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“ZERO SERIES” CLUB GUN SERIAL NUMBER 0339A
LOT 565
Desirable Zero Serial Number “Club
Gun” Smith & Wesson Straight Line
Target Single Shot Pistol with Factory
Metal Case and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 0339A, 22 LR cal., 10 inch solid rib
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured from 1925 until 1936. This particular pistol bears a
zero prefix serial number which is indicative of what is known in the S&W field as a “Club Gun”. S&W
assembled firearms specifically for prizes and gifts to notable shooters of their day. Many of these
purpose built guns were sent to shooting clubs to be presented to the winners of matches, hence
the name “Club Gun”. It is speculated that across the whole of S&W production only some 750 guns
were made for these purposes according to Nahas and Supica on page 336 of the “Standard Catalog
of Smith & Wesson”, of these 750, some 50 were made especially for the Wesson family. The zero
prefix serial number matches on the frame and barrel as well as the visible internal components, the
grips are numbered to another gun. Includes the original factory blued metal case, cleaning rod, and
screwdriver. The included factory letter states records are unavailable for this pistol but consecutive serial number 0338 listed as a .22 Single Shot shipped on May 11, 1926.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 97% original blue finish. There are a few small spots of spotting with an area on the barrel showing some pitting. The wood is also excellent with a few minor scratches. The case exterior is excellent and the interior is very good with some staining. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 566
Documented Individual Shipped Zero Prefix Serial Number 012
“Club Gun” Smith & Wesson First Model Target Single Shot Pistol with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 012, 22 LR cal., 10 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard
rubber grips. This particular pistol bears a zero prefix serial number (012) which is indicative
of what is known in the S&W field as a “Club Gun”. S&W assembled firearms
specifically for prizes and gifts to notable shooters of their day. Many of these
purpose built guns were sent to shooting clubs to be presented to the winners
of matches, hence the name “Club Gun”. It is speculated that across the whole of
S&W production only some 750 guns were made for these purposes according
to Nahas and Supica on page 336 of the “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson”, of
these 750, some 50 were made especially for the Wesson family. The accompanying factory
letter confirms the zero prefix serial, 10 inch barrel in .22 caliber, blue finish and black hard
rubber target stocks. The pistol was shipped on June 12, 1899 and delivered to Walter Alvord
of Springfield, MA. At this time no additional information related to Mr. Alvord has been
discovered but he is likely a descendant of William E. Alvord who was a S&W superintendent.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% plus original blue finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance, a number of handling marks and light grind marks ahead of the front sight. Patterns of original case colors remain on the trigger guard, and 90% original case colors remain on the hammer. The grips are very good with a chip at the top (left panel), minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically needs adjustment; the trigger spring is out of order and the hammer fails to hold at full cock. An example of a very scarce documented zero prefix serialized “club gun” missing from even the most advanced collections.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
LOT 567
Smith & Wesson Third Model Single Shot Pistol with Roper Grips - Serial no.
9171, 22 LR cal., 10 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured from
1909 to 1923. Standard markings and features other than the Roper grips.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue finish on the frame, minor
handling evidence, and reblued unnumbered barrel with a plum coloration on the ejector.
The grips are very fine with some high edge wear, a few dings, a chip in the front of the right panel, and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
380
LOT 568
Rare Inscribed Zero Serial
Number “Club Gun” Smith &
Wesson .44 Hand Ejector First Model Triple Lock
Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 0444, 44 S&W
special cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. S&W Zero
prefix serial numbered guns, such as this revolver, were
referred to as “Club Guns” as many were shipped to
clubs for shooting prizes and to notable shooters and
S&W company personnel. The left side of the frame is
inscribed “JOSEPH E. RHODES/JAN-12-1921.” At the time
of this writing, Joseph E. Rhodes remains unidentified.
The inclusion of a date in the inscription suggests that
this revolver was a shooting prize. Right grip panel
numbered to a different gun. Matching serial numbers on the
butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% original blue finish
with thinning to brown on the balance along with muzzle
and high edge wear. 95% original case colors remain on
the hammer and trigger. The grips are excellent with some
scattered minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,500
LOT 569
Smith & Wesson
Second Model
Single Shot Pistol - Serial no. 18777, 22 LR cal., 10 inch solid rib
bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured between 1905 and
1909. Standard features. Matching serial number on the front strap, barrel, and
barrel latch. Serial number is outside the known range for the model.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% plus original blue, mild handling evidence, and scattered areas of thinning and spotting. The grips are very good having faded to brown with well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 570
Smith & Wesson
Second Model Single Shot Pistol - Serial no. 2853, 22 LR cal.,
10 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured
between 1905 and 1909. Standard markings and features including
matching serial numbers on the barrel latch, barrel, and front strap. Consignor
states that this gun is from the collection of David Burghoff, a long noted S&W
collector who passed away in 2019.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original blue finish, minor handling evidence, and some light spotting on the front strap. The grips are very fine with a few minor marks, greenish hue, and worn but well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 571
Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector Fourth Model Target Pre-Model
24 Double Action Revolver with
Gold Box - Serial no. S107295, 44 S&W special cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1954/55. Standard markings and features including matching serial numbers
on the barrel, cylinder, and butt. Includes
numbered on the underside and containing a “Helpful Hints” brochure.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 99% original blue finish, limited handling evidence, and faint cylinder drag lines. The grips are very fine with a small chip at the base of the rear grip strap and sharp checkering. The box is fine with mild edge wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
“ZERO SERIES” CLUB GUN SERIAL NUMBER 012
the original factory Gold Box correctly hand