This is an excellent example of a very rare Smith & Wesson Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight revolver with the super scarce 3 inch barrel. This revolver was previously owned by Col. Charles Baron (later Brigadier General) and is so engraved on the right side of the receiver; "COL. CHARLES BARON, USA 0383316". Col. Baron's service record indicates that he entered military service in Nov. 1938 and was placed on active duty from March 1941 through Jan. 1946. He continued his military career in various National Guard positions until retiring in Oct. 1967. His active duty decorations and awards include the Bronze Star, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 5 Service Stars, American Defense Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, WWII Victory Ribbon, and Army Occupation Medal Ribbon. While in the ARNG he served primarily at the HHD in Springfield, Illinois. Baron was connected with the mob and was on the IRS's list of 42 powerful mobsters. This specific revolver is an early model with alloy frame and steel cylinder with the very rare all nickel plated finish. It is fitted with the very rare 3 inch barrel that is marked on the right side "AIRWEIGHT / 38 SPL. CTG.", with the standard S&W markings on the frame. It has the serrated ramp front sight with notch frame rear sight with the color casehardened trigger and shrouded hammer. It is fitted with S&W checkered walnut grips with S&W medallions. The following further information on Charles Baron is found on Wikipedia: Charles "Babe" Baron was reportedly an organized crime figure in Chicago, Illinois. He owned a successful Chicago new car dealership, Charles Baron FORD, as well as holding the rank of Brigadier-General in the U. S. Army and Illinois National Guard. In the 1920’s and 1930’s he was involved in illegal gambling as a handbook operator for the Chicago Outfit and served as a protégé to Democratic Party ward boss Jacob Arvey. Baron was an associate of Meyer Lansky. Baron was twice arrested for murder, including that of bootlegger James Walsh, whom he shot and killed following a prize fight in 1929, and of North Side Gang financier 'Smiling' Gus Winkler, on October 9, 1933. Baron was identified as an associate of John Roselli during the Kefauver Hearings, in the 1950s. According to Jack Ruby and Baron associate Tony Zoppi, Baron was a friend of U.S. Air Force General Curtis LeMay. A former general manager of the Havana Riviera in pre-revolutionary Cuba, Baron was one of the first to be granted a gaming license by the Gaming Control Act, in 1960, and later served as the official greeter of the Sands Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas.

Excellent overall with 98% plus original nickel finish. Revolver displays some light handling marks, and very faint surface scratches. The grips are excellent, with crisp checkering and minimal handling marks. Mechanically excellent.