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LOT 3119
Cased Pair of Early Production Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3
Target Single Action Revolvers with Extra Barrel -A) Smith & Wesson
New Model No. 3 Target Revolver Serial Number 5 - Serial no. 5,
32-44 S&W cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured c. 1887, shortly after the introduction of the New Model No.
3 Target, this is an outstanding cased pair of Smith & Wesson revolvers.
This incredible pair appear to have been ordered together and in the same
configuration, likely by a competition target shooter during the period.
According to Supica and Nahas in “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson”,
only 4,333 of these New Model No. 3 revolvers were produced, with only
2,930 chambered in .32-44 S&W Target like these two examples. These
revolvers were made very popular among the target shooting community,
due in part to famous competition shooters such as Walter Winans
favoring them, and are arguably better suited for precise competition
shooting than Colt’s entry into that market, the Bisley Model. Like their
Colt competitors, the New Model No. 3, including the Target variation,
were highly prized sidearms in the American West. Besides potentially
being used to target shooting, it is quite easy to imagine these revolvers
in their case slide under the stagecoach seat of a wealthy traveler for
their personal protection, much like the “coach pistols” of the preceding
century. Both of these revolvers are marked on top of the barrel rib with
the standard two-line address and patent dates. The “A” revolver, serial
number 5, is marked with the matching serial number on the butt, rear
face of the cylinder, hand scratched inside the right grip panel, and rear
face of the barrel lugs, and the barrel latch is numbered “3”. There is also
a very faint, partial marking on top of the barrel rib of “A”, just over the
breech, that appears to have been “UG”. The “B” revolver, serial number 193,
is marked with the matching serial number on the butt, rear face of the
cylinder (slightly double stamped), rear face of the barrel lugs, and on the
cylinder latch, which has had the “9” stamped over and slightly above a
“1”. All of these numbers on both revolvers appear to be factory stamped,
leading the writer to believe that it is quite possible both of these revolvers
left the Smith & Wesson factory this way. These revolvers have every
appearance of having been ordered by a customer who wished to have
the Target variation of the New Model No. 3 but wished to have a fixed rear
sight, leading the factory to fit fixed rear sights which were leftover at the
factory. Additionally, included with these revolvers is an extra barrel, also
.32 caliber, which is unnumbered but otherwise has standard markings.
This extra barrel is fitted with a slightly different, target style blade front
sight and the typical Target adjustable notch rear sight. Both the “A” and “B”
revolvers are fitted with a matching set of sights which includes a pinned,
veined blade front sight with a German silver bead and a fixed notch rear
sight as typically seen on the standard New Model No. 3 revolvers. Both
are also fitted with a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with the Smith
& Wesson monograms at the tops. Included is an attractive hardwood
case with a blank brass escutcheon on the lid, removable upper tray fitted
for both revolvers, and a storage area beneath containing the previously
mentioned extra barrel. Overall this is an incredible set that has every
appearance of having been ordered and used by a discerning competition
shooter or wealthy traveler concerned with self-defense.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 97% plus of the factory replated nickel finish
and 95% of the vibrant original case colors with some scattered light
handling marks, a small speck of flaking on the left of the barrel, and some
light frosting. The grips are fine showing an attractively aged chocolate
tone with some mild wear, light handling marks, and defined checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The extra barrel is very fine overall. The case is fine
with some scattered mild handling/storage evidence. B) Smith & Wesson
New Model No. 3 Target Revolver - Serial no. 193, 32-44 S&W cal., 6 1/2
inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original nickel finish and
70% of the original case colors, most vibrant on the hammer, with some
scattered light handling marks and light cylinder turn lines. The grips are
very fine showing an attractive chocolate brown tone with a few very
light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very
interesting cased pair of early production Smith & Wesson New Model No.
3 Target revolvers and an extra barrel!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000 113