The S+W Ed McGivern M+P 38 Commemorative

[brownie0486]

Here's one thats interesting. Limited Edition run in the year 2000

Smith & Wesson Model 15-9 Ed McGivern 1938 Commem. 6” Nickel NIB

This revolver, serial number BCD01xx, is part of a strictly limited run to commemorate Ed McGivern’s 1934 World Record-Breaking shooting in 1934. Appropriately, this special edition revolver has the McGivern metallic bead sights. This revolver is bright nickel, round butt with patterned, checkered magna walnut grips, in period-correct a gold-toned hinged-edge box.

It's a "one of 150" reproduction in NIckel [ produced in 2000 ] of Smith and Wessons model of 1902 Target model which was a .38 pre numbered M&P frame. The original models came in other calibers of that era as well. McGivern preferred the 38 special in this gun. The difference between the model of 1905 and the model of 1902 was the grip. The 1902 was a round butt and the 1905 was a square butt. The model of 1902 ( with the round butt frame ) is the longest continuously-produced gun in the history of S & W.

This commemorative was also made in blue [ another 150 of these ]in the same year [ 2000 ]

The round butt 1902's are ocassionally called 1905 M+P Target models which is incorrect. The first square butt model 1905's were made in late 1904.

McGiverns record setter was 5 shots in 2/5ths of a second into a group that could be covered with a playing card at 15 feet. He did it twice that day to show that it wasn't a fluke.

Here's the photo of the record breaking target, along with another photo of McGivern ariel shooting back in the 1930's.

Jim Music has got me into ariel shooting with a passion since coming out here last year and showing me how to shoot baseballs and golfballs out of the air with a 6" K22 Combat Masterpiece which is the offsrping of the earlier 1902 and 1905 M+P Target models.

Jim was using a K22 6" as well that was made in 1948 when he was out here last year. He can ariel shoot folks

Here's some pics of the commemorative and the actual target shot by McGivern in 1934 along with one of him shooting ariels.

Brownie

 

[XavierBreath]

Nice gun there Brownie!

One of my favorite shootin' revolvers is the S&W Model 15-9 Heritage pictured below. These revolvers were clearanced by CDNN in 2002 for $599, and this one remains the only new S&W revolver I have ever purchased. It's also one of the best deals in that it is a Performance Center gun, originally retailing at $1069.95. There is presently one for sale for $635 at Robertson's Trading Post in Henderson, Tennessee.

Obviously, mine is a case colored version, and I've installed a Hogue Monogrip to make it a bit more shootable. The grip frame of the Heritage Model seemed smaller than my round butted K frames (including a 1899 M&P), although I never really measured them. I simply prefer the Hogue grip on my shootin' guns. It fits my hand exactly right. The grips on the 1902 were, of course, hard rubber or walnut without the medallion. A large S&W monogram was rollmarked on the sideplate. The S&W Heritage Model 15-9 has a MIM teardrop shaped hammer, a smooth trigger with an adjustment screw for overtravel, and a frame mounted firing pin. A Performance Center stamp is underneath the cylinder release with the McGivern plaque on the other side. They came in case colors, nickel and blue, and there is no integral lock. The checkered walnut grips on the Model 15-9 are not magnas. The box lithography is in no way period correct, although it is cardboard and has metal reinforcing corners. The top is not hinged, it lifts off. The revolver came inside it wrapped in some nice Smith & Wesson logoed wax paper.

I haven't compared a Model of 1902 Target revolver with it, but there are significant differences I think. On the exterior, the 1902 rear sight leaf has a square front, with a smooth surface and the barrel is pinned. The Model 15-9 rear sight is rounded and flush on the front, with a ribbed surface, and the barrel is not pinned. The 1902 rear sight was not adjustable for elevation. The extractor knob on the 1902 was the mushroom type. The square butt frame was introduced in November, 1904 around serial number 58,000. More significantly, the 1902 has an entirely different action, without the rebound slide, secured with pins extending through the frame. They also had a spring loaded plunger in the yoke to hold the yoke open. These pieces are frequently missing if the cylinder was ever removed.

A lot of folks, collectors in particular and our own esteemed Tamara, derided the S&W Heritage Models as revolvers that never existed. It is true that they never existed before, and they are not exactly reproductions of any other revolver. They are, however, very nice Performance Center revolvers that do exist now, and some collectors are starting to wish they had bought when they held on to their money and refused to purchase them.

 

[keyboard commando]

Retro Revolver

Very nice ! how does it shoot?

 

[XavierBreath]

See the range report I linked in my post.

 

[keyboard commando]

hmmmmmm.....

I believe I would be very tempted if I ran across one for sale at a reasonable price. I have actually looked at a similar revolver in 44 mag. that had a fit and finish that was outstanding.

 

[brownie0486]

XavierBreath,

I've been told by S+W collectors no MIM parts on these guns. The one at Robertsons is sold, it's on it's way to me. I bought it for the quasi connection to McGivern, not as an exact repro so I'm content with it.

