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LOT 1049
U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield Single Action Revolver
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 1095, 45 S&W Schofield cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. A total of 3,035 of these First Model Schofields were manufactured in 1875 with
seven inch barrels, walnut grips and blue finish as standard. 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. “US” is marked on the butt,
and “L” and “P” are stamped on the barrel and rear cylinder face. The cylinder is numbered to the gun. 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
accompanying factory letter states revolver was shipped on July 12, 1875, to the U.S. Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining near 40% original blue finish with the balance a mottled brown-gray patina mixed with a few patches
of light pitting and period replacement front sight blade. The grips are fine with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A
solid representative example of a U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield revolver.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1048
Very Scarce and Desirable Documented “Oil Hole Variation”
Cavalry Issued, U.S. Contract Smith & Wesson Model 3 American
First Model Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 431, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. The S&W American Revolver was the first cartridge revolver adopted by the U.S.
military and saw usage throughout the Indian Wars as it was reported to have been issued to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
5th, 6th, and 7th Cavalry. The revolver was part of a shipment of 1,000 units, 800 blue finish and 200 in nickel finish.
Surviving examples of U.S. martial Model 3 Americans are scarce and highly desirable in any condition. The barrel rib is marked “+
SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS.U.S.A.PAT.JULY 10. 60. JAN. 17. FEB. 17. JULY 11. 65 & AUG. 24. 69 +” followed by a prominent
“US”. A small “A” ordnance sub-inspection mark is present on the left side of the frame under the cylinder and a “P” on rear of the
recoil shield and forward the barrel hinge (both on the right side). The serial number is marked on the butt. Compounding the significance of this particular revolver is the
rarely observed oil hole as found on the first 1,500 or so of this model,
located on the rear of the extractor housing on the bottom of the
barrel lug. This rare and desirable U.S. martial revolver is listed by its
serial number “431” in the STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON
by Jim Supica & Richard Nahas as a Model 3 that was purchased by
the U.S. government and is further accompanied by a copy of a factory letter which also confirms its
shipment to Springfield Armory, Massachusetts on March 16, 1897. Included with the revolver is a copy of a hand-signed letter from David Carrol, President of CPM Incorporated, which certifies
the revolver as having been a 50-year piece in the inventory of Charles E. Duffy, noted Smith & Wesson collector.
CONDITION: Fine. The revolver exhibits traces of original finish all in sheltered areas with the balance now a mottled gray patina showing isolated patches of pin prick type pitting and typical wear from use.
The grips are fine to very fine as replaced showing only casual surface blemishes. Mechanically excellent. Considering this revolvers age and its exposure to the harshest conditions imaginable on the frontier it
remains a fine, highly desirable and likewise extremely rare U.S. Cavalry revolver.
Provenance: The Charles E. Duffy Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER
IN STANDARD CATALOG OF
SMITH & WESSON BY SUPICA
& NAHAS
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