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LOT 3110
Desirable Smith & Wesson
Model 320 Revolving Rifle with 18
Inch Barrel, Shoulder Stock, Case, and Scarce
Picture Box of Ammunition - Serial no. 315, 320 S&W
Rifle cal., 18 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut stock, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured from 1879 to 1887, with a total production of
only 977 split among three barrel lengths, Smith & Wesson’s Model
320 revolving rifles is one of the rarest models of their catalog.
This example with its 18 inch barrel is one of only 514 made in this
configuration. These revolving “rifles” were very similar to Colt’s
“Buntline Special”, which was also a descendant of previous “pistol-
carbines”. Like their predecessors, these combination arms failed to
truly be good at being a handgun or a long gun, leading to limited
production and subsequently rarity and desirability on the collectors
market. It is likely that the idea of these dual purpose guns was
revived again during the “Wild West” period due to the desirability of
carrying a sidearm and a long gun chambered for the same cartridge, making sourcing ammunition easier in areas with
limited commercial availability. This example is marked with the two-line address and patent dates on top of the barrel rib in front
of the rear sight. The matching serial number is marked on the heel of the butt faintly, on the rear face of the cylinder, and on the bottom of the barrel latch. It is fitted with
a reattached brass pin front sight, two-leaf notch rear sight, a checkered hard rubber forearm, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Smith & Wesson monograms
at the tops. The forearm and the grips are the mottled red and black hard rubber that was unique to this model. Includes the correct walnut shoulder stock with blued
attaching iron and a black checkered hard rubber buttplate with Smith & Wesson monogram at the center. Also included is a period linen wrapped and brass cornered travel
case fitted for the gun and the stock as well as a rare box of .320 S&W Rifle cartridges with a picture of a Model 320 on the label (factory seal broken, but full compliment of
cartridges included).
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the original blue finish and 40% of the original case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a brown-grey patina and some
scattered brown freckling. The forearm and grips are very fine some light handling wear and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The stock is very fine with some
scattered light handling marks and most of the blue finish. The case is about good with extensive age-related wear. A desirable Smith & Wesson Model 320 revolving rifle
that certainly has the look of having seen time on the frontier!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000
Collector’s Fact
According to the "Standard Catalog
of Smith & Wesson: 5th Edition" by
Supica and Nahas, of the 977 Smith
& Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifles
manufactured, only 514 were produced
with an 18 inch barrel.
LOT 3111
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Single Action Revolver with Extra Barrel, Cylinder, and Retailer
Marked Case - Serial no. 729, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
from 1887 to 1898, only 4,333 of these New Model No. 3 Target revolvers were produced by Smith & Wesson, split
between the .32-44 and .38-44 S&W Target calibers. These revolvers were highly prized among the competition
shooters of the day, who were looking for any edge they could gain over their competition. This example was
originally one of only 2,930 chambered in .32-44 S&W Target as noted in “Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson”
by Supica and Nahas but is currently fitted with a barrel and cylinder set chambered for .44 S&W Russian. The top
of the barrel rib is marked with the two-line address and patent dates and the serial number is marked on the
butt. The currently fitted barrel and cylinder is numbered “3721”. The included original barrel and cylinder set is
numbered “729” to match the gun on the rear face of the cylinder, rear face of the upper barrel lugs, and bottom
of the barrel latch. Both barrels are fitted with target sights including a pinned blade front sight with vein bead
and an adjustable notch rear sight. It is also fitted with a pair of finely checkered, period replacement grips which
extend over the butt of the revolver as well as a case with the interior fitted for the revolver and the extra barrel/
cylinder set and retailer marked for H. Peabody Flagg of Boston.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% of the original blue finish with some mild handling wear on high spots and a
cylinder turn line. 90% of the vibrant original case colors remain, primarily on the hammer and sheltered areas
of the trigger guard. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The extra barrel/cylinder set (original to the gun) retain much of the original blue finish
with some patches of touch up and light pitting. The case is good with significant wear. An interesting New Model
No. 3 Target two-barrel, dual caliber set!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500