** Smith & Wesson M&P Revolver Presented To General Jonathan M. Wainwright

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Live

Arms and Armor Day 1: Live Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

May 6, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-05-06 10:00:00 2020-05-06 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Arms and Armor Day 1: Live Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/arms-and-armor-day-1-live-auction-5055
Cowan’s is pleased to offer for its May 2020 Premier Auction an enviable collection of fine antique arms and military accessories. While the entire sale is indeed a showcase of rare and desirable items, several lots showcased in the May sale are of special interest to advanced collectors. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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• Lot Description
  .38 Special caliber, 4" barrel, S/N C128744. Satin blue finish, round butt frame, checkered wood grips with silver S&W medallion. Six-shot cylinder, standard Smith & Wesson markings throughout. Presented to General Jonathan M. Wainwright in 1950, with the presentation factory stamped in five lines on the left side of the frame between the grip and cylinder reading: "PRESENTED TO / GENERAL J.M. WAINWRIGHT BY / PAUL JONES MEMORIAL CHAPTER / DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS / CLEVELAND, TENNESSEE."
  
  The revolver is accompanied by a copy of the Roy Jinks S&W factory letter confirming the configuration of the revolver, including the satin blue finish, factory applied presentation and the fact that the revolver was shipped on November 10, 1950, directly to Luther Goodwin; the chief of police for Cleveland, TN at the time. The revolver was sold through the Drisman Hardware Company of Chattanooga, TN.
  
  The revolver was presented during a banquet that occurred while General Wainwright was in the area, where he apparently spent time with the locals hunting wild boars and sampling Jack Daniels provided by the owner of the distillery, Rigger Motlow. Several letters regarding the event from participants are included as well as an original 8"x10" black and white glossy of the General at the dinner, stamped TOM GALLANT / CHATTANOOGA NEWS  / FREE - PRESS, with handwritten identifications of the of those in the photo on the rear. The revolver is additionally accompanied by a 1990 dated bill of sale where it sold for $25,000.
  
  General Jonathan W. "Skinny" Wainwright (1883-1953) came from a family of military men who served their country with distinction. His grandfather was killed in action during the Civil War. His father lead a squadron of cavalry during the Spanish-American War at the Battle of Santiago (Cuba) and was killed in action in the Philippines in 1902. J.W. Wainwright attended West Point, graduating in 1906, was assigned to the 1st Cavalry and saw combat in the Philippines during the Moro insurrection. During WWI he served as the assistant chief of Staff of the 82nd Division, which saw combat during the offensive actions at Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne.
  
  After WWI he saw a variety of assignments, attended the US Army Command and General Staff School and the Army War College. In 1940, he returned to the Philippines as a general and the senior US Army field commander under General Douglas MacArthur. The United States entered WWII in December of 1941.
  
  In his new command, General Wainwright oversaw the US resistance to the Japanese invasion of the Philippines under General MacArthur. Eventually Wainwright took over MacArthur's role as Allied Commander Philippines in March of 1942 after MacArthur was evacuated. In order to try to save the lives of his men, General Wainwright ordered the surrender of the US forces in the Philippines in may of 1942, when it became clear that they could not hold out against the Japanese onslaught. He then became the highest ranking American officer to be a prisoner of war and spent the next three years incarcerated by the Japanese in various POW camps. There he suffered the depredations and abuse of his captors, along with his men. When General Wainwright was liberated he reported to his old commander General MacArthur and was present on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered unconditionally. Wainwright was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on September 19, 1945 for his Philippine service and internment. He retired as a 4-star general and died in 1953 of a stroke.
  
  This is a fantastic presentation piece to a true American hero and Congressional Medal of Honor winner with iron clad provenance and documentation that would be the centerpiece of any advanced Smith & Wesson of World War II related collection.
  
  Provenance:From the Collection of Peter Wainwright Jr.
  
  **Requires C&R or FFL

  Condition

  Excellent. Revolver retains nearly all of the original factory satin blued finish, nearly all of the vivid case color on the hammer and trigger. Cylinder with a light turn ring through the stop slots. Revolver retains clear, crisp markings throughout. Mechanically functional, fine bore, bright chambers and likely unfired. Grips fine as well with one some very light handling marks.
• Shipping Info

  • Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful Bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial. - If there is no shipping amount on listed your invoice, you will need to make arrangements to pick up or ship your purchase through an alternative shipping company. Our shipping department can be contacted at 513.871.1670 (ext. 219) or email shipping@cowans.com. - Shipping charges include insurance for your order while in transit. If you have private insurance we will adjust your charge to include only packing and shipping. - Please allow 14 – 21 days after payment to package and ship your purchase as carefully as possible.

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	28.00
    $250,001	23.00
    $3,000,001	15.00