UPDATE: To see scans of the provenance package, click here.
J. Edgar Hoover's Smith & Wesson Airweight Model 37 revolver (.38 special), serial #24325, 2″ barrel, nicely custom-engraved on the side with the FBI director's name, "J. Edgar Hoover." The gun is handsomely fitted with its original smooth walnut, round-butt grips, and retains its original factory blue finish (with a few scratches to the cylinder). Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, the Airweight Chief's Special was designed to be the lightest weight revolver available; its highly concealable nature made it a favorite carry weapon for detectives, special agents, and 'plainclothes men.' Housed in a custom-fitted presentation box, gilt-embossed with "J. Edgar Hoover" on the lid; also accompanied by its original Smith & Wesson cardboard box, with 'Helpful Hints' instruction booklet inside.
Includes two factory letters from the Office of Smith & Wesson, dated 1989 and 1992, discussing the history of the gun: "Several revolvers from the first production lot of Airweight Chiefs Specials were presented to chief executives of the various ammunition companies and leaders of the top law enforcement agencies in the United States. The most distinguished member of the law enforcement community to receive one of those handguns was Mr. J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI…Your handgun, with serial number 24325, was shipped from our factory on December 22, 1952, and delivered to J. Edgar Hoover, Washington, D.C."
Additionally includes a 1981 letter from Smith & Wesson, enclosing copies of their original shipping records—showing the "Chiefs Special" with serial no. 24325 being sent to "Mr. J. Edgar Hoover, Federal Bureau of Investigation"—and commenting on the engraving: "We are unable to locate records showing when or by whom the revolver was engraved; however, it is most likely that the name would have been inscribed by Smith & Wesson's engraved before the revolver was presented to Mr. Hoover." Also includes a notarized letter of provenance from Asst. Director John Mohr, FBI, stating that he received the revolver from Hoover's protégé Clyde Tolson, who inherited Hoover's estate. An additional notarized document, tracing the chronological history of the revolver's ownership over four decades, accompanies the lot.
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