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Of the 977 Smith & Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifles produced, only 239 were produced with a 16 inch barrel
LOT 3191 Scarce Smith & Wesson Model 320 Single Action Revolving Rifle with 16 Inch Barrel and Stock - Serial no. 885, 320 cal., 16 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured 1879 to 1887 with a total production of only 977, this is one of the rarest Smith & Wesson firearms produced. Of the 977 manufactured, 840 remained in the U.S., 137 were exported and only 239 were made with the 16 inch barrels. Serial numbered from 1 to 977. This scarce and unusual revolving rifle was manufactured using the frame, cylinder and basic action of the New Model No. 3 revolver with some minor differences in the hammer and trigger and the barrel composed of two pieces. A slot is cut into the butt and a hole drilled in the back strap to accommodate the shoulder stock. The rifle features a 16 inch barrel with a two leaf folding rear sight and blade front sight on a solid
rib marked with the two line address/patent date marking. The serial number is found on the butt, barrel, barrel latch and cylinder. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and trigger guard. The barrel is fitted with a checkered red mottled hard rubber forearm with the S&W monogram. The grips are matching with S&W monograms in a circle at the top. The stock is smooth walnut with blue finished attaching iron and a checkered hard rubber buttplate with S&W monogram. The stock tang is fitted with the rare factory peep sight. CONDITION: Very fine. The revolving rifle retains 80% original high polish blue finish with a smooth blended brown patina on the balance. The hammer and trigger guard retain 70% original case colors. The forearm and grips are excellent with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically fine. The stock is very fine with 85% original blue finish remaining on the attaching hardware and some scattered minor handling marks on the wood. A .320 Revolving Rifle worthy of addition to any collection of antique S&W’s! Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 3192
Cased Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Target Revolver with Rare 5 Inch Barrel - Serial no. 29999, 44 S&W Russian cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, antique ivory grips. Introduced in 1878. This very fine S&W New Model No. 3 Revolver has a rare and desirable non-standard 5 inch barrel which is numbered to the gun. Standard barrel length was 6 1/2 inches. The revolver is equipped with a pinned blade target front sight and an adjustable “U” notch rear sight. The top of the barrel rib is stamped with the one- line Springfield address marking, and the right side of the frame has the S&W monogram. The barrel latch is un-numbered. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder and barrel. Includes a period leather bound partitioned case lined in royal purple velvet. The interior of the lid has a cardboard S&W Directions For Use label. The case features a pair of leather closure straps and contains a bore brush, a few cleaning patches, a Dixon & Sons oiler, and a rare full box of period UMC .44 S&W Russian cartridges. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and very limited light pitting. 95% original case colors on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are excellent with minimal minor handling marks and highly attractive grain and color. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with minor handling/storage marks and scuffs on the leather and some typical high spot wear on the lining. Overall a very nice rare- barrel length New Model No. 3 Target Revolver shooting set. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
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