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LOT 1128
Very Fine Smith & Wesson No. 2
Second Model .38 Single Action
Revolver with Pearl Grips and Box
- Serial no. 99368, 38 S&W cal., 3 1/4
inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, pearl
grips. Manufactured from 1877 to 1891,
this is a very fine example of a Smith &
Wesson No. 2 Second Model .38 Single
Action revolver. The first variation of
these revolvers is often nicknamed the
“Baby Russian”, due to its resemblance
to the larger No. 3 Russian, and this
nickname is sometimes incorrectly applied to these Second Models. The top
of the barrel rib is marked with the standard two-line address and patent
dates. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear face of the
cylinder, and the cylinder latch. It is fitted with a pinned blade front sight,
notch rear sight, and a pair of smooth pearl grips. Includes an unnumbered model correct factory box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original nickel finish with a few scattered small patches of light
flaking/spotting, a cylinder drag line, and strong traces of original case colors on the hammer. The grips are also
excellent with a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with a few separated corners.
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1125
Desirable Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target
Single Action Revolver in Scarce .38-44 S&W Target -
Serial no. 1901, 38-44 cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured from 1887 to 1898, this is a very fine example of a
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target revolver. These target revolvers
were very popular among the competition shooters of the day, including the likes of Walter
Winans, and were cataloged by Smith & Wesson until at least 1910. Only 4,333 of these Target
Model No. 3 revolvers were produced in their own separate serial number range, with one of their
most defining features being a set of “target” sights. Of the total number of this target variation
produced, it is noted in “Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas that only 1,413
were chambered in .38-44 S&W Target. The top of the barrel rib on this example is marked with the two-line
Smith & Wesson address and patent dates ending in “1871”. The matching serial number is marked on the butt,
rear face of the cylinder, and on the bottom of the cylinder latch. The inside of the grip is hand-scratched with
“35191”. It is fitted with what was considered the standard “target” sights, including a pinned, squared blade
topped with a vein bead and a adjustable notch rear sight. The fitted grips are diamond pattern checkered hard
rubber with the Smith & Wesson monograms at the tops.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish with some light handling wear on the grip
straps and high spots, as well as a few small patches of light pitting. 90% of the original case colors remain on
the hammer and strong traces remain on the trigger guard. The replacement grips are fine, showing an attractive
chocolate tone, some light handling marks, and defined checkering. Mechanically functions, though the extractor
is a little stiff. A very fine example of Smith & Wesson’s No. 3 Target revolver!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1126
Fine Smith & Wesson No. 3
“American” Second Model Single Action Revolver -
Serial no. 22690, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1872-1874, this is a
solid example of one of 20,735 No. 3 “American” Second Model revolvers
produced by Smith & Wesson. Though they were overshadowed by the Colt
Single Action Army in pure quantity, these Smith & Wesson “Americans” saw no less hard use on
the rugged frontier and gained somewhat of a cult following, both in the “Wild West” and in the
modern collectors market. Plenty of legendary frontier figures seemed to have preferred a Smith
& Wesson over a Colt, including “Buffalo Bill” Cody and Wyatt Earp. The top of the barrel rib is
marked with the standard one line address and patent dates, ending with “69”, and flanked by
Maltese crosses. The matching serial number is marked on the butt and stamped inside the right grip panel. The
matching assembly number “720” is marked on the right of the grip frame at the heel, rear face of the cylinder,
and on the cylinder latch. It is fitted with a pinned steel blade front sight, notch rear sight on top of the cylinder
latch, and a pair of smooth walnut grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% plus of the original blue finish with some mild handling and holster type wear
and some small patches of light pitting, all typical of a frontier sidearm. 50% of the original case colors remain
on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are also fine showing mild handling wear and a few minor dings.
Mechanically excellent. A fine Smith & Wesson “American” Second Model with the look of a true frontier survivor!
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1127
Special Order Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3
Single Action Revolver with 8 Inch Barrel, Target Sights,
and Extra 4 Inch Barrel - Serial no. 34136, 44 S&W Russian
cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured prior
to 1899, this is a solid representative example of a special ordered New
Model No. 3 revolver with an 8 inch barrel and set of target sights. Much
like their Colt Single Action Army competitor, these revolvers remained a popular sidearm by those
in all walks of life who had need for one, even well after the advent of semi-automatic pistols. This
example is marked with the standard single line address on top of the barrel rib and has the caliber
marking on the left of the barrel. The slightly softened Smith & Wesson trademark is on the right of
the frame. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, bottom of the
barrel latch, and rear face of the upper barrel lugs. The serial number on the butt is followed by a five-pointed
factory rework star. It is fitted with a pinned blade front sight with a vein bead, adjustable notch rear sight, and
a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with a Smith & Wesson monograms at the tops. Includes an extra 4 inch
barrel that is marked with the single line address on top of the rib and is numbered “30139” on the rear face of
the upper lugs.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% plus of the factory refinished blue and 85% plus of the vibrant original case
colors with some light wear at the muzzle and a faint cylinder turn line. The bead of the front sight is bent slightly
to the right. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent. The extra barrel is also very fine with 95% plus of the blue finish and some light handling evidence. An
attractive New Model No. 3 with special order features!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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