Manufactured in 1940, this Colt National Match pistol was carried by legendary Henderson County, Texas sheriff, Jess Sweeten. The included 1975 dated affidavit signed by Sweeten lists the pistol by serial number and states that he was carrying during a gunfight in his career that he describes as: "I was in a gun battle with a Fort Worth burglar in 1940. He was using a 38 Special and I was using this gun at fifty yards. A bullet from this gun hit him in the neck and killed him instantly. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to Cullum & Boren Company in Dallas, Texas on 29 June 1940 along with the matching Colt National Match pistol in the previous lot. The pistol has standard markings and features apart from the grips, which are floral engraved, silver plated, and mounted with rose gold flowers, a 32nd degree Mason's emblem and a "JESS SWEETEN" marked banner on the left, and a horse's head on the right.

Fine, retains 90% plus of the period replated chrome finish with some scattered light handling marks throughout, typical of a duty weapon belonging to a Texas sheriff. The period upgraded grips are very fine showing an attractively aged patina overall and minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. A true, documented piece of Texas law enforcement history!