Offered here is the revolver carried by FBI Special Agent George H. Franklin as confirmed by the included affidavit from his son, a retired USMC major. As explained by the son, this revolver (listed by serial number) “was carried by my father, George H. Franklin, during his service as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). G.H. Franklin served as a Bernalillo County, New Mexico deputy sheriff (1921-22), Albuquerque, New Mexico police officer (1922-32), Bureau of Investigation (pre-FBI, 1932-35), FBI (1935-56), first Director of Public safety, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico (1957-59) and as New Mexico State Liquor Director (1961-65).” Franklin had a long and successful law enforcement career. In the period newspaper article “Demonstration Tonight by G-man with Machine Gun,” Franklin was called out as “one of the nation’s best marksmen.” An 8 x 10 inch photograph of Franklin demonstrating the firepower of a Thompson sub-machine gun is included as well as a photograph taken in a well-stocked armory with Franklin holding a Thompson. Four more photographs of Franklin throughout his law enforcement career are also included. Copies of a Western Union telegram from Senator Bratton’s office and a letter to Congressman Chavez from FBI Director Hoover confirm Franklin was appointed to the position of FBI special agent in 1932 and a letter from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover confirms Franklin retired from the FBI in 1956. A copy of the City of Albuquerque November 22, 1957 memo confirms Franklin was appointed Public Safety Director as well as a local period newspaper article. This newspaper article provided additional details about Franklin’s time with the FBI: “His FBI career included assignment to the kidnapping squad which was involved in the sensation Weyerhaeuser, Mattson and Ursell cases; anti-sabotage and espionage surveys for industrial plants, civilian defense and national security activities. He was also police training and firearms expert with the FBI for many years.” The three cases mentioned in the article were all separate kidnappings that garnered national headlines. These were among the first high profile kidnappings the FBI investigated since the passing of the Lindbergh Law that defined kidnapping as a federal offense. The kidnapping of 9 year old George Weyerhaeuser, son of lumber tycoon J.P. Weyerhaeuser, occurred in 1935 and was resolved successfully after the ransom was paid. The kidnappers were later caught and sentenced to prison. The kidnapping and brutal murder of 10 year old Charles Fletcher Mattson remains unsolved. “Ursell” is likely a misspelling for Charles Frederick Urschel, the business tycoon and kidnap victim of infamous gangster George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Urschel survived the ordeal and greatly assisted the FBI in solving the crime. George Franklin passed away in 1978 and his obituary told of a harrowing FBI raid that nearly killed Franklin: "In the early gangster era of this country, George took part in many dangerous raids. On one such raid George went in close to throw in a tear gas grenade and in the gun battle that ensued George was gunned down by Clarence Sparger, a badly wanted fugitive who was wanted for bank robbery and other Federal crimes.” Agent Franklin's Colt Detective Special revolver is in the previous lot. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on March 22, 1937 (the year has a typo) and delivered to Momsen, Dunnegan & Ryan Co. of El Paso, Texas, with a 2 inch barrel, ramp front sight (in error as front sight is an original factory round blade), blue finish, checkered walnut grips. The revolver was billed at $17.86. The hammer has been bobbed likely by Franklin to meet his personal needs. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and barrel. With a leather S&W “pancake” holster.

Excellent, as a revolver carried by an FBI special agent with nearly 25 years of service with 95% original blue finish remaining, authentic holster type wear, and thinning on the grip straps from years of law enforcement service. 97% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips show similar "working gun" character with well defined checkering. The holster is fine. Mechanically excellent. This FBI special agent carried S&W .38/32 Terrier (pre-war) revolver will make a fine addition to any law enforcement collection.