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LOT 140
Excellent Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Single Action Revolver
in .38-44 S&W - Serial no. 2676, 38-44 cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1897. The Smith & Wesson New Model Number 3 Target
revolvers were developed as a direct competitor to Colt’s Single Action Army and “Flat Top” target revolvers,
produced from the late 1880s to 1910s. These revolvers were based on the No. 3 Schofield revolver and only
chambered in a target type cartridge, with this specific example being chambered for .38-44 S&W; out of the 4,333 target
variations manufactured, only 1,413 were chambered in .38-44 caliber. Refer to pages 107-108 of “Standard Catalog of Smith &
Wesson” (3rd Edition) by Supica and Nahas. Features a beaded blade front and early adjustable target notch rear sight screwed into the rear of the
barrel latch (with the existing notch widened), refinished/modified trigger guard, Smith & Wesson address marked between two Maltese crosses on
top of the barrel rib, Smith & Wesson trade mark on the right of the frame, and a unique period modified skeletonized trigger. Matching visible “2676” serial
numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as period upgraded (see above), retaining 90% plus original blue finish and 80% plus case colors with some minor edge wear, a light
cylinder drag line, some limited thinning on the grip straps, a few scattered patches of brown patina/freckling visible, and some light handling marks. The grips are
also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 139
Exceptional U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield Single Action Revolver -
Serial no. 239, 45 S&W Schofield cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured c. 1875, this is an exceptionally fine example of a U.S. contract
First Model Schofield single action revolver. Of the 3,035 First Model Schofields
produced, almost all of them were purchased by the U.S. government, though some
reportedly ended up in civilian hands, including the notorious Frank and Jesse James, as well as George
Custer’s chief scout, “Lonesome Charley”. Many of these Schofields purchased by the government were
issued to the 4th Cavalry Regiment, seeing service in the Geronimo Campaign, as well as to the famous
9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, known as the “Buffalo Soldiers” seeing service in the Southwest. The
majority of these revolvers saw hard use in the hands of U.S. cavalry troopers on the American frontier, with many of those that survived
purchased as surplus and altered by Wells Fargo & Co., leaving very few examples for collectors in exceptionally fine condition like this
one. This example has the distinctive First Model Schofield features, which are the barrel catch attached to the frame rather than the
top strap, the gracefully shaped frame, shorter ejector housing, and the “US” marking at the toe of the butt, rather than the heel like the
later Second Models. The left side of the ejector housing is marked with the two-line Smith & Wesson address and patent dates ending
with “71” and flanked by Maltese crosses. This early production example correctly lacks the “73” patent date which is seen on those
manufactured later. The right side of the ejector housing is marked with Schofield’s patent date in one line, flanked by Maltese crosses. “US” is marked on the toe of the
butt. The matching serial number, “239”, is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and inside the right grip panel. The left grip panel has the boxed “JFEC” inspection cartouche of
J.F.E. Chamberlain. It is fitted with a pinned blade front sight fitted in the groove that runs the entire length of the rib and a fixed notch rear sight in the barrel latch.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a grey-brown patina, mostly in the form of mild holster/handling
wear. The grips are very fine with some scattered minor dings/scratches and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. The U.S. First Model Schofields are seldom available in their original
configurations and in exceptional condition like this example!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000