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LOT 3119
Very Fine Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Single Action Revolver Inscribed “Presented to Henry C. Thwing” with Factory Letter - Serial no. 2481, 32-44 cal., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The included factory letter lists this revolver as shipped on July 23, 1896, to Simmons Hardware Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish. The revolver has a pinned bead style blade front sight, target rear sight, two-line address and patent marking ending in the 1871 reissue date, matching serial numbers (barrel, latch, cylinder, and butt as well as hand marked in the right grip which has also 2482 cross out). The backstrap inscription “PRESENTED TO HENRY C. THWING.” is cut through the finish. Thwing’s identity has not been confirmed, but there is a Henry “Hank” Clinton Thwing (1861-1940) of
Belleville, Illinois, who was identified as a retired court reporter who had been active in that position for 45 years. The Belleville Daily Advocate’s obituary for Thwing indicates that he had been
“a soldier of fortune” in the West and Southwest as a young man in Texas, California, and elsewhere prior to returning to Belleville in 1890. Letters to a Henry C. Thwing are footnoted in the book “Pender Harbour Cowboy: The Many Lives of Bernard Sinclair.” Henry Clay Thwing (1844-1927) born in Wisconsin was a farmer in Garden Prairie, Iowa, and died in Nebraska and is also a possibility. Includes a tag identifying it as from Jim Supica’s collection. CONDITION: Fine with 95% original nickel plating remaining, some light speckling, crisp inscription, and light handling and storage marks. The grips are also very fine and have slight aging, crisp checkering, and minimal wear. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
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