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World renowned Master Engraver Gustave Young worked with Smith & Wesson as early as 1865 after serving as Colt’s Master Engraver and was the in-house engraver for Smith & Wesson starting in 1869 until his death in 1895. His sons, Oscar, Eugene, and Robert, also worked for Smith & Wesson and used similar styles. On this revolver Young’s fine exhibition quality scrollwork covering 90% of the surfaces. Even the hammer features near full coverage engraving. Both sides of the frame are decorated with detailed charging cavalry scenes inside large oval panels. The scene was likely inspired by the famous 1882 print by Adolf Schreyer of an Ottoman cavalry charge. It
is interesting to speculate as to why this subject matter was chosen by S&W for international exposition. Romanticized “oriental” themes were popular in the era but are not often seen on American firearms. It is possible that S&W hoped to attract Middle Eastern sales. The hammer
and trigger guard are casehardened, and the remaining surfaces are blued. Matching full serial number appears on the butt, cylinder and barrel. The revolver is fitted with a pinned Lyman beaded blade front sight, adjustable target rear sight, and highly attractive pearl grips.
At the NRA Annual Meetings in Kansas City, Missouri, in May 2001, this gun was awarded the coveted “10 Best” Silver Medal Arms Award, “one of a maximum of ten certificates awarded each year to arms of outstanding historical value, or beauty, or rarity, selected from displays of the NRA’s Affiliated Gun Collector Organizations.”
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