birdsong (RIP) for Black T.

The result is a pretty nifty pocket piece, which is a bit more concealable than your basic garden-variety J frame.
Pics?

[LSP972]

I don't have "permission" to post them here. I do have some, though; send me your e-mail via PM and I'll forward them.

.

[JAD]

That era of Oklahoma lawmen is PRIME untapped movie material.

The Coens would do an awfully good job.

[LtDave]

Yep, and it wasn't just bad guys...many of the cops were corrupt as well. I would imagine it was like Mexico is today,where being a good guy is a target rich environment, but dangerous on all sides.

You can read Charles Askins, Jr's biography for a taste of what went on.

[LHS]

You can read Charles Askins, Jr's biography for a taste of what went on.

A more appropriately-titled book has never been written.

[JodyH]

There are several books on the 1900-1940's Texas Rangers that give a great accounting of that era.

[Poconnor]

Sounds like Stephen hunter needs to write another book. I am rereading Hot Springs right now.

[jlw]

The Coens would do an awfully good job.

If anybody ever does it, I hope they stay close to the actual source material and not get all interpretive.

[Robinson]

Sounds like Stephen hunter needs to write another book. I am rereading Hot Springs right now.

Ah, my favorite Earl Swagger novel. All three were pretty good though. Pale Horse Coming was a dark story, but wheelguns!

[LHS]

Ah, my favorite Earl Swagger novel. All three were pretty good though. Pale Horse Coming was a dark story, but wheelguns!

I read Pale Horse Coming (awesome) and Havana (not bad), still need to read Hot Springs.

[serialsolver]

I may have posted this before but I don't remember but here's my Wolf & Klar 44.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/serialsolver/shooters3001.jpg (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/serialsolver/media/shooters3001.jpg.html)
It left s&w headed to Wolf & Klar in 1929. It has been beat and used up. The cylinder was closed Hollywood style and damaged the recoil shield. It was refinished in nickel and is flaking. The hand was worn out and didn't carry up. I still had to have it. So I bought it. worked on it and shot it. It shot patterns not groups. I looked over more closely and noticed the hostler wear on the muzzle had worn into the crown. So I recut the crown and restored the accuracy.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/serialsolver/shooters3003.jpg (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/serialsolver/media/shooters3003.jpg.html)
I must be weird but I'm just drawn to old guns that have been carried for years and show it. I wished I knew its history.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HCM]

I may have posted this before but I don't remember but here's my Wolf & Klar 44.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/serialsolver/shooters3001.jpg (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/serialsolver/media/shooters3001.jpg.html)
It left s&w headed to Wolf & Klar in 1929. It has been beat and used up. The cylinder was closed Hollywood style and damaged the recoil shield. It was refinished in nickel and is flaking. The hand was worn out and didn't carry up. I still had to have it. So I bought it. worked on it and shot it. It shot patterns not groups. I looked over more closely and noticed the hostler wear on the muzzle had worn into the crown. So I recut the crown and restored the accuracy.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/serialsolver/shooters3003.jpg (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/serialsolver/media/shooters3003.jpg.html)
I must be weird but I'm just drawn to old guns that have been carried for years and show it. I wished I knew its history.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SS, that is AWESOME! It is far more impressive to me than a NIB example could ever be.

I purchased this model 10 in the early 1990's from co-worker who carried it for 25 years on the NYPD. You can see the wear on the right grip. The left grip is worn completely smooth. I'm not sure what it is about this gun but I shoot it VERY well. During a recent outing I was hitting an 8"x11" steel plate at 65 yards with it.

http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr324/hcm3156/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_31261.jpg

[45dotACP]

I read Pale Horse Coming (awesome) and Havana (not bad), still need to read Hot Springs.

You really should.

[Lester Polfus]

Sounds like Stephen hunter needs to write another book. I am rereading Hot Springs right now.

That would be a really good direction for Hunter for his next few books. I feel like he's sort of worn out the modern day settings with Bob Lee.

[NickA]

Stopped at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum today. Here's a couple of 1926 models that were on display, including one that belonged to Lone Wolf Gonzaullas.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/20/1ae2509472d04ca7d94fb2e5bbdfa581.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/20/00eed9da6c942190a71c4ad891aab1f0.jpg

[Dagga Boy]

Great stuff. The Ranger Museum is awesome, especially if you like guns.

Here is my 3.5" model 27 with factory N frame Combat Grips (that bring insane money these days). This is what SLG needs.

[SLG]

That is great looking. I do think that stag grips with a grip adaptor might be the way to go for me though. I resisted putting ivory on my 10mm 1911, but I don't know if I can resist on the future 27.