Very nice report on the 15-9, I appreciate the information on that outstanding piece of yours.

Brownie

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Nice gun. The McGivern bead front sights can't be beat, IMO. This one was made in the 1920s:

 

[brownie0486]

Dave,

Nice piece. If you ever decide to sell it, let me have first choice if you would. That would be right in line with the years McGivern was shooting up a storm.

Brownie

 

[XavierBreath]

Brownie,
I have a feeling you are going to really like this revolver. Let me know what you think after you shoot it! Hopefully it will arrive quicker than the TOZ-35M that I ordered Tuesday. It seems Overnight Air is not overnight this week. Something about Thanksgiving.

I may be wrong about the MIM. It wouldn't be the first time. I seem to recall seeing the little round depressions on the hammer when I had the revolver apart. (I can't seem to resist disassembling a gun), but I've only had the revolver apart once, back when I first bought it. The trigger and hammer, indeed the frame itself were so beautifully polished that I was suspicious. I actually wanted to make certain the frame it'self was not MIM! It looked that smooth and perfect! From the outside of the revolver, there is no indication that the hammer might be MIM. The reverse of the trigger appears to be like any other S&W trigger with the exception of the overtravel screw. Again, I could be incorrect on that assertation.

I actually prefer the more modern rear sight. The rounded front is beautifully fit into the frame, and of course, you can adjust it for elevation. This makes aiming the gun a simple process of placing the Call bead in the rear notch. Of course, I understand that may not come naturally for you. Even though it is reminiscent of a revolver that "never was", it is a very "handy" pointable gun, especially with a grip that truely fits the hand. The long tapered barrel is almost like a finger.

My only regret on this revolver is I would like to be able to remove the McGivern plaque on mine. It's held on with solid rivets, and is set into a recess in the frame. Removing it would not only leave the holes, but also the recess. The ones without the McGivern did not come with the Call bead front sight, and I wanted that sight. The Hogue Monogrip covers most of it, but not all.

I'm a guy that really appreciates the old Smith & Wesson guns, and I'm an avid accumulator of the .38 special ones, along with some J and N frames tossed in. The quality of workmanship on these Heritage Models is such that I can't understand why folks did not snatch them up. I guess there are just to many good deals on old S&W revolvers around to pay a grand for a new one that kind of looks like an old one. I guess people who wanted that type of gun just decided to buy the older gun for less money. For $635, you got a great deal on a very nice revolver. To me, it's a shootin' gun, it's to good not to shoot. I hope you enjoy shooting your Model 15-9 as much as I enjoy shooting mine.

If you want your ticker to really go pitty pat, take a look at ACORN's prospective purchase here.

 

[brownie0486]

Let me know what you think after you shoot it!

It may become a safe queen. My main purpose in purchasing this one was the McGivern plate describing his record.

I'm a guy that really appreciates the old Smith & Wesson guns, and I'm an avid accumulator of the .38 special ones, along with some J and N frames tossed in.

I've been sticking these old Smith revos away quite regularly in the last year in the same vain. The N frames are superb shooters as well as the model 17's [ a 17-3 being used for ariel practice regularly ].

Now I'm on the hunt for the M+P's in the serial number range of 640xxx or earlier.

Brownie

 

[brownie0486]

Got the 15-9 McGivern yesterday.

I think it's a great gun and I'm happy I secured it.

Brownie

 

[GUNKWAZY]

Hey Brownie,
What are you doin' on this side of the fence ?
Nice find by the way.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[BigG]

Those are great guns, congratulations!

 

[brownie0486]

GUNKWAZY,

Howdy, I hop the fence here more than any other site but my own

BigG,

I'm really enjoying the hunt for these older smiths lately. Jim Music [ a member here ] came out last yeat and taught me ariel shooting. Told me to grab a 6" 17 for this and I've been hooked ever since on them.

Brownie

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Dave,

Nice piece. If you ever decide to sell it, let me have first choice if you would. That would be right in line with the years McGivern was shooting up a storm.

Brownie

I don't sell or trade off my S&W wheelguns. I bought that the day before my 30th birthday as my present to myself and due to its age and condition it's mostly a safe queen. I'm debating on whether or not to be buried with it.

 

[Gator]

Xavier's 15-9 has a MIM hammer (firing pin mounted on the frame) and most probably a MIM trigger as well...its still a darn fine revolver!

I sure wish I had got one of the .44 Spls from CDNN :banghead:

 

[brownie0486]

Dave Markowitz,

It's a nice piece to be sure.

Gator,

You may be correct, the people who live and breath the Smith revos on the Smith forum say otherwise and thats the information I was going on. I like my 15-9 a lot.

Brownie

 

[XavierBreath]

Gator,
On retrospect, I'm thinkin' I'm incorrect about the MIM. MIM S&W triggers are rather hollow on the reverse. The Model 15-9's trigger is not. It could easily have been another gun I was thinking of. The Model 15-9 does have a frame mounted FP though.

Cheers,
XB