When one looks at the entries in the Shipping Ledgers, it is very easy to overlook guns that may have a significant history.
The Shipping Ledgers have, at different times, recorded different fields of information. As part of my NOVEMBERFRAME and MAGOPUS projects, I’m working right now in the pre-war N-frame revolver records.
During this era, the following information was recorded in the shipping ledgers:
- Serial Number
- Case Number
- Model (although this was often omitted)
- Ship Date
- Destination – Name
- Destination – City
- Destination – State
- Reg. Number if the gun was a Magnum (usually)
This is the basic information on a revolver, and while it does provide essential information, it is, by my standards, more of a starting point than a final destination.
For example, let us look at RM1543/48663.
Shipping Ledger (R18/279) shows that N-frame revolver #48663, case number 7494, was a .357 Magnum revolver (indicated by ditto marks from entries above the subject one) and assigned Registration Number #1543 and on November 5, 1936 was shipped to R.T. Serrano Jr. in Guatemala.
On the face of it, this seems like an unremarkable gun. Export guns are always a little bit interesting and a shipment to Guatemala is a little uncommon but not unheard of.
I decided to pull up the Shipping Invoice (R85/603) to see what other details could be gleaned and whether this gun might be worthy of further exploration.
A vast majority of the time, such inquiries turn up little of note. However, even a blind historian hog turns up a truffle or two.
RM1543 was to be
”…engraved on side plate in gold inlay “El Club de Tiro 10 de Noviembre al General Jorge Ubico”….”
Gold inlay and a General, particularly in Central or South America, is going to trigger the Deep Dive protocol.
I did an overall search of pre-war records for RM1543 and found a 27-page file with quite a bit of information on RM1543/48663. It’s not my intention to go over every page of information (although I would love to) but rather just hit the highlights that detail this marvelous gun and some of the work that goes into getting a Springfield thoroughbred down to Guatemala.
On December 18th, 1935, Mr. Serrano of Guatemala contacted Smith & Wesson about ordering a Magnum. The initial inquiry does not appear to have been saved in the archives, but the factory response from January 2, 1936 was.
The response is pretty typical for that era to an inquiry regarding the Magnum. It is interesting to note that the price quoted, $35.45, is well below the published retail price of $60 and even lower than some conventional dealer prices. I did some checking and Serrano had ordered guns from S&W before, so they may have recognized him as trade and, combined with a desire to get the Magnum introduced to foreign markets, quoted him a better than average price.
Nothing further appears regarding this matter until a flurry of activity in September 1936 when a letter date September 2, 1936 arrives from Mr Serrano stating that:
“…The “Club de Tiro 10 de Noviembre” of this city have decided to purchase one of these revolvers to present to the President of the Republic…”
“Length of barrel 3 ½ inches.
Front sight The McGivern
Rear sight corresponding to front sight.
Sighted in at 25 metres with .357 Magnum ammunition
With the recommended dead centre hold and
Magna stocks
The revolver is required with the following inscription in gold to be placed and inscribed in the most pleasing manner, which is left to your discretion, with the following:-
El Club de Tiro 10 de Noviembre
Al General Jorge Ubico
The revolver is to be sent in a nice presentation case pleasingly lined.”
So now we have learned that the gun is for the President of Guatemala, who was General Jorge Ubico.
Presidente General Ubico seems to have had the typical South and Central American political career, with the exception that he died in 1946 in exile in a Louisiana hospital rather than propping up a wall in front of a firing squad like so many of his geographical peers.
The notations on the letter of 9/2/36 are rather interesting. These notations suggest that the engraving was done by well-known engraver J. Kornbrath of Hartford, CT. If so, this would be right towards the end of Kornbrath’s career, as he suffered a debilitating stroke in 1937. Note the count of letters to be engraved is 44 and Mr. Kornbrath would charge eighty cents per letter!
Another notation states that a Morocco case could be obtained for $15. In addition to the case, 500 rounds of ammunition were to be included.
The factory response of September 15, 1936 is surprisingly terse given that this gun is supposed to be going to a head of state. There is some amusement in seeing that the engraving cost has been increased while the Morocco case price stays at what was originally estimated. The price of 500 rounds of ammunition is set at $35/M.
The same day an order is put together for the gun and all it’s particulars. There is quite a bit more notation on this order than most others and this can largely be attributed to the engraving and delivery issues that accompany an overseas order.
Again, we learn much from the hand notations that accompany some of these documents. On the Magnum order form, also dated September 15, 1936 we note that the placement of the inscription on the side plate was per DBW. Also, the Moroccan case was similarly handled by DBW. The notation at the bottom of the page about the gun being needed by a certain date is uncommon, but not unheard of in certain instances.
The cost of the engraving, case, ammo, etc. added $73.70 to the cost of the gun, almost tripling it! Oddly, I can not make the engraving math shown on the order form work.
Further correspondence between Mr. Serrano and S&W (not shown here) confirmed the features and accessories and made payment.
In a letter from Mr. Serrano to S&W he confirms payment as well as licensure issues and makes a very clear point that:
“…Presentation will be made to the President on his birthday, the 10th of November…”
There is various correspondence afterwards regarding shipping, with great concern that the gun arrive in time. It seems the gun was shipped around November second or third by airmail through a NY export outfit. Nothing further was found other than, through an oversight, the ammunition was not shipped with the gun and did not reach El Presidente until February 1937.
There is a follow-up note from DBW to Serrano where he hopes that all went well with the presentation. In the note, DBW apologies for the configuration of the pistol case; the fitters built it so that the side of the gun with the engraving was face-down!
I don’t know where this gun is today. My experience has been that overseas Magnums seldom come back, but anything is possible.
This little story is an excellent reason to always try for a Deep Dive when there is anything that makes you think “hmmmm….maybe this one”. You never know what you’ll find!
Stuff like this never would have seen the light of day if it were not for the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation. The SWHF runs on its membership; are you a member?
Best,
RM Vivas
18JUN26
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