[Dagga Boy]

That is great looking. I do think that stag grips with a grip adaptor might be the way to go for me though. I resisted putting ivory on my 10mm 1911, but I don't know if I can resist on the future 27.

Definitely. Those grips are far bigger than I like, but for a weird reason they feel good in the hand. I actually shoot good with regular Magna's, and I had Rogers grips on all of my duty working revolvers......but plastic grips are a bit of a crime on a 27. I still love the Rogers and have a brown set I can throw on this gun just to go to the range.

[Dagga Boy]

Lousy picture, but these are the Rogers I love for actually shooting and for carry.

[Wayne Dobbs]

Lousy picture, but these are the Rogers I love for actually shooting and for carry.

Darryl!!

You should feel dirty for putting those cheap ass stocks on that M27.

[JM Campbell]

SS, that is AWESOME! It is far more impressive to me than a NIB example could ever be.

I purchased this model 10 in the early 1990's from co-worker who carried it for 25 years on the NYPD. You can see the wear on the right grip. The left grip is worn completely smooth. I'm not sure what it is about this gun but I shoot it VERY well. During a recent outing I was hitting an 8"x11" steel plate at 65 yards with it.

http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr324/hcm3156/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_31261.jpg
I was there...and it is a smooth shooter. That revolver makes me want one, and I have no soul with my tuperware guns...just saying.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[Dagga Boy]

Darryl!!

You should feel dirty for putting those cheap ass stocks on that M27.

It was just for a minute......;)

[LSP972]

It was just for a minute......;)

No matter… thou hast transgressed.

.

[LSP552]

I resisted putting ivory on my 10mm 1911, but I don't know if I can resist on the future 27.

Every gun gun should have at least one ivory stocked handgun. I broke down about 20 years ago and put a set on a 7 1/2" .44 Special New Frontier. They just get better with age.

[HCM]

Question for the old school Revolver Mafia: my Model 10 pictured above came a Pachmeyr grip adapter and it seems to fit my hand better than the Tylers. In seach ing for more Pachmeyrs, I've come across Smith and Wesson and Mershon grip adapters which appear to be re-branded Pachmeyrs. It there any difference between them?

[Dagga Boy]

IIRC, Pachmayr bought the design from Mershon or there was some arrangement.

[HCM]

IIRC, Pachmayr bought the design from Mershon or there was some arrangement.

Thanks, that makes sense. Some of the ads on eBay and gunbroker show the original boxes and both have the same size/ fit chart on the box.

[LSP972]

Every gun gun should have at least one ivory stocked handgun.

I have managed to resist that all these years. Ivory stocks just never appealed to me, on any level.

.

[LSP972]

Some of the ads on eBay and gunbroker ...

What are they selling for these days? I've been afraid to look...

.

[Robinson]

IIRC, Pachmayr bought the design from Mershon or there was some arrangement.

Yeah the history is a little murky there, but Pachmayr bought out Mershon and then eventually rebranded the items and made some refinements. At one point there was also a lawsuit between the two over shotgun buttpads.

[HCM]

What are they selling for these days? I've been afraid to look...

.

about $50 on Gun broker, $30-40 on E bay if you look hard enough.

[LSP972]

about $50 on Gun broker, $30-40 on E bay if you look hard enough.

Not as bad as I thought.

Thanks.

.

[SLG]

Darryl!!

You should feel dirty for putting those cheap ass stocks on that M27.

The Rogers are plastic, but they are still cool in their own way. Safariland history and all...

[LittleLebowski]

That's what good bluing and natural stocks do to you:-)

Correct.

[Wayne Dobbs]

The Rogers are plastic, but they are still cool in their own way. Safariland history and all...

I was too tough on Darryl. I recall when those came out, along with other Rogers/Safariland goodness back in the late 70s and early 80s. They made so much to move the craft forward back then. It's hard for the new guys in the job to understand just how far we've come on holsters, guns, lights, etc. since then and those stocks were very good on duty guns. They just look so wrong on that 3.5 M27 though.

[Dagga Boy]

Not as bad as I thought.

Thanks.

.

I can hook you up on an n frame one if you are feeling retro.

[Dagga Boy]

I was too tough on Darryl. I recall when those came out, along with other Rogers/Safariland goodness back in the late 70s and early 80s. They made so much to move the craft forward back then. It's hard for the new guys in the job to understand just how far we've come on holsters, guns, lights, etc. since then and those stocks were very good on duty guns. They just look so wrong on that 3.5 M27 though.

