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LOT 1085
Exceptional U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield Single Action
Revolver with Holster - Serial no. 2224, 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 unaltered and 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 is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and inside the
right grip panel. The left grip panel has the boxed “SBL” inspection cartouche. 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. Includes a period commercial leather flap holster with light border and
floral tooling on the front and marked “105/C/45/7 1/2” on the belt loop.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 80% of the bright, original, high polish blue finish, 75% of the original case colors on the hammer, and 40%
of the original case colors on the trigger guard, an astounding amount of finish for one of these hard-used, frontier revolvers, while the balance
has thinned to a smooth grey or brown patina. The grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and exceptionally crisp cartouche.
Mechanically functions, although needs adjustment as it is out of time. The holster is very fine. An exceptional example of a rare, recently discovered,
U.S. contract, Schofield revolver, which are rarely found in such high condition!
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000