Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 235

Lot 235:Rare S&W Model 1950 Army Revolver with Box

December 1st, 2017|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 235

Lot 235:Rare S&W Model 1950 Army Revolver with Box

December 1st, 2017|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$5,500 - $7,500
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Exceptional Rare Bright Blue Finish Smith & Wesson .45 Hand Ejector Model 1950 Army Double Action Revolver with Box and Factory Letter

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.

ConditionNear 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.
Details
ManufacturerSmith & Wesson
Model1950
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Handgun
Caliber / Gauge45 ACP
Barrel5 1/2 inch round
Finishblue
Gripwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views7290
Catalog page107
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 1529Smith & Wesson .45 Hand Ejector Model of 1950 Target Revolver
View Lot
Lot 785Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector Third Model Revolver with Box
View Lot
Lot 231Desirable Nickel Finish Smith & Wesson Model 14-3 Revolver
View Lot
Lot 1532Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector Second Model Target Revolver
View Lot
Show More