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LOT 3112
Outstanding, Documented Special Order Gold Plated Smith &
Wesson “Model of 1891” .38 Single Action Third Model “Special
Combination Set” Revolver Inscribed to Gilded Age Ohio
Industrialist Samuel J. Reeves with Presentation Case, Pearl Grips,
Extra Single Shot Barrel, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 5229, 38 S&W
cal., 4 inch solid rib bbl., gold finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1893,
this is an outstanding cased set featuring a magnificent gilded revolver
which is inscribed to Samuel J. Reeves, a Midwest industrialist of the
Gilded Age. It is an excellent example of a rare, special ordered, factory
cased set, including a Smith & Wesson .38 Single Action Third Model
revolver, also known as the “Model of 1891”, with an extra single shot barrel,
extra grips, and tools. Adding to its rarity, the revolver itself has a beautiful
factory inscription to the original owner. The included factory letter that this set
was ordered with a 4 inch revolver barrel, 10 inch single shot barrel, gold plated finish,
an extra pair of extended grips, and a special Smith & Wesson combination case that held all the
parts and accessories. The letter states that the set was shipped on 14 January 1899 to “Deardornf”,
likely meant to be Deardorff, the prominent founding family of the town of Dover, Ohio. Roy Jinks
goes on to state in the letter that, because the set was manufactured in 1893, it is his opinion
that it may have been used as a display set prior to being sold. The top of the barrel rib on the
revolver has the interesting two-line address, “MODEL OF 91”, and two-line patent dates marking.
The matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and bottom of the
barrel latch. The left side of the frame and sideplate is inscribed in beautiful art nouveau text with
“S-J-Reeves./C-Dover,/Ohio.”, which refers to Samuel Jeremiah Reeves (1870-1901) of Dover Ohio,
which at times during the period was referred to as “Canal Dover”. It is fitted with a pinned blade
front sight, notch rear sight on top of the barrel latch, and a beautiful pair of smooth pearl grips.
The included extra single shot barrel has the same address mentioned above on top of the rib and
is fitted with a target type pinned blade front sight and notch rear sight on top of the barrel latch.
Also included is a set of checkered hard rubber target type grips which extend past the butt of the
revolver, a bore brush, and a screwdriver with multiple heads inside the brass grip. All of the items
including the revolver are contained within a hardwood case lined with beige suede.
Samuel J. Reeves was born in 1870, as the son of Jeremiah Edward Reeves who had emigrated to
America from England in 1867 as a boiler maker. Along with his brothers, Jeremiah organized the
Reeves Boiler Works in Niles, Ohio in 1873. In 1882, the brothers became interested in the Dover
Rolling Mill, selling their interests in the boiler works, they purchased the mill and moved to Dover.