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SERIAL NUMBER 38
LOT 3120
Documented, Desirable Two Digit Serial Number 38 Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Frontier Single Action Target Revolver - Serial no. 38, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. This revolver is one of 2,072 originally chambered in .44-40 WCF. Many of these revolvers were converted by
S&W to .44 Russian, a more popular cartridge for New Model No. 3s at the time to be able to sell the Frontier Model to a wider audience. A total of 786 converted Frontier Models in .44 Russian were shipped to the Japanese government. This revolver is highly desirable among today’s collectors and remains in well above average condition. The revolver is pictured and identified
in Supica and Nahas’ “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition” on page 121 and David Chicoine’s “Smith & Wesson Sixguns of the Old West” on pages 145 and 146. Chicoine notes the revolver is fitted with factory target sights, “an unusual option for the Frontier Models.” Besides the target sights, the revolver has a correct 1 9/16 inch cylinder, two-line address/ patent dates legend on the barrel rib, unnumbered barrel latch, and matching two digit serial number “38” on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and barrel latch. The Frontier Model was issued in its own serial number range 1-2072. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 90% frosted original nickel plating. 40% original case colors remain on the hammer. The trigger guard has faded to a gray. The grips are fine with minimal handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A highly sought after non-converted S&W New Model No. 3 Frontier revolver with rare target sights. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 3121
San Francisco Police Issued U.S. Smith & Wesson Second Model Schofield Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 5161, 45 S&W Schofield cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured for the U.S. military and later issued to the San Francisco Police Department by Benicia Arsenal. Approximately 300 Schofield models were issued to the San Francisco Committee of Safety during the labor riots and civil unrest of 1877-78 caused by the great railroad strikes that sprung up in many large cities across the United States. Records do exist for these 300 revolvers being issued;
however, no records exist of them being returned and it is popular belief that once the riots were put down all the revolvers were obtained by the California militia. This example is stamped with the rack number “250” behind the hammer. The butt is stamped “US,” U.S. Ordnance sub-inspector stamps “E” and “P” are on the rear of the cylinder and underside of the barrel lug, mismatched serial number “7148” on the cylinder, and matching serial number “5161” on the butt and right grip panel. Each grip panel has a script letter cartouche while the left panel is also dated “1876.” This revolver was displayed at the 2015 NRA Single Action Shooting Society exhibit. CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 30% original blue finish with a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. The grips are also very good with minor dings and scratches and legible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. A desirable San Francisco Police issued U.S. Smith & Wesson Second Model Schofield
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK SMITH & WESSON SIXGUNS OF THE OLD WEST BY CHICOINE
Revolver that displays honest wear and use.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3122
Documented New York Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 3
Russian 3rd Model Revolver with Relief Mexican Eagle Pearl Grip and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 1862, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Offered
here is a S&W No. 3 Russian 3rd Model Revolver featuring excellent quality New York period scroll engraving
on punch dot background covering 90% of the surface. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish when shipped on May 13, 1877 and delivered to Schuyler Hartley & Graham of New York City. Schuyler Hartley & Graham likely furnished the engraving and pearl grips. The right grip panel features a relief carved Mexican eagle. The butt has a large “A.C.” stamping known to be
a Mexican distributor marking. The revolver would have certainly been a fitting presentation piece for a
wealthy businessman or rancher in Mexico, and certainly has the look of a well-traveled firearm that spent
a lifetime in the harsh climate south of the border. This finely engraved S&W did not sit in a locked drawer!
Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. The revolver was featured
on the cover of the February 1997 issue of Gun Journal (issue included), pictured in Jesse Hardin’s “Old
Guns and Whispering Ghosts” on page 134 and Supica and Nahas’ “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson”
on pages 22 and 54 in the 2nd edition and page 63 in the 4th edition, and Dean Boorman’s “The History
of Smith & Wesson Firearms” on page 105, and displayed at the NRA Single Action Shooting Society (SASS)
Exhibit 2015.
CONDITION: Fine as period New York engraved and exhibiting a classic as found untouched original patina
while retaining 40% of retailer applied nickel plating in the protected areas. The engraving is crisp overall.
The grips are very good and show similar character with wear and chips from spending a lifetime in a holst
and in the hand. Mechanically excellent. A well-traveled but well-maintained sidearm that is a physical link to the past. Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OLD GUNS & WHISPERING GHOSTS BY HARDIN