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LOT 1088
Very Scarce
and Desirable
Documented U.S. Ainsworth Inspected Smith &
Wesson No. 3 1st Model American Revolver
- Serial no. 2002, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch
solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. This
revolver is listed by serial number as one of the
1,000 First Model Americans purchased by the
U.S. government in the “Standard Catalog of
Smith & Wesson” (4th edition) by Jim Supica and
Richard Nahas on page 106 and “Smith & Wesson
American Model” by Charles Pate on page 195
and was displayed at the 2015 NRA Single Action
Shooting Society exhibit. The barrel rib has the
one-line S&W address/patent dates marking followed by “US.” The frame has U.S.
sub-inspector’s marks “A” on the left side, and the frame lacks the “P” proof as is
correct for nickel plated U.S. examples. Traces of a cartouche remain on the left grip
panel. Matching assembly marks appear on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel, and barrel
latch. The right grip panel is numbered to the gun. The S&W American Model was the first cartridge revolver adopted by the U.S. military and saw use throughout the Indian Wars as it was reported to have been issued to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Cavalry. Surviving examples of U.S. martial Model 3 Americans are scarce and highly desirable in any condition.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining most of an old period replated nickel with a number of scratches on the cylinder. The grips are very good displaying a faint cartouche, high edge wear and minor handling marks as well as personalized with six “kill tallies” on the left panel. The ejector does not function, otherwise the action cycles properly. A desirable survivor of the Indian Wars.
Provenance: The Supica Collection; 2015 NRA Single Action Shooting Society Exhibit.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1089
San Francisco Police Marked U.S. Smith
& Wesson First Model Schofield Single Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 219, 45
chofield cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured for the U.S. military circa 1876-77 with a total
roduction of approximately 5,934. This revolver was later issued o the San Francisco Police Department by Benicia Arsenal and
marked “332” at top of back strap. Approximately 300 Schofields were issued to the San Francisco Committee of Safety during
he labor riots and civil unrest of 1877-78. The riots and unrest
were a result of the great railroad strikes of 1877 that sprung up in many large cities across the United States. Records do exist of these 300 revolvers being issued; however, no records exist of them being
returned, and it is popular belief that once the riots were put down all the revolvers were obtained by the California militia. U.S. Ordnance “P” and “L” stampings appear on the barrel and rear cylinder face, and a U.S. cartouche appears on the left grip panel. The butt is stamped “US.” Matching serial numbers are found on the butt, right grip panel and cylinder. Front sight blade is a later replacement. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on July 12, 1875, with a 7 inch barrel, blue finish and smooth walnut grips and delivered to U.S. National Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The frame retains 35% plus original blue finish and traces of original blue finish remain on the barrel; otherwise, the revolver has a smooth brown patina mixed with some pitting. Traces of original case colors remain. The grips are fine with a number of handling marks (heavier on the bottoms) and legible cartouche. Mechanically excellent. A fine low serial number 1st Model Schofield with San Francisco Police markings.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 1090
Smith & Wesson
Russian 2nd Model Single
Action Revolver with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 22794, 44 S&W
Russian cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., nickel
finish, walnut grips. The accompanying
factory letter confirms the 7 inch barrel,
nickel finish and smooth walnut grips. The
revolver was shipped on May 20, 1874, and delivered to M.W.
Robinson, of New York City. This shipment was for ten nickel
plated revolvers ordered for Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York
City. The butt has the Schuyler, Hartley & Graham “SH” in a diamond distributor marking. This is one of a few hundred No. 3 Russians S&W manufactured for the Russian government but were rejected and sold on the commercial market. These revolvers have serial numbers on the major components instead of assembly numbers as found on commercial guns and were remarked with the English barrel rib markings. The barrel rib has the one-line S&W address/patent markings ending in “RUSSIAN MODEL.” Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch (“794”).
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% original nickel plating. Slight patterns
of case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are fine
with some minor dings and scratches. Hammer firing pin is partially broken. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON, 4TH EDITION BY SUPICA & NAHAS
LOT 1091
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver with Pearl Grips - Serial no. 35168, 44 S&W Russian cal., 4 inch solid rib
bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. In 1878 S&W introduced the New Model No. 3, and it was an instant success. Its design drew on handling and mechanical improvements from its popular predecessors, the American,
S
p t
t
Russian and Schofield models, and spawned a series of wide ranging variations, including a target model that dominated target competition in the late 19th century. This example has a desirable short barrel of 4 inches. Standard barrel length was 6
1/2 inches. The left side of the barrel is stamped “44 S&W CTG.” This model rarely had caliber markings. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% plus original nickel finish. Traces of original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are fine with minimal handling marks, stripped screw, and attractive colors. Mechanically excellent. Very rare and unique 4 inch S&W Model No. 3 Revolver to add to your collection.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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