Yea, that is why the picture was taken at night on top of the hose box....it was like taking dirty pictures of something you shouldn't be doing....you know its wrong....but did it anyway.

Trust me, when I showed up in both the Academy and then at work with a Safariland SSIII (Rogers 070) holster and those Rogers grips on my piece o crap Model 15 in the Academy and then on the Hebrew Hammer 25-5, I was looked at like an alien. Most of our guys ran Hoyt's or AE Nelson holsters (including swivels) and either S&W target grips or Pachmayers. What was funny is that I was faster out of my "new fangled contraption" holster than the old timers in their speed rig, and my holster saved my life a couple times during attempted gun grabs. We had officers "disarmed" regularly out of those open holsters by car doors and other inanimate objects.

I wish someone would make repros of the Rogers grips in linen micarta or G10.

[SLG]

I was too tough on Darryl.

No such thing!

Youre right though, its amazing how far we've come, and how fast things change today compared to then.

[LSP972]

I can hook you up on an n frame one if you are feeling retro.

Thanks. But I really won't be happy with anything less than a genuine M-21 (long or short action, and NOT the TR edition)… and I just cannot see parting with the necessary scratch to acquire one. Conceivably, I could stumble across a decent one at less than a king's ransom; if I do, I'll be in touch. Hell, I would settle for a decent M-58 right about now… and I actually had one of those back in the day.

BTW… I still have that pair of K frame SB Rogers'; you know, like the ones you desecrated that 3.5" M-27 with ;) ; that you were interested in. Bump me via PM if you have anything along those lines to trade.

.

[SeriousStudent]

......

I wish someone would make repros of the Rogers grips in linen micarta or G10.

Would you be willing to loan out a set as a model? This might be possible.

[rwa]

Jelly Bryce's revolver "Lucky Gun".

http://51297323.domainhost.com/JellyBryce/images/Jellybryce.com-Lucky-Gun.jpg

This one was sold at auction last month in Deadwood, SD for an "undisclosed amount". The gun looked better in person.

http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/24651/22447236_1.jpg?v=8D26383A679D890

[Dagga Boy]

Would you be willing to loan out a set as a model? This might be possible.

Yep.

Yea,those cops in the 30's with the Wolf & Klar "engraving" were not my cop of tea, but they did kill a ton of bad guys with them in what they perceived as style.

[Robinson]

but they did kill a ton of bad guys with them in what they perceived as style.

I've always enjoyed revolvers, but it was a big-bore N Frame that damaged my ears years ago in a single incident. I often wonder how those lawmen who were involved in several shootings with powerful revolvers didn't end up deaf at a relatively young age.

Sorry for the drift -- I really like these wheelgun threads.

[LSP972]

Would you be willing to loan out a set as a model? This might be possible.

G10, with light checkering? You have my attention.

DB, you want me to send this pair directly to him?

.

[Wayne Dobbs]

I would be all over some G10 versions of the Rogers/Safariland stocks!

[Wayne Dobbs]

Yep.

Yea,those cops in the 30's with the Wolf & Klar "engraving" were not my cop of tea, but they did kill a ton of bad guys with them in what they perceived as style.

Plus they were wearing suits and ties when they whacked those turds. If you recall, Jelly's fashion tastes were how he got his nickname.

[SLG]

Something other than g10 might be nice. A little give is not a bad thing.

[Hambo]

I'd be in on a set of Rogers-esque K/L frame grips. I had a set exactly like Nyeti's dirty pic on my first 586. I thought they looked like crap when a gunsmith friend told me to try them, but they felt great.

[SeriousStudent]

I would be all over some G10 versions of the Rogers/Safariland stocks!

Wayne, this is a friend of a friend thing. I'lldefinitely ask - he's a dude over on Foat Wuth that made some really nice scales for a a pair of Spyderco Mules. I know he prefers working with linen micarta over G10, due to the hazardous issues associated with grinding G10.

If this works out, with the linen micarta, maybe he'll do G10? I'll hunt him down through my friend and ask. If somebody loans me a pair of the grips, I'll pay for the first set. Might be a fun raffle prize at the Revolver Roundup/Summit/Cookout/BeerBust.

[SeriousStudent]

Yep.

Yea,those cops in the 30's with the Wolf & Klar "engraving" were not my cop of tea, but they did kill a ton of bad guys with them in what they perceived as style.

Darryl, let me know when you want me to wander over and pick them up.

BTW, I got that JRC SSA for the Ruger you sold me. Es muy bueno!

