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LOT 3106
Cased Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 .32-44 Single Action Target Revolver Documented to Decorated Second Boer War and World War I Brigadier General Roland Charles Haig - Serial no. 514, 32-44 cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The New Model 3 dominated target competitions in the late 1800s and are found in the serial number range below 4,333. Of the 4,333 target variations manufactured, 2,930 were chambered in .32-44 caliber. These revolvers were introduced in 1887. The revolver features target sights, two-line barrel rib legend ending with the re-issue patent date, and matching three digit serial number “514” on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. “A 403” is finely engraved on the front strap. The British style oak case has an interesting handwritten “Directions for use” on the interior of the lid and the name “C.E. Haig” inscribed on the brass lid disk. Includes a box of UMC .32-44 cartridges. The accompanying letter of provenance
on Michael Miller letterhead states that the revolver belonged to Charles Edwin Haig (1849-1917) who “in turn gave it to his son R.C. Haig when he received his commission in the 16th Lancers in 1894. He served in the South African Wars and received the Queens Medal and four clasps [Cape Colony, Orange River Colony, Johannesburg, and Diamond Hill]. During the Great War 1914-1918 he was mentioned in dispatches five times. Received the Distinguished Service Order in 1915...He received that bar to the DSO in 1917 and a second in 1918. In 1917 he was made a brigadier general.” The letter erroneously states General Roland Charles Haig was killed in action in 1942. During the Third Battle of the Aisne on May 27, 1918, General Haig’s headquarters was heavily gassed and overrun by a German attack. Haig managed to escape, but his injuries from the gas attack forced him to resign his command. He retired from the army in 1923, became an avid golfer, and died at the age of 80 in 1953.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% original nickel plating with scattered flaking and smooth gray patina on the balance. 50% of original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are excellent with minimal handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with a few stress cracks on the exterior, minor handling/storage marks, and typical high spot wear on the lining. An interesting S&W New Model No. 3 Target Revolver documented to a decorated British general.
LOT 3107
Very Fine Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3
Target Single Action Revolver Inscribed “Presented to
Henry C. Thwing” with Factory Letter - Serial no. 2481, 32-44 cal.,
6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The included
factory letter lists this revolver as shipped on July 23, 1896, to Simmons
Hardware Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish. The
revolver has a pinned bead style blade front sight, target rear sight, two-line
address and patent marking ending in the 1871 reissue date, matching serial
numbers (barrel, latch, cylinder, and butt as well as hand marked in the right
grip which has also 2482 cross
out). The backstrap inscription
“PRESENTED TO HENRY C.
THWING.” is cut through the
finish. Thwing’s identity has not been confirmed, but there is a Henry “Hank” Clinton Thwing (1861-1940) of Belleville, Illinois, who was identified as a retired court reporter who had been active in that position for 45 years. The Belleville Daily Advocate’s obituary for Thwing indicates that he had been “a soldier of fortune” in the West and Southwest as a young man in Texas, California, and elsewhere prior to returning to Belleville in 1890. Letters to a Henry C. Thwing are footnoted in the book “Pender Harbour Cowboy: The Many Lives of Bernard Sinclair.” Henry Clay Thwing (1844-1927) born in Wisconsin was a farmer in Garden Prairie, Iowa, and died in Nebraska and is also a possibility. Includes a tag identifying it as from Jim Supica’s collection.
CONDITION: Fine with 95% original nickel plating remaining, some light speckling, crisp inscription, and light handling and storage marks. The grips are also very fine and have slight aging, crisp checkering, and minimal wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Supica Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,000 - 4,000
LOT 3108
Desirable
and Excellent
Smith &
Wesson New
Model No.
3 Revolver
Shoulder Stock with Box - Offered here is a S&W walnut stock extension designed for use with a S&W New Model No. 3 revolver. It has nickel plated attaching hardware and a checkered S&W hard rubber buttplate. Includes a correct and proper S&W box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 99% plus original nickel finish with limited handling marks. Box is also excellent with limited storage and handling marks.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
Provenance: Charles Edwin Haig; R.C. Haig; Property of a Gentleman.
90 Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000