Page 114 - 4091-BOOK2

LOT 1140
Desirable U.S. Smith
& Wesson First Model
Schofield Revolver - Serial
no. 1035, 45 Schofield cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. This is a fine original example of a First Model Schofield
Single Action revolver. A total of 3,035 of these were manufactured
in 1875 with seven inch barrels, walnut grips and blue finish as the standard
finish. The distinctive features of this revolver are the barrel catch attached to the
frame rather than the top strap, the gracefully shaped frame and shorter ejector
housing. The U.S. Ordnance Department ordered almost the entire production. Many were issued to
the 4th Cavalry and the black troops of the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry, the “Buffalo Soldiers” of the Indian
Wars. Some notorious outlaws and lawmen of the Old West were known to have carried a Schofield as
well. The left side of the ejector housing is marked with the two line address/patent
dates and “SCHOFIELD’S PAT APR 22D 1873” on the right side. The toe of the back
strap is marked “US”. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear cylinder
face, with the letter “L” below it, and on the inside of the right grip panel. The letter “L”
also appears on the frame under the cylinder, and the bottom of the ejector housing
flat is marked “LP”. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and trigger guard, pinned
blade front sight and fitted with smooth walnut grips.
CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains 40% original blue finish, concentrated mainly on the frame sides and protected areas of the barrel, with a smooth mottled brown patina on the balance. The hammer and trigger guard retain strong original case colors in protected areas with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The grips are also fine with a few scattered minor dings and scratches. The markings are clear. The cylinder has a bit of play, otherwise the action is fine. Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
LOT 1141
Smith & Wesson No. 3 Third
Model Russian Single Action Revolver - Serial no.
47585, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish,
walnut grips. This variation of the Smith & Wesson No. 3 is also known
as the “Model 1874,”“Cavalry Model,” and “New Model Russian”. This model is easily
identified by the large thumbscrew on the top strap, integral blade front sight,
trigger guard spur, and humpback grip strap. The barrel is marked with the long one
line patent ending with “RUSSIAN MODEL” flanked with Maltese crosses on the rib. The butt
has the Schuyler Hartley & Graham diamond marking along with a lanyard ring. The right
grip panel is numbered to the gun. Matching assembly numbers appear on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% period retailer applied nickel plating showing some flaking mostly on the back strap. 30% original case colors remain on the trigger guard. The grips are also very fine with some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1142
Smith & Wesson
New Model No. 3
Single Action Revolver with Scarce 8 Inch Barrel -
Serial no. 35311, 44 S&W Russian cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. In 1878 S&W introduced the New Model No. 3, and it
was an instant success. Its design drew on handling and mechanical
improvements from its popular predecessors, the American, Russian and Schofield
models, and spawned a series of wide ranging variations, including a target model
that dominated target competition in the late 19th century. This example has a non-
standard 8 inch barrel which is marked “44 S&W CTG” on the left side. This model rarely had caliber
markings. Fitted with a pinned Lyman beaded blade front sight and adjustable “U” notch rear sight. The
barrel latch is non-matching. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% plus original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The trigger guard has faded to a gray. 60% original case colors remain on the hammer. The grips are as fine with some handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
112 Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 1143
Unusual Unserialized Smith &
Wesson No. 3 Second Model Russian
Single Action Revolver with Charles W.
Pate Letter - NSN, 44 S&W Russian cal., 7 inch solid
rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Manufactured circa
1873 to 1878 this model is commonly known as the Old Model Russian and is easily recognizable by the spurred trigger guard. The Second Model Russian was also manufactured with
a 7 inch solid rib barrel and features a pinned blade front sight and notch rear sight on the barrel latch. This is an unusual example as it lacks a serial number.
n his accompanying letter, noted firearms historian Charles W. Pate stated, “The most significant feature of this revolver is that there are no serial numbers anywhere on the pistol. Instead, the pistol is marked with two punch marks...I have not previously seen revolvers marked with only a
pair of punch marks as the assembly mark.” Pate concluded “that this
pistol was indeed unique and was assembled by a workman who used
the pair of punch marks as his identifying mark...I cannot explain why
it was built, however, the factory is known to have produced other
Russian Model oddities, one of which was marked with the letter ‘S’ on
all the major parts instead of with a serial number.”The pair of punch
marks appear on the butt at the heel, back of each grip panel below
the screw, left side of grip frame (assembly marks generally stamped on right side), back of cylinder above a tiny “D”, barrel latch, frame between the barrel latch cut-out, and left side of the back of barrel. The barrel rib has the one-line S&W legend ending with “RUSSIAN MODEL.” Small “B” on the underside of the barrel and back of left side of the frame.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 95% plus original nickel plating. The grips are very fine with high edge wear and some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. An unusual unserialized S&W No. 3 Second Model Russian revolver that is a must have for the serious S&W collector.
Writer cannot recall another!
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
I
LOT 1144
Smith & Wesson Model 3 Transitional American Single
Action Revolver - Serial no. 7319, 44 S&W American cal., 8
inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Transitional Americans
are found in the approximately 3,200-3,700 and 6,000-8,000 with
this example no. 7319 falling in the generally excepted latter range.
Transitional models are distinguished by a shorter 1.423 inch
cylinder, a 2nd American style interlocking hammer and latch, and a 1st American style flat bottom frame. The barrel rib has a period modified pinned rounded blade front sight and is stamped with the one-line S&W address/patent dates legend. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% bright original high polish blue finish with a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. Traces of original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are also fine with a coat of protective varnish, scattered handling marks, and mild high edge wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250