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LOT 3143
Desirable Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Single Action Revolver
in .32-44 S&W Target with Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 2495, 32-44 S&W cal., 6
1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut stock, hard rubber grips. Manufactured
from 1887 to 1898, this is a very fine example of a Smith & Wesson New Model No.
3 Target revolver. Only 4,333 of these Target Model No. 3 revolvers were produced in their own
separate serial number range, with one of their most defining features being a set of “target” sights.
These revolvers were designed to entice the competition shooters of the period, a sport which had
reached its zenith around that time. Of the total number of this target variation produced, it is noted in “Standard Catalogue
of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas that only 2,930 were chambered in .32-44 S&W Target. The top of the barrel rib on
this example is marked with the two-line Smith & Wesson address and patent dates ending in “1871”. The matching serial
number is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and on the bottom of the cylinder latch. The inside of the grip is
hand-scratched with “35191”. It is fitted with what was considered the standard “target” sights, including a pinned, squared blade
topped with a vein bead and a adjustable notch rear sight. The fitted grips are diamond pattern checkered hard rubber with the Smith & Wesson monograms at the tops. The back strap and butt are
cut for a shoulder stock. Includes a factory walnut shoulder stock with blued mounting iron and checkered hard rubber buttplate with Smith & Wesson monogram at the center.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% of the original blue finish and 75% of the vibrant original case colors, concentrated on the hammer and sheltered areas, some mild handling wear on the grip straps, and some
scattered light handling marks including a cylinder turn line. The grips are also very fine with a few light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The stock is very fine with scattered light handling marks and
85% of the original blue finish on the mounting iron. A very desirable No. 3 Target revolver with a factory shoulder stock!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3142
Desirable and
Interesting Smith & Wesson No. 3 “American” Second Model Single Action Revolver Upgraded to Carbine Configuration with a 20 Inch
Barrel and Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 15584, 44 S&W American cal., 20 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut stock, walnut grips. Manufactured from 1872 to 1874, the
Smith & Wesson No. 3 Second Model revolver, also known as the “Second Model American”, was one of the iconic firearms of the “Wild West” period. Though always out-shined
by their Colt competitor, the Smith & Wesson “Americans” were nevertheless the preferred sidearm of some of the iconic figures of the frontier, including Wyatt Earp. Years after
production of the “American” Second Model had ceased, Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 320 to their lineup, which for all intents and purposes was just a longer barreled
version of their New Model No. 3 fitted with a shoulder stock. These “revolver-carbines” were an attempt by Smith & Wesson to break into the long gun market, but proved to be commercially
unsuccessful, leaving them scarce on the collectors market. This particular example appears to be a period modification, possibly done by the factory or an extremely talented gunsmith, to
accomplish the same goals that the Model 320 set out to achieve. There are no visible markings on the extra length, 20 inch barrel. 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. The serial number on the butt is followed by a stamped five-pointed star marking indicating that the revolver was factory reworked, lending
credence to the possibility of this barrel having been fitted by Smith & Wesson. The revolver has also been fitted with a hammer featuring an upturned spur, very similar to those seen on the Model 320, as well as
a three-leaf notch rear sight similar to those on the 320, though the base on this example is shorter. This specific piece has all the appearances of having originally been a more standard “American” Second Model,
possibly originally cut for a shoulder stock, that was later sent back to the factory to be reconfigured like the Model 320 sometime after they were released in 1879. It is possible that the original owner had upgraded their sidearm
to the New Model No. 3 and desired to have their old sidearm converted into a carbine to pair with it. The 20 inch barrel has a full length rib, with the wider portion near the breech extending the same distance as the ejector rod
housing on the bottom. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, the previously mentioned three-leaf rear sight, and a pair of smooth walnut grips. Includes an unnumbered shoulder stock with a smooth iron buttplate. The
attaching iron shows evidence of having been a later pattern but converted to be backwards compatible with the “American” Second Model, possibly by the factory at the time of the other conversion work. Also includes a modern
hardwood case fitted for the revolver and stock.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 90% plus of the factory refurbished blue and 85% of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer and trigger guard with some scattered patches of brown freckling and some scattered spots of
mild wear. A portion of the pivot point on the right of the barrel lug has been brazed on. The grips are also fine as lightly factory restored with a few minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The stock is fine with some mild
handling marks, a few brazing flaws on the attaching iron (see above), and most of the custom blue finish. The case is very fine. An extremely interesting example of a No. 3 “American” Second Model revolver converted to carbine
configuration that very well may be one-of-a-kind!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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