The accompanying factory letter lists this factory presentation Pre-Model 27 as shipped on May 16, 1950 and delivered to Sasha Siemel of Green Lane, Pennsylvania. The factory letter also states that the revolver was shipped on an advertising account at no charge and was a presentation from S&W President C.R. Hellstrom to "an old friend to the S&W Company," Sasha Siemel. The revolver left the factory with an 8 3/8 inch barrel, blue finish, checkered walnut grips and inscribed "Sasha Siemel." The gold plating, exhibition-grade engraving and carved grips were done after the revolver left the factory, by the noted German engraver, Seigfried Werner, who also had a close relationship with Carl Hellstrom and members of the Wesson family, he is known to have engraved several important S&W revolvers in the 1950's period. Included with the factory letter is a copy of the original May 16, 1950 S&W invoice for the revolver which confirms "[t]his is a presentation from Mr. Hellstrom and should be shipped on a no charge basis" and was for Sasha Siemel. The revolver features a near full coverage relief engraved oak leaf and acorn pattern. Amongst the foliage pattern are three panel scenes depicting a jaguar. These jaguars are located on both sides of the barrel at the breech and on the right side of the frame under the cylinder latch. As noted in the factory letter, the side plate is inscribed "Sasha Siemel" in script. Adjustable square notch rear sight and orange insert blade front on an engraved ramp base. The target grips feature a matching carved oak and acorn motif with inlaid silver medallions with Siemel's initials: "SAS." Matching serial numbers are on the butt, ejector shroud and cylinder. Adventurer Alexander “Sasha” Siemel (1890-1970) was a professional big game hunter, photographer, writer and even actor, portraying Tiger Van Dorn in the 1937 fifteen-episode serial “Jungle Menace”, which was later turned into the 1946 feature film "Jungle Terror." He is best known for hunting jaguars in South America. Hence, the jaguar panel scenes engraved on the revolver, a fitting tribute to a man who mostly hunted jaguars armed with only a spear. “I kill tigers by letting them jump on my spear,” explained Siemel in an included article he wrote for the November 1961 issue of Boys’ Life. “As far as I know, I am the only white man who hunts the South American tiger, the jaguar, with primitive weapons. If the animal takes to a tree, I use bow and arrow; if my dogs bring him to bay on the ground, I let him charge at me and impale himself on my seven-foot spear…I prefer a spear to a gun. For when I confront a 350-pound tiger in thick underbrush, I feel more nearly his equal with a spear in my hand.” Siemel is credited for hunting more than 300 jaguars, the largest cat in the western hemisphere. His writings were published in some of the period's most popular magazines such as National Geographic, Argosy, Colliers, Field and Stream, LIFE, Outdoor Life, Reader's Digest, and Time. In 1963 he opened the Sasha Siemel Museum in Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, which displayed his trophy collection. The museum closed in 1969. An accompanying Siemel signed photo, circa 1936, shows Siemel with a jaguar trophy and his famed spear. In the photograph Siemel is clearly holding a period S&W .357 Magnum revolver in his right hand, confirming that he was no stranger to S&W revolvers. It is known that factory records document a .357 Registered Magnum being shipped to him shortly after the model's introduction. An included handwritten November 1994 letter from previous owner and noted collector, author, outdoorsman and raconteur Walter O'Connor, to his friend, famed firearms dealer and author Norman Flayderman, discusses that he obtained this revolver from an auction held in November 1993 by Alderfer Auction Company (copy of catalog included) that sold a large portion of firearms owned by Siemel. Also included are numerous photos of Seimel with jaguars taken on various hunts, a number of articles on his life and exploits from publications such as LIFE Magazine and other popular periodicals of the day, as well as a full article on his young son's hunting training and adventures. Provenance: Sasha Siemel, Walter O'Connor Collection.

Exceptionally fine overall as factory inscribed/presented and subsequently elaborately exhibition quality embellished for famed jaguar hunter Sasha Siemel. The revolver retains 99% plus of the gold plating showing only the slightest side muzzle wear. The engraving is crisp. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips have minimal minor handling marks and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. This factory presentation revolver will be a welcomed addition to any S&W or big game hunting collection! Just a stunning work of art for famed big game hunter Sasha Siemel!