Description
This isn’t just another Smith & Wesson snub-nose revolver. It’s a piece of American Cold War history. What you’re looking at is a personal Smith & Wesson Model 37 Airweight Chief’s Special, serial number 156820 — a compact .38 Special revolver that once rode quietly under the arm of FBI Special Agent Joseph J. Palguta, a man who served directly under the shadow of J. Edgar Hoover.
Made around 1959, this revolver has all the classic charm you’d expect from a first-generation Model 37. It features a 1 7/8-inch pinned barrel with a serrated ramp front sight and a clean, frame-notched rear. The barrel and cylinder are blued and number-matched to the gun’s black alloy J-frame, which is fitted with diamond-center checkered walnut Magna grips — silver medallions and all. The original black plastic grip adaptor is still in place, too, just as Palguta likely carried it.
But here’s where it really gets interesting.
Agent Palguta wasn’t just a career lawman; he was on the front lines of history. He tracked and apprehended Nelson Cornelius Drummond — a Cold War-era spy you probably haven’t heard about, but should — and earned high-level commendations for his involvement in the Julius and Ethel Rosenberg espionage case. That’s right, the Rosenbergs. And yes, the revolver in your hands comes straight from that era and those moments.
Included in this incredible package:
- The original 1959 bill of sale — yes, seriously.
- Both a Bianchi shoulder holster and a belt-loop holster.
- Nickel Model 90 S&W handcuffs.
- Personal mementos and keepsakes from Palguta’s career.
- Framed photos signed by both J. Edgar Hoover and Clarence Kelley.
- Several recognition letters acknowledging Palguta’s FBI service.
And the revolver itself? It’s in excellent condition, showing only light wear on the grips and trigger. It also comes housed in a near-mint blue two-piece box with reinforced corners, the original NOX-RUST wrapper, and an untouched warranty card.
In short, this isn’t just a revolver — it’s the kind of historically documented, deeply personal sidearm that tells a bigger story. A story of spies, secrets, and the quiet strength of the men who carried these weapons through turbulent times.
You don’t just collect this revolver — you preserve a legacy.
