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LOT 3078
Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian Third
Model Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 47352, 44 S&W
Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique
ivory grips. The Third Model of the Smith & Wesson No. 3
Russian, also known as the New Model Russian, was manufactured
c. 1874-1878. This revolver features the integral blade front sight and one-line
legend ending in “RUSSIAN MODEL” on the rib, notch rear sight on the barrel
latch, spurred trigger guard, lanyard loop on the butt, “1874” at the heel along
with “47352”, “47352” written on the back side of the right grip, and “8153” on the
barrel, barrel latch, cylinder, and heel under the right grip.
CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus untouched original nickel plating, 60% original
casehardened finish on the hammer and trigger guard, and minor overall wear. The slightly shrunke grips are very fine with attractive natural color and grain, minor age lines, and general mild wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3079
Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model
Revolver - Serial no. 16506, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6
inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. All
frames of the .44 Double Action First Model Revolver were manufactured between 1881 and 1898, but this model was
listed in the company catalogs and sold up until 1913. The revolver also has the two-line S&W legend on the rib, gold S&W medallion grips, 1 7/16 inch cylinder, and matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% original nickel finish showing some
muzzle wear and flaking. The trigger guard retains 95% plus original blue finish.
The hammer and trigger retain 40% original case colors. The slightly undersized period replacement grips are fine with a few stress lines at the medallion (left side), some handling marks, and attractive color. Mechanically functions fine, although hammer does not always hold in the full cock position. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
LOT 3080
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action
Revolver - Serial no. 34915, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2
inch solid rib 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 barrel
marked “44 S&W CTG” on the left side. This model rarely had caliber markings. The cylinder is non- matching (34686). The barrel and barrel latch are numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% plus original blue finish with a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. Traces of original case colors remain on the trigger guard. The hammer retains 40% original case colors. The grips are also fine with some minor handling marks and some softened checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
Single Action Revolver Documented to Smith & Wesson Superintendent Charles Alonzo King with Affidavit - NSN, 44 S&W Russian cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., in the white finish, absent grips. This revolver was manufactured c. 1873 and is a Model 3 Russian Second Model or “Old Model Russian” with no markings, front sight, or grips and “in the white” metal. Per the included affidavit from FBI Special Agent John Danaher, this revolver originally belonged to his great grandfather Charles Alonzo King and Danaher received it from his grandfather. King worked with Otis A. Smith producing parts during the Civil War, also worked for Savage Arms Co. and in 1867 became the superintendent at Smith & Wesson and invented and patented the automatic ejector and improved manufacturing capabilities at the company. Rock Island Auction Company sold the patent model for King’s U.S. Patent No. 94,003 of August 24, 1869 for the ejection system in June 2020. After working for Smith & Wesson in 1867-1874, King went to work at Parker Brothers where he is noted for making many improvements, receiving thirteen more patents before retiring in 1908 after which his son Walter took over as superintendent. Even in retirement, he remained a consultant up until his death in 1914. In addition to Walter, he also had sons named Charles and Raymond and a daughter named Minnie. “The Meriden Weekly Republican” ran the headline “Sketch of Career [of ] Charles
A. King...Respected Meriden Citizen Who Died Sunday -Was Leading Figure in the Field of Firearms Manufacture - Invented Many Improvements to Guns” and also noted he was a city council member in Springfield, including as chairman of the police and was also the police commissioner. The Parker factories were closed for his funeral.
CONDITION: Fine with an even in the white appearance, less polished metal on the grip straps, and generally minimal wear. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: Smith & Wesson Superintendent Charles Alonzo King; FBI Special Agent John Danaher; The Warren T. Lewis Collection; The George Leiper Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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LOT 3081
In the White Tool Room Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian Second Model