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Collector’s Fact
According to The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Supica and Nahas, only 32 Smith & Wesson No. 3 American Revolvers were manufactured for the Nashville Police Department.
LOT 88
Rare, Documented Nashville Police Department Contract Smith & Wesson No. 3 American First Model Single
Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 3489, 44 S&W American cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. As noted in the “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Jim Supica and Nahas, S&W manufactured only thirty-two No. 3 American First Model Revolver’s specifically for the Nashville Police Department in 1871 (page 104). These law enforcement revolvers are certainly a significant rarity in S&W collecting. In fact, RIAC has only sold one other Nashville Police Department S&W American, serial no. 3485 (only four digits away from this example), which was sold in 2012 (see Premier Firearms Auction #59, lot 264). The accompanying factory letter verifies that this revolver was shipped to K.I. Morris, Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, on May 6, 1871 with a 6 inch barrel, nickel finish and smooth walnut grips. The letter goes on to state that the Nashville Police contract revolvers were engraved on the back strap “Nashville Police” along with a number. This gun once had that inscription, which is no longer present. The top of the barrel rib has the one-line S&W address/patent dates marking. The walnut grips feature period added checkering as well as serrations on the butt. “A-1” is hand carved on the back of the left panel. The right grip panel is numbered to the gun. Matching assembly numbers appear on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. The revolver was displayed at the 2015 NRA Single Action Shooting Society exhibit and is pictured in the “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition” on page 104.
CONDITION: Good, exuding all of the appeal and character of a well traveled firearm with slight scattered traces of original nickel in the sheltered areas, otherwise displaying a classic smooth gray patina resulting from authentic use. The well worn, period decorated grips have similar character from years spent in the hand. Mechanically needs work. This Nashville Police Department contract Smith & Wesson No. 3 American First Model Single Action Revolver is a true rarity often missing from the most advanced S&W or law enforcement collections. It will surely be a long time before we catalog another example. Provenance: The Supica Collection; 2015 NRA Single Action Shooting Society Exhibit.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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