I was just watching American Rifleman on TV, and the episode was devoted to the S&W M1917. The curator of the National Firearms Museum was telling a story about how an elderly man came to visit the museum in 1989. He had a paper bag filled with signed S&W manuals to donate. The curator asked him where he got them from. He said, "I'm Capt Wesson." (Yes... of THAT Wesson family.)
He said there was also a revolver in the bag. There wasn't. So the curator drove him back to where he was staying, and they found the revolver. Capt Wesson gave him a revolver for the museum to keep. It was a M1917 in pristine condition. It turned out that Capt Wesson was a USNA grad. The revolver was engraved with his name and graduation year ('35), and the USNA seal was on the other side of the frame. It was a gift to him on his graduation.
I'm not sure if this story is well-known or not, but I sure never heard it before. I find these stories fascinating. I love the direct connection to history. I was able to find a few pics on-line.
He said there was also a revolver in the bag. There wasn't. So the curator drove him back to where he was staying, and they found the revolver. Capt Wesson gave him a revolver for the museum to keep. It was a M1917 in pristine condition. It turned out that Capt Wesson was a USNA grad. The revolver was engraved with his name and graduation year ('35), and the USNA seal was on the other side of the frame. It was a gift to him on his graduation.
I'm not sure if this story is well-known or not, but I sure never heard it before. I find these stories fascinating. I love the direct connection to history. I was able to find a few pics on-line.
