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LOT 73
Special Order Young Family
Shop Engraved Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Single
Action Revolver with Exceptional Relief Carved Mexican Eagle Grip and Factory
Letters Indicating Target Champion and NRA Historical Association - Serial no. 29731, 44 cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, antique ivory grips. Engraved in the Young family shop, this is a Smith & Wesson No. 3 revolver with target sights and fine carved Mexican eagle and snake grips.
The revolver features nicely executed scroll and punch dot engraving on the sides of the barrel, cylinder, and frame. The front end is mismatched to the frame, but the engraving is nearly identical, indicating it was done by the same hand. The trigger and hammer are
finely checkered. The engraving covers approximately one-third of the revolver. The revolver has a high-polish blue finish, casehardened hammer, trigger and trigger guard. The revolver is fitted with target front and rear sights. The front sight blade is topped with a bead
and inserted in a groove on the barrel rib. The adjustable target type rear sight is mounted on the barrel catch. The grips are later replacements. The S&W New Model No. 3 two-line address is located on the top of the barrel rib. The serial number “29731” is stamped on
the butt. The cylinder and barrel are numbered “32530”. The barrel latch is unnumbered. Factory letters for both serial numbers (29731 and 32530) are included. Per the factory letters,
both guns were special orders, but there are no details for the special features nor of how they came together, which would certainly be an interesting story. No. 29731 is listed with
a 6 1/2 inch barrel and was shipped on August 22, 1901 and delivered to National Rifle Association Secretary A.S. Janes of Washington D.C. No. 32530 is listed with a 7 inch barrel and was shipped on March 6,
1898 and delivered to American pistol champion G. Armstrong of San Francisco. All frames for these revolvers were manufactured prior to 1899, which makes the gun an antique, but were cataloged into the early
1900s. This is still a handsome New Model Number 3 with genuine period engraving that appears to be done by a member of the Young family.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% thinning original blue remaining on the barrel mostly in protected areas the balance a smooth gray patina. The frame retains 90% original blue finish with the majority of the wear on the backstrap. The hammer and trigger guard retain 40% original case colors. The grips are excellent and have taken on a pleasant mellow tone and the carving is crisp. A nice representation example of the Young family style engraving on a S&W New Model No. 3 Revolver.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 74
Very Rare U.S. Smith & Wesson Second Model Schofield Single Action Revolver Converted to .450 Boxer for NRA Imperial Meeting Target Competitions - Serial no.
3358, 450 Boxer cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Originally manufactured for the U.S. military circa 1876-77 with total production approximately 5,934, this very interesting and historically significant U.S. S&W Schofield revolver later received a very rare target conversion to .450 Boxer for use at the NRA’s Imperial Meetings. The conversion consists of an additional plate added to the
recoil shield to reduce the head space and modified sights. First held at Wimbledon Common in 1860 with the inaugural shot fired by Queen Victoria, the Imperial Meetings were initially opened to only regular and reserve
military personnel competing with issued service small arms. The competition moved to Bisley Camp in 1890 and is today one of world’s leading shooting competitions open to all who qualify. Revolvers classed as Military Revolver were mandated to carry British
government ammunition. To compete therefore required the U.S. Army’s Schofield chambered in .45 S&W to be converted to a British service cartridge. The .450 Boxer was the British Army’s first centerfire revolver cartridge circa late 1860s and considered obsolete in 1880 but remained in service as late as World War I. The revolver retains the U.S. Ordnance sub-inspector stamps “W” and “P” on the underside of the barrel lug and
rear cylinder face. “US” is stamped on the butt, and the number “9004” is stamped on the bottom of the left grip panel. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, and cylinder. Many Schofield revolvers were issued to the 4th Cavalry which saw service in the “Geronimo
Campaign” and the famous 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry comprised of the “Buffalo Soldiers” stationed in the American Southwest. Pictured in the 4th edition of Supica and Nahas’ “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” on page 113.
CONDITION: Fine as period converted to .450 Boxer for the historic Imperial Meeting target competitions, retaining 50% plus original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. The grips are also fine with minor handling marks. Slight play in the cylinder when the hammer is fully cocked, otherwise action functions fine. A historically significant and very rare U.S. Second Model Schofield Revolver converted to .450 Boxer specifically for NRA Imperial Meeting target competitions that is a must have for the serious S&W collector.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
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