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Outstanding Historic Major General Julian S. Hatcher Shipped Scarce "Pre-War/Post-War" Variation Col

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Outstanding Historic Major General Julian S. Hatcher Shipped Scarce  Pre-War/Post-War  Variation Col
The included Colt factory letter confirms the serial number, caliber, barrel length, and blue finish with the type of stocks not listed. The letter states that the revolver was shipped to Major General Julian S. Hatcher (ret.), Director Technical Service, National Rifle Association, Washington D.C., on September 7, 1948. Julian Sommerville Hatcher (June 26, 1888-December 4, 1963) was a noted firearms expert and author, and is credited with several technical books and articles relating to military firearms, ballistics, and auto loading weapons. His premier works are "Hatcher's Notebook" and "Book of the Garand", along with "Textbook of Pistols and Revolvers" and "Pistols and Revolvers and Their Uses". He was also a pioneer in the forensic identification of firearms and their ammunition and served as Technical Editor of the National Rifle Association's "American Rifleman" magazine. Hatcher retired from the United States Army as a Major General and saw action during the Punitive Expedition against the bandit Pancho Villa, set up the Army's first machine gun school, and was instrumental in developing a solution to the vexing problem of brittle metal in early Model 1903 rifle receivers. This revolver has standard markings, smooth two piece ivory grips with Colt medallions. Casehardened frame, polished hammer sides and remaining parts blue. Matching serial number on the frame underside and on the right side of the grip straps under the grip, with the assembly number "72" on the loading gate. Also, the cylinder has the matching last two digits ("21") stamped on the rear face.
BBL: 5 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: 357321
Condition: Excellent. The revolver retains 99% plus of the original blue finish with some minor scratches (mostly on the cylinder) and a faint cylinder drag line. The frame also retains 99% of the vivid original case colors with some scattered minor scratches. The later replacement grips are near mint with the exception of hairline age cracking on the bottoms. The ivory has an attractive aged color.