Page 106 - 87-BOOK3

LOT 3125
Documented Australian Contract Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action
AS PICTURED AND
DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE HISTORY OF SMITH & WESSON FIREARMS BY BOORMAN
104
Revolver with Holster, S&W Shoulder Stock and Scabbard - Serial no. 12864, 44 S&W Russian cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Only approximately 310
Smith & Wesson New Model 3 Australian revolvers were manufactured, all with nickel finish, 7 inch barrels, and detachable shoulder stocks. They were shipped to Australia for the Southern Australian Colonial Police and carried in holster and scabbard on horseback in the wild Australian outback. This example is
pictured in Dean Boorman’s “The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms” on page 109 and is listed by serial number in LTC Charles W. Pate’s article “Smith & Wesson’s Australian Model” published in the May/June 1988 issue of Man at Arms (article excerpt included). It has the two-line barrel rib marking ending with the reissue patent date, an Australian broad arrow stamped on the butt, and matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. A S&W factory
rework star is stamped on the butt, and a May 1956 factory return date (“5 56”) is stamped on the left side of the grip frame. The stock is numbered to a different gun (“12802”) and has an Australian broad arrow, nickel plated hardware, and S&W hard rubber buttplate. The leather flap holster is marked with an Australian broad arrow proof along with the rack number “129” on the inside of the flap. The leather stock scabbard is stamped with an Australian
broad arrow and the rack number “93” on the inside.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 98% plus of the factory refinished nickel. 60% of the case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are very good with some worn checkering and minor handling marks. The stock is fine with the hardware retaining most of the nickel plating and minor dings and scratches on the walnut. The holster and scabbard are both very good showing typical age cracking and overall tight stitching. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 3,500 - 4,750
LOT 3126
Scarce and Documented Japanese Navy Contract Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 26877, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Offered here is a New Model No. 3 Revolver
purchased by the Japanese Navy. These Japanese contract guns were exported to Japan via distributors Ahrens and Takata & Co. starting in 1879 and are today rarely found in the U.S. The Takata guns were standardized with a 6 1/2 inch barrel as seen on this example. The accompanying factory letter confirms the revolver was shipped on October 4, 1890 to Takata & Co. located in New York City and Yokohama, Japan. An included handwritten note of provenance from Sioux City, Iowa, antique firearms dealer David C. Fry states the revolver was confiscated in 1949 by a South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Chief from a “bum” who acquired it in Japan as a World War II bring back. Per our consignor this was his first S&W New Model No. 3 he owned and the revolver was loaned to S&W Performance Center as the model gun to design a reproduction circa 2002-2004, but the project was canceled after S&W
discontinued their Schofield reproduction. The S&W return of loan memo for this revolver is also included. The revolver has mismatched parts, which is common with Japanese contract New Model No. 3s. The butt has a Japanese anchor (lacks wavy lines) believed to be the marking of the Toyokawa Naval Base. The revolver’s serial number is pictured in Supica and Nahas “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition” on page 117 as well as in the 1st edition on page 67. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% of the arsenal refurbished blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The replacement grips are also fine with some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare Japanese Navy S&W New Model No. 3 Revolver with a very interesting back story. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000