This is just an exceptional example of a beautiful factory engraved Pre-Model 34 revolver with carved ivory grips. This revolver was noted by the consignor to have been engraved by factory engraver Russell Smith for the then S&W employee Charlie McGowan. The class (roughly) A coverage on the cylinder, barrel and 5-screw frame is seldom seen on the 1950's era S&W revolvers. The revolver is beautifully engraved in a deep relief Germanic oak-leaf and vine pattern with (heavy coverage), of a light punch-dot or etched background with gold and platinum inlays. The inlays consist of a large raised relief American Eagle on the right side of the frame that has a gold body with a platinum head to give it a contrasting look. The other inlays are platinum acorn clusters hanging from the vines around the oak leaves and a gold insert in the front sight ramp. The revolver has 'A' coverage (approximately 75% ) that covers both sides of the barrel, both sides of the frame, down the back strap, the areas between the flutes on the cylinder and the underside of the trigger guard. The back strap is also engraved with the initials 'CBM', which would be consistent with Charles B. McGowan. The grips are also nicely carved or scrimshawed in a similar Germanic oak-leaf pattern that has the background filled to give it a contrasting look. The revolver itself is just a super early example of a pre-mod 34 kit gun built on the 22/32, J frame revolver. The serial number is very early, being only three digits. The right side of the barrel is correctly marked '.22 L.R. CTG.' with the small S&W logo on the left side of the frame and the standard four line S&W address markings on the right side. The revolver has another super rare feature in that it has the factory two-tone finish of all blue metal parts except for the cylinder and ejector pin being nickel plated. Included is an extra matching numbered fitted aluminum alloy, nickel plated cylinder. An extra matching serial numbered cylinder is rarely encountered with any Smith & Wesson revolver, even more so an alloy cylinder in nickel finish.

Near new, with only slight handling marks and a light drag line on the cylinder. The grips are excellent with some hairline age cracks on the bottoms. Just a super nice example of a very rare factory engraved, pre-model 34 revolver with an extremely rare extra matching nickel alloy cylinder.