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LOT 138
Historical Factory Engraved Gold Plated Smith & Wesson 38 Safety Hammerless Second Model Double Action Revolver with Pearl Grips and Documented Factory Letter To The World’s Greatest Revolver Shooter Smith & Wesson Shooter Ira Paine - Serial no. 41034, 38 S&W cal., 3 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., gold finish, pearl grips. Manufactured 1887-1890, this Second Model Safety Hammerless is part of a Special Engraved Edition featuring Type 4 scroll and punch dot engraving on the barrel sides, cylinder flats and frame. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the two
Captain Adam Bogartus,
the legendary late 19th Century shotgun shooter. Although Paine lost most
of the live pigeon shoots, it was never by more than two birds and whenever the two faced off the prize money was usually $1,000, a fortune at the time. With a dueling pistol he
Ira Paine
line address/patent dates, the matching serial number is marked
on the butt and rear face of the cylinder. There is a “crown/GP” and “crown/V” proof mark on the left rear of the barrel and alternating
in each cylinder flute. The revolver is finished in gold with a blue trigger guard and casehardened trigger, and fitted with smooth factory pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter verifies the serial number, special engraved edition, caliber, 3 1/4” barrel, type
4 engraving, gold finish, pearl grips and that it was shipped to Ira Paine of Providence, R.I. on June 24, 1889. The letter also notes the Ira Paine was one of the world’s greatest revolver shooters and shot for Smith & Wesson. Paine also competed in clay pigeon shoots. Ira Paine was born in 1841 in Providence, RI. He became a prominent minstrel after high school and joined a successful quartet, which gained a considerable reputation with Mr. Paine as its vibrant impresario. His large physique, quick wit, theatrical skills and booming voice made him very popular up and down the East Coast. As good as he was on stage, he was even better outside enjoying his other career as an exhibition shooter. He may have been the world’s finest all around shot during his 25 years as a shooting entertainer. He was a deadly shot with a pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun. Some of his most chronicled feats involved his public challenges with
could regularly cut his business card in half from 30 feet when put on its edge. He also used rifles and shotguns with the same accuracy and dexterity. By America’s 1876 Centennial he became so popular that he took his show to Europe where he entertained kings, czars, prime ministers and other famous people. The glass ball target was originally invented by Paine and were used as substitutes for the
live pigeons during most of his shooting exhibitions from circa 1876 to 1886. Paine stuffed many of the glass targets with feathers and when squarely hit would blow feathers in a three foot diameter, which crowds never seemed to get enough of. Paine died in 1889 at the age of 48. No wives tales here. This S&W revolver is impeccably documented to the most famous 19th Century revolver shooter! CONDITION: Fine as period re-gilded. The revolver retains at least 90% of the gold finish with wear on the barrel, cylinder and high edges. The trigger guard retains much of the original bright blue finish with light spotting. The trigger retains most of the original bright case colors. The grips are excellent with some light scuffs and handling marks. The markings and engraving are clear and crisp. The mechanics are excellent.
Estimate: 15,000 - 30,000
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