FRANK "BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE" BUCK - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 02/26/1946 - HFSID 175237

FRANK BUCK
Frank Buck sends a typed letter to Mr. David H. Murray, sale manager of Smith & Wesson that he is sending the required paperwork to receive the ".357 Magnum" for his trip included is an unsigned corresponding letter.
Typed Letter Signed: "Frank Buck", 1p, 8½x11 personal letterhead. New York, New York, 1946 February 26. To Mr. David H. Murray, Sales Manager, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts. In full: "I did not get back to New York as early as I had expected and this is my first opportunity to send you a letter since writing you from Jacksonville. I am attaching herewith the forms (not included) that you sent with your letter of January 4th. I was very pleased indeed when your letter came sating that you are going to present me with one of the '.357 Magnums'. I have not yet definitely settled on the time of my departure for Singapore but hope to get away about the end of April or early May, depending on when civilian planes start making the trip from San Francisco to Singapore. This date is by no means sure so it may possibly be considerably later than that. Do you think you might have the new guns ready for release around that time? Thanking you again for kindness and with best wishes, I am, Yours sincerely," Fold creases through signature. Staple holes at upper left corner. Otherwise, fine condition. Included is the retained unsigned carbon copies of the letter sent to Frank Buck dated 1946 January 4 from David H. Murray, Sales Manager of Smith & Wesson, Inc., 8½x11. In full: "We're extremely sorry we haven't been able to acknowledge your very interesting letter of November 16th sooner, but since the end of the war we have been flooded with a tremendous volume of inquires, and hope you will excuse the delay. In any case, we are glad to hear you would like to take a '357' Magnum on your next expedition, and though we're afraid it's still going to be several months before we can get the Magnum into production, if you will give us the exact specification of the gun you want, we'd be very honored to present you with one of the first Magnums that comes off the line. This model can be made in any barrel length from 3½" to 8 3/8", and for long-range shooting the 8 3/8' gun has many advantages. However, the most popular lengths are 6-6½", and for all-round shooting, appearance and balance we'd recommend a 6½" gun with blue finish, Magna stocks, McGivern Gold Bead front sight mounted on a King Reflector Ramp, and a matching deep U-notch rear sight slide. We regret that we cannot be more optimistic on the possibilities of producing a Magnum in the immediate future, but hope we will be able to put one up before you leave on your trip, and will wait further word from you. Sincerely yours" ¾x¼ paper loss at upper left corner. Fine condition. Frank Buck (1884-1950), hunter, author and filmmaker, made his first expedition to South America in 1911. He eventually traveled to Malaya, India, Borneo, New Guinea and Africa. From these and other expeditions he brought back many exotic species that he sold to zoos and circuses, ultimately acquiring the nickname "Bring 'em Back Alive". Two items.