Offered here is an incredibly rare example of the Model 1950 Army revolver featuring factory special order deluxe ultra bright blue finish originally ordered by the first owner, drug store magnate Ray Shapero of Detroit, Michigan. Matching serial number on the butt, barrel, cylinder and right grip panel. The assembly number "3679" is stamped on the yoke and crane. It has magna grips and standard fixed sights. Comes with the original maroon factory box numbered to the gun and hand marked "Bright" for the finish on the bottom, two moon clips and the "Helpful Hints" pamphlet. The box also has the correct blue end label. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish and checkered walnut grips when it was shipped to Rex Firearms Co. of New York City on January 20, 1953. This revolver was once part of the Ray Shapero collection. Ray Shapero of Detroit, Michigan, had family business ties to Cunningham Drug, America’s first large drugstore chain that began in 1889 and closed in 1991. Shapero was also an avid S&W collector, collecting old and new models in the 1950s. He formed personal relationships with S&W representatives, often ordering directly through the S&W factory. Shapero was attracted to the high luster blue finish and ordered then current production guns, like this revolver, with this special order finish. Accompanying period invoices and correspondence (photocopies) clearly document Shapero’s passion for S&W firearms and his relationship with the company. In these documents you will find Shapero’s guns listed by serial number, which includes this revolver. Later Robert Petersen collection records indicate that Robert "Bob" Petersen purchased the entire Ray Shapero collection in the 1960s. Robert Petersen of Los Angeles, California, started "Hot Rod," a magazine for car enthusiasts, and built Petersen Publishing. When he sold his publishing empire in 1996, Petersen Publishing printed 39 monthly periodicals which included such notables as "Hot Rod," "Guns & Ammo," "Sports Afield," and "Motor Trend." His lifelong collection of 425 firearms was donated to the National Firearms Museum after his death. This impressive and broad collection of rare and historic arms fills the permanent 2,000 square foot Petersen Gallery that was opened to the public in the fall of 2010 at the NRA Museum. Although the Petersen Gallery showcases a diverse collection, there is one common theme: highest quality. In fact, the Petersen Gallery is considered to be one of the finest sporting arms collections in the world. Very few guns from Petersen's collection have made it to private hands. Provenance: Ray Shapero, Robert Petersen, Ray Cheely and Chad Gripp collections.

Near new showing a light cylinder drag line. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with a patch of discoloration on top of the lid and limited wear. Nearly all of the end label remains.