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LOT 3127
Smith & Wesson No. 3 Second
Model American Single Action Revolver with Paris
Retailer Barrel Inscription - Serial no. 30290, 44 S&W
cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The first
variation of the Number Three was dubbed the American, and bears
many distinctions, including being the first cartridge revolver to be
adopted by the United States military and has traditionally been associated with the American
West. This is a Second Model American and is identified by the interlocking hammer and
latch, and the bump in the bottom of the frame just above the trigger. The top of the barrel
rib is marked “+SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A PAT. JULY10. 60. JAN 17. JULY 11.
65 & AUG. 24. 69+”. The serial number is marked on the butt with the assembly number “435”
on the rear cylinder face and barrel, and “40” on the barrel latch. The upper left side of the barrel is engraved
“Fni par Gastinne Renette” and the upper right side “a Paris”. The left rear of the barrel is marked with a “crown/
GP” and “crown/V” British proof marks, and the marks are repeated
on the cylinder alternating between each chamber. Blue finish with
casehardened hammer and trigger guard, pinned blade front and
notch rear sights and fitted with smooth walnut grips. There is a
screw on the butt.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 70%
original blue finish with areas thinning to a smooth
plum, some scattered minor flaking and spotting. The
back strap has a filled hole near the top and appears
to have had a shoulder stock attached at some time,
and the barrel has a dovetail. The hammer retains 70% original case colors with a smooth gray patina on the
balance, and the trigger guard has a smooth gray patina. The grips are very good with some scattered minor
dents and dings. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3128
Early Smith & Wesson New
Model No. 3 Serial Number
“161” Single Action Revolver
with Extra Cylinder - Serial no. 161, 44 S&W
Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This early
and desirable 3 digit serial numbered S&W has a
high pinned Patridge blade front and adjustable rear notch sights. The barrel
rib is marked with the standard two-line address and patent markings. The
hammer is casehardened and the trigger has a yellow straw finish. Fitted with
checkered hard rubber grips with S&W monograms at the top. Includes an
extra cylinder chambered in .44-40 and spring assembly renumbered to match
the revolver.
CONDITION: Very fine as factory quality refinished (no star on date mark though, although
writer believes it to be factory) with 98% of the bright high
polish blue remaining, showing a drag line on the cylinder,
thinning finish on the sight blade and general handling
marks. The worn replacement grips are very good with
a light brown color, well defined checkering and some
small dings. Mechanically excellent. A protective coat
of “yellowed” varnish has been applied overall. The
extra cylinder is fine with edge wear and scratches
throughout. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3126
Interesting “EC”
Marked Smith
& Wesson New
Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 6420, 44 S&W
Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured prior to 1899, this is a solid example of a Smith &
Wesson New Model No. 3 revolver with an interesting, rarely seen “EC”
marking. The meaning of this marking is currently unknown, but another example of it
is found on one of the 250 nickel plated, 7 inch barreled New Model No. 3 revolvers cut
for shoulder stocks which were shipped to Australia for their colonial police in the early
1880s. That revolver was previously sold in our December 2009 Premier Firearms Auction
here at Rock Island Auction Company. An article in the Fall 2024 edition of the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association
Journal by Charles Pate discusses 30 New Model No. 3 revolvers shipped to Australia with 6 1/2 inch barrels, and not
cut for shoulder stocks that were also slated for the colonial police, likely for detectives and foot officers. The previously
mentioned article lists those revolvers by serial number but does not include this specific revolver. Factory records
do indicate that this revolver was shipped to M.W. Robinson in New York on 14 December 1881 in a shipment marked
for export. Interestingly, the previously mentioned “EC” marked colonial police revolver was shipped to M.W. Robinson on the
exact same day. This example is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates on top of the barrel rib, flanked by
Maltese crosses. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and on the bottom of the cylinder
latch. In addition to the serial number on the butt is a small “EC” marking below it. It is fitted with a
pinned blade front sight, notch rear sight on top of the cylinder latch, and a pair of checkered
hard rubber grips with Smith & Wesson monograms at the tops.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 95% plus of the period, likely retailer, replated nickel with some
scattered small flakes, scattered minor dings, and a cylinder drag line. The replacement grips
are also fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent. A very interesting New Model No. 3 revolver that appears to have made its way to
Australia!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3125
Very Fine Smith & Wesson New Model No.
3 Single Action Revolver with Rare Extra 4 Inch
Barrel - Serial
no. 10765,
44 S&W
Russian cal.,
6 1/2 inch
solid rib
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured by 1898, these New
Model No. 3 revolvers were cataloged
by Smith & Wesson for nearly a decade
after, with 35,796 reportedly being produced in total. Many of these revolvers, much like the Colt Single
Action Army they competed with, saw hard use on various frontiers around the world, including the American West,
leaving very few high condition examples like this one available to collectors. This particular New Model No. 3 has
the added desirability of including an extra 4 inch barrel. The standard 6 1/2 inch barrel which is fitted is marked
with the standard two-line address and patent markings on top of the rib. The matching serial number is marked
on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, bottom of the cylinder latch, and stamped inside the right grip panel. It is
fitted with a pinned blade front sight, notch rear sight on top of the cylinder latch, and a pair of diamond pattern
checkered walnut grips. The included non-matching extra barrel is 4 inches, is numbered “517635” on the rear of
the top strap, and marked on top of the rib with the two-line address and patent dates ending with 1880 and the
caliber marking “44 S.&W. CTG” on the left.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish and 90% of the vibrant case colors on the hammer
and trigger guard with some scattered small patches of light flaking showing a brown patina as well as some light
handling wear. The grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent. The extra barrel is also very fine with most of the original blue finish, some light wear, and scattered
grease residue. A rare chance at a New Model No. 3 revolver with an included extra barrel!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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