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LOT 1125
Prototype Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian First Model Single
Action Revolver with Factory Letter - NSN, 44 S&W Russian cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. In the
accompanying factory letter S&W historian Roy Jinks identified this revolver as a “Model 3 Russian First Model unfinished
production prototype.” “It is my opinion,” continued the noted historian, “that this revolver was
produced with the various changes requested [by the Russian government] including the locking hammer,
a firing pin bushing, and changes to the barrel latch. It is possible that this was made to show the Russian
inspector that the changes could be made that they requested. It also could have been a factory test sample
that was later removed from the factory when the company moved to its new location in 1950. We are sorry there are no records
that are available to positively identify the revolver.” The barrel rib is only marked with the letter “F” in large font towards the
breech. The top strap is marked “PP” on the left side and “P” on the right side. An encircled “D” is stamped on the left side of the
hammer and rear cylinder face. The number “1” is stamped on the barrel latch. The lower rear frame pin is absent. The front strap
has a cutout at the top. The back of the right grip panel has the serial number “9936.” The butt is tapped for a lanyard ring with filler screw.
CONDITION: Very good as a factory prototype (or test sample, see above) with the majority of the metal surfaces having a gray patina along with a smooth dark brown patina on the
cylinder and some light pitting mostly on the barrel. 20% original case colors remain on the hammer. The grips are fine with a few dings on the bottom and a slight chip at the toe,
otherwise some scattered handling marks. Mechanically fine. A very intriguing prototype of a S&W No. 3 Russian revolver that is a must have for the serious collector.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 1124
Extremely Rare Experimental
French De Dartein Patent Centerfire Gas Seal “Propeller” Revolver -
Serial no. 5, 10 mm cal., 6 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This
is certainly an extremely rare example of a “de Dartein” patent “propeller” revolver. The design of this revolver
is illustrated and described in French patent number 87,672 dated November 2, 1869, granted to “de Dartein” for a “Propeller
Revolver”. U.S. patent number 102,872 has also been located relating to a similar designed revolver, dated May 10, 1870 and granted
to inventors Charles Felix de Dartein and Jules Edouard de Dartein, of Strasbourg, France. Another British patent, number 778 dated
March 16th, 1870, has also been located, as granted to agent Henry Woodcroft Hammond on behalf of the two de Dartein inventors. An
example of a similar revolver, exactly like the kind illustrated in the referenced U.S. patent, was previously sold by Rock Island Auction Company, and
was unidentified at the time (Auction 68, lot 1359). The action functions in a unique manner, and is built to a high quality standard. Cocking the firearm
requires the operator to pull back with their trigger finger on a sliding cocking knob located ahead of the trigger. Pulling back on the cocking knob rotates the cylinder
and cocks the striker type firing pin. The cylinder is rotated via helical fins or “propellers” that are actuated by the sliding cocking mechanism which has a bar with a helical camming
slot, in which it also acts as a locking mechanism. It shares slight similarities in function to the Mauser “zig-zag” and Webley Fosbery revolvers that came after. Once cocked, the operator pulls
the trigger to release the striker firing pin. The revolver utilizes a unique type of gas seal cartridge that has an oversized metallic casing with thick walls that completely surrounds a smaller diameter bullet
projectile, acting as a gas seal where the cylinder meets the rear face of the barrel at the breech. The rear of the chamber is 11mm which tapers to 10mm whilst the saboted projectile is 9mm, the theory being the
bullet would engage with the much small diameter forcing cone of the barrel. Whilst the unique ammunition is illustrated in the U.S. patent drawing, it is believed that no examples of the ammunition have survived.
The right of the frame has a safety lever that when flipped to the downward position allows the cylinder to rotate without cocking the trigger, allowing for loading of the 5-shot cylinder at the rear, with an ejector rod located at the
right. Octagon barrel, fixed dovetailed blade front sight with frame cut notch rear sight. The revolver is blue finished, with the maker’s mark “A.M” (possibly for Auguste Malherbe of Liege) on the left of the chamber area, “5” on the
right of the chamber area, “4” on the front and rear surfaces of the cylinder as well as on the loading gate, a circled “A.M” stamped on the left grip panel, and no visible proofmarks. Fitted with smooth walnut grip panels. Includes
consignor supplied related research papers and scanned pages of the article “Le revolver a helices du capitaine de Dartein” from the April 2006 issue of “Gazette des armes” magazine.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains strong traces of original blue finish in some protected areas with otherwise smooth brown patina, and some scattered light freckling. Grips are also very good with scattered dents and scratches,
and a defined stamp on the left. Mechanically functions fine, although ejector rod sometimes interferes with cylinder rotation due to a detent missing from the rear of the ejector housing. An extremely rare and interesting revolver
that would make a very fine addition to any advanced early military arms collection! Writer does not recall another example in recent times!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1123
Very Scarce and Fine Russian
Military Tula Arsenal
No. 3 Russian 3rd Model Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 14306, 44 S&W
Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Production of these revolvers
started around 1886 after the tooling was purchased from Ludwig Loewe. Although approximately 35,000 were
manufactured, these revolvers are very scarce in the U.S. and are reportedly just as rare in Russia. It has the Tula Arsenal
Cyrillic marking on the barrel rib which includes the manufacture date “1889,” the serial number, and an encircled “II” (lacks a double headed Russian
eagle). The cylinder is also numbered to the gun. Other Russian markings are present throughout. A lanyard ring is mounted on the butt.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance, high edge wear, grip straps mostly a smooth gray patina, and
a couple patches of pitting. Hammer retains 30% original
case colors, and traces of original case colors remain on
the trigger guard. The slightly oversize replacement grip
are also fine with some dings. Mechanically excellent.
Definitely one of the finer 3rd Model Russian contract
revolvers one could find!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500