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LOT 3186
Fine Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single
Action Revolver in “Russian” Configuration with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 33290, 44 S&W Russian
cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured prior to 1899, this is a fine example of Smith & Wesson’s
New Model No. 3 special ordered in “Russian” configuration. The included
factory letter lists the revolver in .44 Russian caliber with a 6 1/2 inch
barrel, adjustable target sights, Russian trigger guard, blue finish, and checkered
hard rubber grips when it shipped to an unreadable address as a single gun
shipment on 7 February 1900. The letter also notes that a significant number of
these New Model No. 3 revolvers were ordered in Japan and Turkey, with the Japanese firm Takata &
Co. purchasing approximately one-third of total production. The standard one-line address is marked
on top of the barrel rib, with the Smith & Wesson trademark on the right of the frame. The matching serial number
is on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, cylinder latch, and hand marked inside the right grip panel. It is fitted with
a pinned beaded blade front sight, adjustable notch target rear sight, “Russian” pattern trigger guard, and a pair of
checkered hard rubber grips with S&W monograms at the tops.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish and 50% of the refurbished case colors on the
modified, sectionalized trigger guard, with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, a few
scattered patches of minor pitting on the barrel and cylinder, and a heavy cylinder turn line. The grips are also fine
showing an attractive chocolate tone with a few light handling marks and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3185
Documented Japan Shipped Smith & Wesson
New Model No. 3 Frontier Single Action Revolver,
Factory Converted to .44 S&W Russian, with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 1810, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in late 1895, this revolver is a rare
example of only 786 Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Frontier revolvers
which were converted from their standard .44-40 Winchester caliber to .44
S&W Russian for shipment to Japan, particularly for the Japanese Navy. The
included factory letter with this example lists the factory caliber conversion and
that this revolver shipped with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered
walnut grips to Takata & Co. in Yokohama, Japan, on 16 January 1896. This
example is marked with the standard two-line address and patent marking, including the 1871 reissue date, on
top of the barrel rib. The matching serial number is on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, barrel latch, and faintly
hand marked inside the right grip panel. This example does not bear any Japanese style markings, indicating that
it may have been sold on the commercial market in Japan or elsewhere. It is fitted with a blade front sight and
notch rear sight, as well as a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a grey or brown
patina and some scattered light pitting/oxidation, more concentrated on the grip straps. The grips are fine with
some scattered light handling marks and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3183
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single
Action Revolver with Ivory Grips - Serial no. 12016,
44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish,
antique ivory grips. Introduced in 1878 and all frames manufactured
prior to 1899, making this model an antique. The barrel rib has the two-
line address/patent dates marking. The revolver is fitted with a 1 7/16
inch cylinder, is factory cut for a shoulder stock, has a lanyard ring on the butt, and matching
serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% original nickel plating with a smooth gray patina on the
balance, a few small patches of pitting, and handling marks. 80% original case colors remain on the
hammer and trigger guard. The slightly undersize period replacement grips are very good with a
repaired left panel and handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3182
Fine Imperial Russian Contract
Ludwig Loewe & Co. No. 3 Russian Third Model
Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 95541, 44 Russian
cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured c. 1883 in Germany by Ludwig, Loewe & Company
as a copy of the Smith & Wesson under contract for the Imperial Russian
government. Features fixed oval blade front and barrel latch notch rear
sights, one-line Ludwig, Loewe & Co. marking on top of the barrel rib in Cyrillic with
Imperial Russian “two-headed eagle” stamp, along with an “1874” stamp on the left
rear of the frame. Matching visible serial numbers on the grip frame and cylinder.
Fitted with a pair of un-numbered walnut grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% plus original blue finish and 40% original straw colors with light
edge wear, light cylinder drag lines, thinning on the balance with mostly brown patina, some light
patches of spotting/freckling, and mild handling wear. The grips are also fine as lightly sanded and
re-oiled with some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3187
Desirable and Excellent Smith &
Wesson New Model No. 3 Revolver
Shoulder Stock with Box - Offered
here is a S&W walnut stock extension
designed for use with a S&W New
Model No. 3 revolver. It has nickel plated
attaching hardware and a checkered S&W hard rubber buttplate. Includes a
correct and proper S&W box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 99% plus original nickel finish and a few
scattered dings and handling marks on the wood. The box is fine with
attached pager lid hinge showing separation on the interior and nearly all of the end label remaining.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 3184
Smith & Wesson First Model Single Shot Pistol with “H.M.
Pope” Marked Barrel - Serial no. 19006, 22 LR cal., 10 inch solid
rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured between 1893 and 1905.
The barrel is marked “H. M. POPE” on the rib behind the barrel address, and
featured standard blade and notch sights. Matching serial number on the
front strap and barrel. There is a factory rework star ahead of the serial number and a “621”
(June, 1921) factory return date under the left grip.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% plus factory refinished
blue finish, some minor spotting, and mild handling
evidence. The grips are very good with a chip on the left
panel, residue on the butt, some edge wear, and crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500 135