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LOT 80
Documented New York Engraved Turkish Contract Smith & Wesson
Russian 3rd Model Revolver in Scarce .44 Rimfire Henry with Holster and Factory Letter and Photographed in Several Publications - Serial no. 6410, 44 Henry RF cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. As noted in the
included factory letter, “This revolver was one of 340 units built at the request of the Turkish Government.” These rare “Turkish models” were standard Russian models converted
to .44 Henry Rimfire. Records are not available to know which contract revolvers were forwarded to Turkey as the revolvers were delivered from the factory to S&W’s New York distributor and acting Turkish government agent M.W. Robinson. This revolver was shipped on April 18, 1877. Around
5,000 Russian 3rd Model revolvers were ordered by Turkey. The revolver was subsequently period New York style engraved. S&W historian Roy Jinks noted the engraving in the factory letter: “The [Turkish contract] revolvers
were plain handguns with smooth wood grips upon shipment. Based on the photograph you forwarded it is my opinion that the engraving was completed by a New York City engraver.” The revolver is decorated with
excellent quality New York style broad scrollwork on a punch dot background covering 80% of the surface. The barrel
rib has the legend ending with the reissue date. A lanyard ring is mounted on the butt. The back of the right grip is stamped
with the frame serial number. The cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch are also numbered to the gun. With a star and moon
embossed leather flap holster. These rare “Turkish models” saw hard use and when encountered are generally in rough
condition. The high condition of this revolver along with its New York engraving is certainly a standout example. According
to our consignor the revolver came out of England. The revolver is pictured in Jim Supica and Richard Nahas’“Standard
Catalog of Smith & Wesson” on page 110, David Chicoine’s “Smith & Wesson Sixguns of the Old West” on pages 120 and 122, Dean
Boorman’s “The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms” on page 105, and Michael Kennelly’s “Smith & Wesson Engraving” on page 72.
CONDITION: Fine as period New York engraved, retaining 90% period replated nickel finish. The engraving is crisp. The undersized grips are fine with some typical age lines, some minor handling marks, and attractive color. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good. A rare Turkish Contract S&W Russian 3rd Model Revolver with attractive New York engraving.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 81
Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action Frontier Target Revolver Presentation Inscribed to
a Belgian Artillery Officer - Serial no. 7689, 44 WCF cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, antique
ivory grips. This S&W .44 Double Action Frontier target revolver features a presentation inscription to Belgian artillery Major Robert Reyntiens (1860-1913). Major Robert Reyntiens was a graduate of the Artillery Section of
the Bruxelles Military Academy in 1877 and married Lady Alice Josephine Bertie, the daughter of the 7th Earl of Abingdon, in 1897 after the death of his first wife. He resigned from the military with the rank of captain in 1898 but returned to military service
in 1903 after abruptly resigning as the Belgian representative to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following intense quarrels with IOC President Pierre de Coubertin. Purportedly their disparagements became so heated the two men almost resorted to a duel. At
this time the weapon of choice for a duel was sword, and de Coubertin would have been at a great disadvantage as Major Reyntiens was a renowned fencer. Reyntiens was not a stranger to the duel. Military records show that the major was sentenced to eight days in prison and fined by a Brussels criminal court for assisting in a duel as a second. He held several military honors including knight of the Order of Saint Anne of Russia (3rd class), knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, knight 3rd class of the
Order of the Crown of Prussia, and officer of the Order of the Oak Crown and served as the first commander of the Ecole mitaire d’Escrime when the school was established in 1885 as well as aide-de-camp to Belgian King Leopold II. Also, an avid footballer he would go on to become
the founding president of the football section of the Leopold Club de Bruxelles. Reyntiens was not the only one in the family with a sports background. His son went on to compete in jumping at the 1912 Olympics. The revolver was presented to Major Reyntiens when he was a captain in 1891 and based on the inscription the presentation occurred at a competition where the revolver was the 4th prize. The top strap is inscribed “H JAS A BRUXELLES,” a retailer in Brussels. The back strap has the presentation inscription: “COUCOURS AU VISE DE 1891/4me PRIX AU/CAPITAINE R. REYNTIENS.” The revolver is fitted with a pinned beaded blade front sight and a square notch adjustable rear sight. This model is seldom found with original target sights. The barrel rib has the two-line S&W address/patent dates marking. Belgian proofs are stamped
on the rear cylinder face: Liege proof and “*/B” proof. Additional “*/B” proofs are stamped on the right side of the barrel and frame. The barrel
latch is unnumbered. Matching serial numbers are on the butt, cylinder, and barrel. All frames for this model were manufactured pre-1899, but
finished revolvers were shipped as late as 1913.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and frame retain 40% original blue finish and the cylinder retains 20% original blue finish with a smooth gray
patina on the balance. The inscription is crisp. The slightly age shrunken replacement grips are also fine with some scattered handling marks and highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. An interesting S&W .44 DA Frontier target revolver presentation inscribed to a known Belgian artillery officer.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
76 Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500