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LOT 1172
Scarce Early Production Special Ordered Two-Digit
Serial Number 14 Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3
Target Single Action Revolver Chambered in the Rare
Documented .320 S&W Rifle Cartridge with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 14, 320 S&W Rifle cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish,
hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1888, this is an unique, likely one-of-a-
kind example of an early production, special ordered, Smith & Wesson New
Model No. 3 Target revolver. Being the Target variation of the New Model
No. 3 alone makes this revolver quite rare, with only 4,333 of the
Target model being produced between 1887 and 1910. However,
this specific revolver is also a two-digit serial number, has a special
ordered sight, was shipped to a named individual, and is chambered
in an extremely scarce caliber. The included factory letter with
this revolver lists it as a New Model No. 3 Target with a 6 1/2 inch
barrel, special ordered in the .320 S&W rifle cartridge, a “special”
front sight, adjustable target rear sight, nickel finish, and black hard
rubber grips when shipped as a single unit to John E. Martin of New
Haven, Connecticut. None of the defining Smith & Wesson literature,
such as that by Jinks, Parsons, or Roper makes mention of the .320 S&W Rifle
cartridge as a chambering for the New Model No. 3 Target, and the writer is not aware of any
other examples in existence. “The Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas
briefly mentions the caliber as an available chambering in the model, but does not elaborate any further. It is likely that the
individual who ordered this revolver did so to pair with a Smith & Wesson Model 320 revolving rifle they already owned.
Though unconfirmed, period articles from New Haven and Hartford provide a couple possibilities for the identity of John
E. Martin. One of these is as a police officer “John Martin” noted as shooting a “man-eating” dog with a revolver. The other
potential candidate is listed as John E. Martin, an actor performing at Proctor’s Opera House in Hartford. The revolver itself
has the standard two-line address and patent marking on top of the barrel rib. The matching serial number is on the butt,
rear face of the cylinder, and the cylinder latch. It is fitted with a special ordered German silver blade front sight, correctly
fitted in the groove cut in the barrel rib, and with the correct, matching number, fixed notch rear sight like the standard
New Model No. 3. The factory letter noting an adjustable target rear sight appears to be an error, as these fixed sights were
standard on the early production Target models, before the introduction of the adjustable notch. It is also fitted with a pair
of checkered hard rubber grips with the S&W monogram at the tops.
CONDITION: Good, retains traces of the original nickel finish in sheltered areas with the balance a mixture of grey and
brown patina and some mild pitting scattered throughout. The well-worn grips are fair with a large chip absent from the
bottom of the right panel and some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. An extremely rare, possibly one-of-a-
kind, special ordered Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target revolver chambered in .320 S&W Rifle!
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1171
Smith & Wesson No. 3 American First Model Single
Action Revolver with Ivory Grips Formerly in the Hank
Williams Jr. Collection - Serial no. 3205, 44 S&W American
cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips.
Manufactured from 1870 to 1872. The barrel rib has the one-line address/patent
dates marking. The front sight has been trimmed down during the period of use.
Matching assembly numbers are stamped on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel and
barrel latch. This revolver is from the collection of world famous American country singer
and song writer Hank Williams Jr. and includes a certificate of authenticity
confirming his ownership.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% original nickel plating with a smooth gray patina and a some dings
on the barrel. Patterns of original case colors remain on the hammer. The grips are very fine with typical
age lines on the bottom, some minor handling marks and attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Hank Williams Jr. Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,000 - 7,000
LOT 1174
Excellent Smith & Wesson New
Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver
with Rare and Desirable 4 Inch Barrel
- Serial no. 23902, 44 S&W Russian cal., 4 inch solid rib
bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured prior
to 1899, these revolvers were cataloged into the early
20th century, but all frames were reportedly produced prior
to 1899. This is an exceptionally fine example of a special ordered Smith & Wesson
New Model No. 3 with a desirable 4 inch barrel, rather than the 6 1/2 inch which was
standard. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and patent dates,
ending with 1880. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, the rear face
of the cylinder, and on the bottom of the cylinder latch. The right grip is hand marked
“1787” inside and the left grip is marked with the “78” patent date at the bottom. It is fitted with a
pinned blade front sight, a fixed notch rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with the
Smith & Wesson monograms at the tops.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish and 95% of the vibrant original case
colors with some light handling/edge wear, some scattered light handling marks, and a cylinder turn
line. The correct replacement grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 1173
Excellent Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian
Second Model Single Action Revolver
- Serial no. 49409, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch
round bbl., nickel/casehardened finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured c. 1873-1878. Features oval blade front and
barrel latch notch rear sights and the one-line Smith & Wesson
address and patent dates along with “RUSSIAN MODEL” on top of
the barrel rib between two Maltese crosses. Non-matching “222”
partial serial numbers on the cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch.
Fitted with a pair of smooth walnut grips with a matching
“49409” serial number stamped under the right panel.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% plus original nickel
plating and 70% original case colors with a light cylinder
drag line, some chipping around the action hinge, some
scattered minor handling marks in the finish, and some
scattered minor handling evidence. The grips are very fine
with some minor chipping. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
Serial
Number 14