POTD: The King was a Gun Guy- Elvis Presley’s S&W Model 39-2
Sam.S 09.07.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a Smith and Wesson Model 39-2 that was owned by the King himself. Turns out the King of Rock ‘n Roll loved his firearms too! Elvis kept a pistol on him at all times and even slept with one under his pillow. He owned around 30-40 guns total, including engraved pearl-handled revolvers that matched his flashy style. Elvis especially loved Colt revolvers and gave a commemorative Colt .45 to President Nixon when they met in 1970. His favorite was a little .38 Special he kept loaded in case anyone messed with his car. Though he died at 42, Elvis’ legendary voice and gun collection remain iconic.
“The included letter from Charlotte, North Carolina, police officer Howard C. Dozier states he presented this pistol, which is identified by serial number, to music legend Elvis Presley on March 10, 1974 at the Sheraton Hotel in Charlotte after a concert. Elvis later gave the pistol and accompanying holster to his bodyguard and friend Sonny West in 1974, as proclaimed by West himself in two included letters. The first letter identifies the pistol, and the second letter identifies the brown leather Bianchi shoulder holster. Finally, there are three photos of Elvis and “The Memphis Mafia” autographed by West and one photo of West holding this pistol. All documents and photos are mounted and matted. Sonny West was part of Elvis’ entourage, better known as “The Memphis Mafia,” that served and protected Elvis from 1954 until his death in 1977. Well known for his hit music spanning multiple genres such as rock & roll, country, gospel and blues and coming of age teen movies, Elvis Presley, simply known as The King, is the quintessential American cultural icon who even after 40 plus years after his death retains an enormous international fan base. Since the release of his debut studio album “Elvis Presley” in 1956, demand for personal effects from The King of Rock & Roll continues to dominate the pop cultural memorabilia market. In his personal life Elvis had a well-documented interest in firearms. When he died in 1977, The King was reported to own 37 firearms, including one machine gun.”
Lot 1785: Elvis Presley’s Smith & Wesson Model 39-2 Pistol, Holster – Documented King of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley’s Smith & Wesson Model 39-2 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster. (n.d.-m). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/77/1785/elvis-presleys-smith-wesson-model-392-pistol-holster.
