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LOT 3123
Scarce and Very Desirable Documented U.S. Ainsworth Inspected Smith & Wesson “Oil Hole” Model 3 American 1st Model Revolver - Serial no. 486, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This revolver is listed/documented by its serial number in the “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Jim Supica & Richard Nahas on page 91 and in “Smith & Wesson American Model” by Charles Pate on page 192 as one of the 1,000 Model 3s that was purchased by the U.S. government in 1871. Compounding the significance of this revolver is the rarely observed oil hole (located on the rear of the extractor housing on the bottom of the barrel lug) as found on the first 1,500 or so of this model. The barrel rib has the one-line S&W address/patent dates marking followed by “US.” The frame carries the desirable U.S. Orville W. Ainsworth sub-inspector’s “A” initial on the left side and a “P” proof on the right side next to the recoil shield. An additional “P” proof is marked on the right side of the barrel forward the hinge. An additional Ainsworth “A” is stamped on the left side of the top strap. A script letter “OWA” inspector’s cartouche is marked on the left grip panel. The right grip panel is numbered to the gun. Matching assembly marks are found on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. The revolver is pictured and identified in Dean Boorman’s “The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms” on pages 1 and 106 and was displayed at the NRA Single Action Shooting Society exhibit in 2015. The S&W American Model was the first cartridge revolver adopted by the U.S. military and saw use in the Indian Wars as it was reported to have been issued to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Cavalry. Surviving examples of U.S. martial Model 3 Americans, especially early production oil hole examples, are scarce and highly desirable in any condition. CONDITION: Very good plus as one of the early 1,000 Smith & Wesson Model 3 American 1st Model Revolvers purchased by the U.S. government. The revolver remains in an as found condition with 25% of original blue finish remaining in the protected areas and grips with a couple small chips. The cartouche is legible. This revolver certainly has the look of seeing action in the Western frontier during the Indian Wars. Barrel latch does not hold spring tension, otherwise, mechanically excellent. An early U.S. oil hole Model 3 American highly sought after by collectors. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 3124
San Francisco Police Marked U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 2705, 45 S&W 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 Schofields were issued to the San Francisco Committee of Safety during the labor riots and civil unrest of 1877-78. The riots and unrest were a result of the Great Railroad strike of 1877 that sprung up in many large cities across the United States. Records do exist of 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. The revolver is stamped with the rack number “385” behind the hammer, has unnumbered grips marked with U.S. style cartouches, and has a cylinder numbered to the gun. Comes with a copy of Charles Pate’s article “The San Francisco S&W Schofield Revolver.” CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 40% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown-gray patina with some pitting mostly on the barrel. Traces of original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The replacement grips are very good with some minor handling marks and remarked cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE HISTORY OF SMITH & WESSON FIREARMS BY BOORMAN
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