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LOT 83
Two San Francisco Police Marked U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model
Schofield Single Action Revolvers with Engraved Mexican Sterling
Silver Grips -A) Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield Revolver -
Serial no. 1481, 45 S&W cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, silver grips.
Offered here are two S&W First Model Schofield Revolvers originally
manufactured for the U.S. military and later issued to the San Francisco Police
Department by Benicia Arsenal. Approximately 300 Schofields were
issued from the Benicia Arsenal to the San Francisco Committee of
Safety during the labor riots and civil unrest of 1877-78. The riots
and unrest were a result of the great railroad strikes of 1877 that
sprung up in many large cities across the United States. Records do
exist of these 300 revolvers being issued; however, no records exist
of them being returned and it is popular belief that once the riots
were put down all the revolvers were obtained by the California
militia. The revolvers are three serial numbers apart (1481 and
1484). Both revolvers have a San Francisco Police Department
number on the back strap: “328” on gun “A”, and “386” on gun
“B.” The butts are marked “US” along with the serial number.
The cylinders are numbered to the respective gun and
have U.S. inspection “L” and “P” marks on the rear face. The
Mexican sterling silver grips are floral scroll engraved
and feature inscribed initials “HLC” inside a diamond
on opposing grip panels (right panel on “A”,
and left panel on “B”).
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