Page 78 - 87-BOOK2

AS PICTURED AND
DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE HISTORY OF SMITH & WESSON FIREARMS BY BOORMAN
LOT 1076
Documented Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson 44 Double Action Frontier Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 12396, 44-40 WCF cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. Offered here is a documented and rare factory engraved example of S&W’s .44 Double Action Frontier Revolver which is pictured and identified in Dean Boorman’s “The History of the Smith & Wesson Firearms” at the top of page 110. The accompanying factory letter confirms this revolver as a special order factory engraved .44 Double Action Frontier which was shipped on November 4, 1901 (all frames of this model were manufactured prior to 1899, making this gun an antique) and delivered to Charles Cricks (address not listed). It is not often that we catalog 19th-early 20th century S&Ws shipped to an individual, as it was standard factory practice to ship to an official S&W distributor. The revolver features S&W factory style no. 3 floral scroll and punch dot engraving by Oscar Young, son of Gustave
Young. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the two-line address/patent dates, “44 WINCHESTER CTG” is marked on the left side of the barrel, and the matching serial number is marked on the butt (partially removed serial number as drilled
and tapped for a lanyard, filler screw present), cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. The revolver wears a set of S&W medallion pearl grips. The revolver is pictured in the 4th edition of “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” on page 122. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel, frame and trigger guard retain 75% bright original high polish blue finish and the cylinder retains 20% original blue finish mostly in the protected areas of the flutes with a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. The engraving is crisp. 95% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. There is a small repaired chip on the right panel and slight surface chipping at the top of the left panel, otherwise the grips are very fine with highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. A very rare factory engraved 44-40 DA, seldom found are the engraved .44 Russian models. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
76
LOT 1077
Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model Target Revolver - Serial no. 32222, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Introduced in 1881. The revolver is fitted with target sights, the original 1 7/16 inch cylinder, and checkered S&W monogram embossed hard rubber grips. The barrel latch is unnumbered. The matching full serial number appears on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder and barrel.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% bright original high polish blue finish with a visible cylinder drag line, and a few scattered small patches of surface oxidation on the balance. The hammer and trigger also retain 95% original
case colors. The grips are also excellent with minimal handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An attractive Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model Target Revolver.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000