[Dagga Boy]

I got a Grail gun today. Top gun is a all original nickel 1926 Wolf & Klar 3rd Model HE with the W&K Mother of Pearl steerhead stocks with ruby eyes. Hard to find non-engraved 4". It is shown with the gun from the original post wearing museum grade reproduction service stocks. Enjoy....these are the guns of serious gunfighter's in serious times.

[Trooper224]

Wow.......

[Greg]

Some beautiful revolvers in this thread!

[Tamara]

I really should get my ugly 3rd Model .44 H.E. lettered. It's plainly a Providence, Rhode Island PD gun.

9478

[Dagga Boy]

Two problems...first, you really need to remove those grips from that gun.....it's an abomination.

Second, I think Roy Jinks was let go by Smith & Wesson, apparently some genius at S&W felt he was "unqualified" to be the historian at Smith. I don't know if you can still get letters.

[Tamara]

Two problems...first, you really need to remove those grips from that gun.....it's an abomination.

1) Some of us are starving artists and have to get around to things as we can.

2) You should see what was on that poor thing when I bought it off some cat walking past at the Indy 1500...(for $350! :D )



PS: Have any need for a hideous pair of N-square yellowing plastic "stag" grips missing big chunks at the corners? I'll make you a good price.

[Robinson]

Second, I think Roy Jinks was let go by Smith & Wesson, apparently some genius at S&W felt he was "unqualified" to be the historian at Smith. I don't know if you can still get letters.

What the hell?! One time Mr. Jinks sent me a letter on a S&W 1911 that said its first owner was Gary Paul Johnson. Not a huge deal, but somewhat interesting. The gun was marked SW1911PD, but had a steel frame. It was built before the 'PD' became part of the nomenclature for Scandium pistols. How else would I have known any of that?

[Dagga Boy]

1) Some of us are starving artists and have to get around to things as we can.

2) You should see what was on that poor thing when I bought it off some cat walking past at the Indy 1500...(for $350! :D )



PS: Have any need for a hideous pair of N-square yellowing plastic "stag" grips missing big chunks at the corners? I'll make you a good price.

If you ever get a brace of square butt pre war N frames, I have the exact same set of plastic stags that came on my triple lock. That was apparently a big surprise to the hard as nails old coot I bought it from.."you suuureee them is plastic, theyz looks real authentic stag to me"....."don't matter, I ain't reducing the price none" knowing I just drove three hours to get the like brand new (refinished) Triple lock with "Genuine stag grips".

[SeriousStudent]

I got a Grail gun today. Top gun is a all original nickel 1926 Wolf & Klar 3rd Model HE with the W&K Mother of Pearl steerhead stocks with ruby eyes. Hard to find non-engraved 4". It is shown with the gun from the original post wearing museum grade reproduction service stocks. Enjoy....these are the guns of serious gunfighter's in serious times.

That blued revolver looks wonderful.

[Tamara]

If you ever get a brace of square butt pre war N frames...

I only have two other square-butt prewar N's. One of them's been done over as a bullseye gun by Clark back in the day and currently has some ho-hum micarta stocks and a Tyler T, and the other...well...I'm not replacing these with plastic stag. :D

9481

[Dagga Boy]

MUCH better! I am not a big Mother of Pearl fan, but on guns of certain era's or types it is right.

[Tamara]

MUCH better! I am not a big Mother of Pearl fan, but on guns of certain era's or types it is right.

Thing is, with period grips like that, I need to take them off to shoot the gun. They're probably worth as much as that tatty 2nd Model and I'd hate to see 'em crack under .44 Spl recoil. :(

[Dagga Boy]

Thing is, with period grips like that, I need to take them off to shoot the gun. They're probably worth as much as that tatty 2nd Model and I'd hate to see 'em crack under .44 Spl recoil. :(

Trust me, I have never actually fired a gun with Ivory or MOP grips. And stag once. That stuff is neat to look at, but I will not risk it breaking or being damaged with how valuable it is and age always effects natural stuff. There is way too much great synthetic reproduction stuff out there to risk damaging the good stuff that cannot be fixed or replaced.

[Stephanie B]

This thread should have an NSFW warning.

"Not Safe For Wallet"... indeed.

[Bigghoss]

"Not Safe For Wallet"... indeed.

For serious. I've been looking at double action revolvers for days now.

[Wayne Dobbs]

I really should get my ugly 3rd Model .44 H.E. lettered. It's plainly a Providence, Rhode Island PD gun.

9478

Tamara,

I don't know what's possible on that PPD revolver, but one of my Colt Armorer Instructor co-workers is a 36 year veteran there and may have some ability to check history on that. No promises, of course.