Page 87 - 87-BOOK2

LOT 1086
Well Documented, New York Engraved, Smith & Wesson No. 3
American 2nd Model Single Action Revolver in Rare .44 Henry
Rimfire with Relief Carved Mexican Eagle Grip and Decorated Tooled Leather Holster - Serial no. 30509, 44 Henry RF cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in 1871-1872. This is one of only an estimated 2,500 total No. 3 American Models chambered in the highly prized .44 Henry Rimfire cartridge. Many Rimfire chambered American’s went to Mexico through the S&W distributor Wexell & DeGress where
they saw hard use. The relief carved Mexican eagle on the right grip panel certainly suggests that this
example found its way south of the border. Overall this is a very rare variation of the No. 3 American that
features a period broad scroll engraving in the New York style. Includes a hand stitched heavy leather tooled holster featuring a brass eagle on the front of the body. This revolver was featured on the back cover of the February 1997 issue of the “Gun Journal” (issue included), pictured in Dean Boorman’s “The History of Smith
& Wesson Firearms” on page 106, 2nd edition of “The Illustrated History of Firearms” on page 94, “Guns of the
NRA National Sporting Arms Museum” on page 233, Supica and Nahas’“Standard Catalog of Smith &
Wesson” on pages 22 and 56 in the 2nd edition and pages 63 and 101 in the 4th edition, Chicoine’s
“Smith & Wesson Sixguns of the Old West” on pages 91, 102, 102 and 108, and Hardin’s “Old Guns
and Whispering Ghosts” on page 134, and was on display at the NRA National Sporting Arms
Museum in 2013-2022.
CONDITION: Good, exuding a classic patina of a revolver that spent a lifetime “in the saddle”. The
attractively aged, weathered grips show similar character with a chip on the bottom and
attractive aged mellow appearance. The engraving remains visible. Mechanically functions,
but needs work as the trigger is very light. The holster is fine.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1087
Documented, Rare Civilian Sale and New
York Engraved Smith & Wesson Second Model Schofield Single
Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 8275, 45 S&W Schofield
cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. In the included
factory letter this revolver is confirmed as a rare commercial Schofield that
was shipped on September 5, 1878 and delivered to M.W. Robinson of New
York City with a nickel finish. In the letter S&W historian Roy Jinks states “the
engraving was done in New York City.” As a commercial variation the revolver correctly
lacks U.S. sub inspector marks and “US” marking as found on martial contracts. These rare civilian variations of the desirable Second Model Schofield were manufactured in 1876-77. Estimates place the number of civilian guns made at approximately 650 (see Supica and Nahas’“Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” for further information). The New York engraving consist of scrollwork and zig-zag line and dot motifs which covers 75% of the surface. The butt has a period added lanyard ring that partially obscures the serial number. Matching
serial numbers appear on the butt and cylinder. The revolver was featured on the cover of the February 1997 issue of the “Gun Journal” (issue included), pictured in “Guns of the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum” on page 233, Supica and Nahas’“Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” on pages 22 and 53 of the 3rd edition and pages 63 and 101 of the 4th edition, and Dean Boorman’s “The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms” on page 107 where it is noted that “period engraved Schofields are quite scarce,” and loaned to the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum, April 2013.
CONDITION: Very good as New York engraved, with 30% of the nickel plating remaining with a smooth gray patina of a well traveled sidearm on the balance, the barrel cleaned and buffed leaving thinned engraving long ago. This decorated revolver certainly spent a lifetime as a working man’s gun, proving that all art is not just for looks! The well weathered, repaired and chipped grips show similar character. The engraving remains visible. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 10,000 - 20,000
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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN GUNS OF THE NRA MUSEUM BY SUPICA, SMITH & WESSON SIXGUNS OF THE OLD WEST BY CHICOINE, HISTORY OF S&W FIREARMS BY BOORMAN, OLD GUNS AND WHISPERING GHOSTS BY HARDIN
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK HISTORY OF S&W FIREARMS BY BOORMAN