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LOT 83
Desirable Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action Frontier Revolver with Bridgeport Rig Stud - Serial no. 7977, 44 WCF cal., 4 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. This example has the rare and desirable Bridgeport rig stud on the sideplate. The Bridgeport rig, which is not included with this lot, was patented by Louis S. Flatau of Pittsburg, Texas, in 1882 and manufactured by the Bridgeport Gun Implement Co. of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Approximately 500 units were manufactured for U.S. Army trial issue and were attached to Model 1874 saber belts at the Rock Island Arsenal. The rig allowed for a revolver to be quickly disengaged from the belt or swiveled and fired from the belt. The Army determined that it was not suitable for issue and sold the remaining devices as surplus. A smaller number of the Bridgeport rigs were manufactured for the civilian market where it enjoyed limited success among those on the Western frontier. The Bridgeport rig stud is original, and the accompanying Bridgeport rig plate is a reproduction. The revolver is also fitted with a rare 4 inch barrel. It has the correct 1 9/16 inch cylinder that is numbered to the gun. The right grip panel, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch are also numbered to the gun. All frames for this model were manufactured pre-1899, but finished revolvers were shipped as late as 1913. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 40% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are very fine with a series of light scratches on the bottom and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A desirable S&W .44 Double Action Frontier revolver with rare Bridgeport rig stud that would look great in any S&W or Western frontier collection. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 84
Smith & Wesson Number 3 American 2nd Model Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 15128, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The American model was introduced 3 years before the Colt Single Action Army revolver and is probably, more than any other model, associated with the historic American West. As S&W expert Roy Double pointed out over fifty years ago, “This was a work gun; a big, heavy-caliber holster gun worn openly and ready to hand; a timely gun indigenous to America on the move and a part of America’s greatest adventures.” Difficult to obtain in any condition, this American Model revolver is indeed a rare and desirable firearm. Matching assembly numbers appear on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. The right grip panel is serialized “11692,” and both grip panels have been personalized with an inlaid “D” above the screw escutcheon. CONDITION: Very good plus, as a revolver showing great “frontier character” with a classic smooth brown-gray patina overall while retaining 20% original blue finish in the protected areas and period personalized grips with attractive grain pattern. Mechanically excellent. A solid example to one of America’s frontier guns. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 85
Documented New York Engraved Scarce 5 Inch Barrel Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Frontier Single Action Revolver Single Action Revolver in .44-40 WCF - Serial no. 530, 44-40 WCF cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., silver finish, antique ivory grips. This is an early production example of the 2,072 New Model No. 3 Frontiers manufactured in their own serial number range (1-2072) starting in 1885. The revolver remains in its original .44 WCF configuration. An estimated 786 were converted to .44 S&W Russian and exported to Japan. Finding an example in original .44 WCF is becoming difficult. Adding to this revolver’s rarity and desirability is the New York style floral scroll engraving which covers 80% of the surface. The backstrap has a blank inscription panel. The revolver has the two-line S&W address/patent dates barrel rib marking, rare 5 inch barrel, correct 1 9/16 inch cylinder, and matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. Noted S&W historian and author Jim Supica states the barrel length and engraving makes this revolver extremely rare, possibly a one-of-a-kind. The revolver is pictured in Jesse Hardin’s “Old guns and Whispering Ghosts” on page 134 and certainly has the appearance of spending a lifetime on the Western frontier. CONDITION: Good overall, exuding a classic patina of a revolver that spent a “lifetime in the saddle” with slight traces of silver plating remaining in the sheltered areas and grips with attractive color. Mechanically fine. This revolver has all the hallmarks of a working gun of the period that brings to life the spirit of the Old West and proves all art does not hang on the wall! Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 86
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver with Rare Short Barrel - Serial no. 13448, 44 S&W Russian cal., 4 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, antique ivory grips. This New Model No. 3 has a sought after and rare 4 1/2 inch barrel with the late one-line S&W address. Any length less than the standard 6 1/2 inches was special order. The revolver will letter as shipped on February 18, 1880 with a 5 1/2 inch barrel; however, the 4 1/2 barrel appears factory. Although the barrel and cylinder are numbered to the gun, the numbers have been remarked. The barrel latch is numbered to the gun. The left side of the frame has a factory return date for June 1911 (“6.11”), and this is likely when the 4 1/2 inch barrel was mated to the revolver. The revolver wears a set of S&W medallion grips. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The well weathered and worn undersize grips are fair. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OLD GUNS AND WHISPERING GHOSTS BY HARDIN