Page 57 - 4093-BOOK3

LOT 3088
Rare and Documented Early
Production U.S. Ainsworth “Oil
Hole” Smith & Wesson No. 3 First Model American Single Action Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 846, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish,
walnut grips. Manufactured from 1870 to 1872, this is a very early production Smith & Wesson No. 3, 1st Model American
revolver with a three digit serial number (“846”), and is one of approximately 8,000 revolvers. It is one of the first 1,500 guns
S&W manufactured with vent hole (oil hole) in the rear extractor housing under barrel. The accompanying factory letter
states the revolver was sold on March 16, 1871 and shipped to U.S. government, National Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts,
with an 8 inch barrel and smooth walnut stocks. The factory letter lists the finish as blue, a recording error as the revolver has original nickel
finish. The shipment was for 1,000 guns, 800 had blue finish and 200 had nickel finish. The revolver is listed by serial number in the “Standard
Catalog of Smith & Wesson” as one of the 1,000 U.S. Americans on page 105. The top barrel flat has the one-line S&W legend as well as “US.” The
replacement left grip panel has the restamped “OWA” U.S. sub-inspector’s cartouche for Orville W. Ainsworth. The right grip panel is numbered to the
gun. Matching assembly marks appear on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 20% original nickel finish in the protected areas with a brown-gray patina on the balance and some scattered pitting. The
grips are very fine with high edge wear, slight chips at the toes, some handling marks, and crisp restamped cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
A survivor of the Indian Wars.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3087
Documented John T. Cleveland Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with
Watervliet Arsenal Cartridge Belt and John Kopec Gold Seal Letter - Serial no. 31873, 45 Long Colt cal., 7
1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Offered here is a John T. Cleveland (J.T.C.) inspected
U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Revolver that has been examined by noted Colt historian and author John Kopec. Kopec
recorded his observations in the accompanying gold seal letter of authentication. It was manufactured in 1876 and the
revolver was a listing in Kopec’s survey; falling between two Artillery Models (nos. 31871 and 31895) in the database. The nearest
reference examples in the National Archives records was no. 31890 issued to Troop G, 3rd Cavalry as of September 14, 1886. Because the revolver remains in
Cavalry Model configuration, Kopec concluded it was issued to a state militia such as the State of Missouri and West Virginia and the
District of Columbia. These militia revolvers were eventually returned to Springfield Armory and reclassified as surplus. The earliest
surplus examples appeared in Frances Bannermans 1903 catalog. Cataloged as “almost new”, these surplus revolvers sold for $9.00
each. The barrel has the one-line Colt Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by
“U.S.” John T. Cleveland (J.T.C.) initials appear on the frame, barrel, cylinder, and bottom of grip. The “P” proof is found on the bottom
of the barrel and cylinder. The grip has the date “1876” above the script letter “DAL” cartouche for David A. Lyle on the left side
and Cleveland’s script letter cartouche on the right side. As noted by Kopec, “Both inspector’s cartouches and the year-date ‘1876’
remain as if they had been applied yesterday!” Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. Included with the
revolver is a holster rig featuring a Watervliet Arsenal cartridge belt and a Iver Johnson flap holster (6 1/2 inch barrel) with absent toe plug.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% original case colors mostly contained to the protected areas. 40% strong original blue finish remains on the grip straps and
cylinder and on the barrel under the ejector rod housing. The grip is very fine with some scattered minor handing marks and crisp cartouches and date.
Mechanically functions but hammer only holds in the full cock position. The holster rig is good.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
55