Page 76 - 4092-BOOK2-FLIPBOOK

LOT 1084
Extremely Rare and Excellent
Etched Smith & Wesson .32
Safety Hammerless Double Action
Revolver - Serial no. 122900, 32 S&W
cal., 3 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel/blue finish,
hard rubber grips. This stunning Smith &
Wesson is a 32 Second Model manufactured in
1902-1909. Around 78,500 of this model were
made, but this revolver features incredibly rare
and beautifully executed scroll etching over most
of the metal making it stand out from the rest. The
factory records (not included) indicate the revolver shipped on December 7, 1903, and
no mention of the embellishment was noted. However, eleven .38 Safety revolvers were similarly etched in 1899, and the work is almost certainly factory. The barrel is numbered “86590”, the latch is numbered “112898”, the cylinder has a “2” along with a “K” and dot under the ejector, and the butt is numbered “122900”.
LOT 1086
Documented New York Engraved
and Inscribed Smith & Wesson .44
Double Action Frontier Revolver Linked to a
Montana Gold Mine - Serial no. 888, 44-40 WCF cal.,
5 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips.
Offered here is a period engraved early production
S&W .44 Double Action Frontier revolver with the
name “H.S. Sherard” engraved on the back strap. Period
publications mention H.S. Sherard as a mining engineer
and as a manager of the Gilt Edge Mine in Montana, circa
1893. The Gilt Edge Mine was a cyanide gold mine located
in Fergus County, Montana, that opened in 1883. The mine
and adjacent town prospered until 1912. About 100,000
ounces of gold were removed from the earth by the
time the mine closed in 1991. The revolver certainly
has the look of a working gun carried at the hip for
protection and as a status symbol for a Montana gold
mine manager in the late 19th century. The revolver
is decorated in an extensive deeply carved period scroll
engraving on a punch dot background. The barrel rib has
the two-line S&W address/patent dates marking. Matching
serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, barrel latch, and
barrel. The revolver is pictured in Michael Kennelly’s “Smith
& Wesson Engraving” on page 108 and Jesse Hardin’s “Old
Guns and Whispering Ghosts” on page 134.
CONDITION: Very good displaying authentic working gun character with traces of original nickel plating in the sheltered areas, otherwise a classic smooth gray patina associated with spending a lifetime in a harsh environment like Montana. The engraving is crisp. The slightly undersized grips are fine with some handling marks and highly attractive grain and color. Mechanically excellent. A New York engraved S&W .44 Double Action Frontier revolver linked to a Montana gold mine that will add dimension to any S&W or Western collection.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1087
Engraved Smith & Wesson .32 Double
Action 4th Model Revolver with Relief
Carved Dragon Grips - Serial no. 52869, 32
S&W cal., 3 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish,
antique ivory grips. Introduced in 1883. Featuring near full coverage engraved tight scrollwork and wonderful and unusual relief carved dragon grips with each panel having
a different depiction of the legendary folklore beast. Likely embellished in Japan. Unnumbered cylinder. Matching serial numbers on the butt, barrel and barrel latch.
CONDITION: Very fine as embellished, retaining 97% plus of the reapplied blue with a few small patches of gray on the cylinder. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also very fine with a series of dings on the bottom, crisp carving and attractive mellow aged appearance. Mechanically excellent. An attractive engraved .32 Double Action with standout relief carved dragon grips.
Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection; Property of a Genteman.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
CONDITION: Excellent with 99% plus original nickel plating, distinct etching, 99% original bright blue on
the latch and trigger guard, and 99% of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer. The grips are also excellent with dark coloration and crisp checkering. Overall wear is very minimal and mostly associated with age and limited handling. Mechanically excellent. Overall, this is an extremely attractive and rare
Smith & Wesson.
Provenance: The Donald C. Fogg Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OLD GUNS AND WHISPERING GHOSTS BY HARDIN
LOT 1085
Attractive Nickel and Gold
Plated Smith & Wesson First
Model 32 Safety Hammerless
Double Action Revolver with
Inscribed Pearl Grips - Serial no. 10472, 32
CF cal., 3 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., nickel/gold/
blue finish, pearl grips. Manufactured between
1888-1902. The cylinder and grip safety are gold
plated, the trigger guard is blue, the trigger is
casehardened, and the remaining parts are nickel. The
top of the barrel rib is marked with the two line address/patent dates, and the matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder and rear of the barrel. Pinned half moon front sight and fixed notch rear sight, casehardened hammer and fitted with pearl grips with the right panel inscribed “HH” at the top and “SASKATOON/SASK”. The significance is unknown. Saskatoon is the largest city in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. A star is stamped forward the serial number indicating this revolver
was returned to the factory probably for re-plating.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 95% factory nickel finish with some thinning, wear and minor oxidation on the barrel, and a few small areas of flaking on the frame. The cylinder retains 98% factory gold plating with a light drag line, some minor flaking and some light scratches. The trigger guard retains 90% original blue finish with some minor oxidation and pitting. The trigger retains most of the original case colors. The grips are excellent. Clear markings. Mechanically fine.
74 Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750