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LOT 3195
Desirable Wells Fargo
Marked U.S. Smith &
Wesson First Model Schofield Single
Action Revolver - Serial no. 2452, 45 S&W Schofield
cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. This
revolver is one of 3,000 First Model Schofields purchased
by the U.S. Government. They were used by the U.S. Army for only a few years before being sold as surplus on the civilian market and used in the West by Wells Fargo express agents and many others. The U.S. military markings include “US” stamped on the butt, “L” and “P” stamped
on the barrel, and “L” on the rear cylinder face and frame. The
right side of the ejector rod shroud has the Wells Fargo marking: “W.F.&CO. EX. 2452”. The barrel has been shortened during its
period of use, as was common with 19th century revolvers
purchased by the various express companies. Matching serial
number on the butt, right grip panel and cylinder. Matching
serial numbers on the butt, right grip
panel and cylinder.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 85% plus period retailer
applied nickel plating. Patterns of case colors remain
on the hammer. The grips are fine with high edge
wear and minor dings and scratches.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3196
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action
Revolver - Serial no. 20756, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2
inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. All
frames manufactured by 1898. The barrel rib has the two-line
legend ending with the re-issue patent date. Matching serial number
on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch, The serial
number on the butt has been remarked to accommodate the lanyard ring.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% plus original nickel finish with some scattered dings and scratches, 60% original case colors remaining on the hammer, and the trigger guard retains patterns of case colors, mostly faded to a gray. The grips are fine with a hairline crack visible on the bottom (left panel) and a few blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3197
Smith &
Wesson New
Model No. 3
Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 6971, 44 S&W
Russian cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber
grips. All frames manufactured by 1898. The barrel rib has
the two-line legend ending with the re-issue patent date.
The cylinder is a replacement (“7071”). Matching serial number on the
butt, barrel latch, and barrel.
CONDITION: The barrel and frame retain 90% original nickel finish and the
cylinder retains traces of original nickel finish with the balance a smooth gray patina. The front sight modified and previous owner initials are hand marked on butt. The grips are good with worn checkering. Hammer has an extra notch, otherwise action functions properly.
Estimate: 1,100 - 1,600
128
LOT 3198
Rare Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target
.32/44 Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 27997,
32-44 cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber
grips. This is a very rare New Model No. 3 Target .32-44 Revolver
as it is numbered in the regular .44 New Model No. 3 serial number range,
making it one of only 50 known to have been manufactured in this series.
The left side of the grip frame has the S&W factory September 1945 (“9.45”)
return date and S&W factory diamond refinish mark. Matching serial numbers
appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. Per the
included factory letter, this revolver remains “open on the records, therefore
there is no shipping information available. We can state that this revolver was
built in 1889 and that the group of 50 units that included this serial number
are all open on the records and were all completed as target models in both
.32-44 and .38-44 cartridges. We do not have an explanation as to why they
were never logged out of the company.”
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 99% plus of the factory reapplied blue finish
with a light cylinder drag line. Nearly all of the case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are excellent with a few minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,000
LOT 3199
Japanese Navy Contract
Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian Second Model Single
Action Revolver - Serial no. 2498, 44 S&W Russian cal.,
7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The Japanese
government purchased 5,000 units of this model, within their own serial
number range of 1-9000 and originally shipped through distributor H.
Ahren & Co. of London, England, agents for the Japanese Government.
This example has a Japanese Navy marking (an anchor) on the underside of the frame ahead of the trigger. The barrel rib also has the one-line S&W legend ending with
the reissue date. “Russian Model” in the barrel marking was omitted due
to Japan’s strained political relationship with Russia. The revolver has
mis-matched numbers, not uncommon with military issued sidearms.
Note the barrel, barrel rib and cylinder have the same host gun serial
number (“2397”).
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% arsenal refurbished blue finish with a
smooth brown patina on the balance. The Japanese Navy anchor is clear.
The grips are also fine with some minor handling marks. Mechanically
functions, but is slightly out of time.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3200
Smith
& Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action
Revolver - Serial no. 31297, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6
1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. All
frames manufactured by 1898. The barrel rib has the one-
line legend. Lanyard ring mounted on butt. Matching serial number on
the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% plus original blue finish with thinning to
brown on the balance. 90% original case colors remain on the hammer, and the
trigger guard has faded to a gray. The grips are very good with a chip towards the bottom (right panel), some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500