Offered here is a historic S&W Model 38 revolver presented by the FBI to U.S. Marine Corps General Leonard F. Chapman Jr. The revolver is fitted with a Pachmayr grip adaptor and S&W medallion checkered grips with the right panel numbered to gun. The presentation inscription is featured on the side plate: “To General/Leonard F. Chapman Jr./Commandant,/United States Marine Corps/From his FBI Friends." Comes with the original box numbered to the gun, Speedwell target showing 5 shots in the center black marked "50'/Bench rest/1-2-68", cleaning rod with brush attachment and Berns-Martin of Quantico, VA, leather shoulder holster. The revolver will factory letter as being shipped on December 28, 1967, to Special Agent Henry Sloan, Quantico, Virginia. Included is a carbon file copy of a “Memorandum to File” type written by Lt. Col. John A. Kinniburgh, personal aide to General Leonard F. Chapman, that reads, “Subject Smith and Weston (sic.) Pistol, Serial No.512957” followed by “1. On 4 April 1968, J Edgar Hoover presented to the Commandant of the Marine Corps a Smith & Weston (sic.) 38 two-inch barrel engraved, Serial No. 512957. J A Kinniburgh". General Leonard F. Chapman Jr. (1913-2000) was a World War II combat veteran decorated for his action in the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa and served as the Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1968 to 1972 as well as the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service after retiring from the Marine Corps as a four star general with 37 years of service. As a young officer at the outbreak of World War II Chapman participated in the early Pacific Theater raids before returning to the U.S. in mid-1942 to teach artillery courses at the Marine Corps Schools in Quantico. In mid-1944 he returned to the combat zone with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific area. For his remarkable service he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” for meritorious service as an operations officer during combat operations at Peleliu from September to October 1944 and the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” as 4th Battalion Commander at Okinawa from April to July 1945. During the post-war years the general held various command positions before he was nominated by President Lyndon Jonson and confirmed by the Senate to be the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps, a position he held from January 1, 1968, to January 1, 1972. As commandant he witnessed America’s escalation as well as withdrawal from Vietnam and guided the USMC through the social and racial unrest of the period. From 1972 to 1977 he served as the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and devoted himself to curbing illegal immigration. Here is a complete list of General Chapman’s decorations: three awards of the Distinguished Service Medal; two awards of the Legion of Merit, one with Combat “V;” the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V;” the Navy Commendation Ribbon with Combat “V”; two Presidential Unit Citations; the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Meal with one silver star in lieu of five bronze stars; the American Campaign Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal; the Korean Order of National Security Merit, First Class; the Vietnam National Order, 2nd Class; and the United Nations Service Medal. Without a doubt General Chapman rubbed shoulders with the highest U.S. government officials, including FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. On May 8, 1969, Chapman joined Hoover at the formal dedication of the “J. Edgar Hoover Road” that led to the FBI Academy entrance. This event was held about one year after Kinniburgh states Hoover presented this S&W to Chapman. Perhaps this revolver was a congratulatory gift to Chapman at the time he was appointed Commandant of the Marine Corps that occurred a few months prior to the presentation. Special Agent Henry Sloan, the recipient of this revolver listed in S&W records, was a firearms instructor at the FBI Academy at Quantico until becoming the agent in charge of training from 1942 to 1971. Chapman, throughout his career, was stationed at Quantico and Washington, D.C., two cities that also had a large FBI presence. It would not be difficult to imagine Chapman forming many friendships with members of the FBI. Later, as Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Chapman dealt directly with other U.S. Department officials such as the director of the FBI. At the time of Hoover’s death in May 1972, Chapman was just beginning to settle in his new position at the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original blue and anodized finishes with a faint cylinder drag line, limited handling marks and crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster and box are both fine showing typical wear associated with age. An outstanding FBI presentation revolver gifted by legendary and controversial Bureau Director J. Edgar Hoover to, as one fellow Marine put it, a man who “epitomized everything it means to be called a Marine,” General Leonard F. Chapman Jr.