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Well-Documented, Extremely Rare Factory Engraved Smith & W
Revolving Rifle with Only Known Rosewood Stock, Case, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 516, 38 cal., 18 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, rosewood grips. Manufactured from 1879 to 1887, the Model 320 Revolving Rifle is one of the rarest Smith & Wesson firearms produced with a total production of 977. The Model 320 was seldom engraved. In fact, a grand total of 6 or less of this model received a period engraving. At the time of this writing, three, including this example, are known in existing collections. Rock Island Auction Co. has had the honor to have sold two of these engraved examples, nos. 221 and 533, in previous auctions, and now we are fortunate to offer to the public no. 516, the third known engraved Model 320.
The frame, cylinder, and back strap are decorated in attractive floral scrollwork on a punch dot background. These patterns are indicative of S&W’s rich quality and style established by the Young family members, arguably the greatest family dynasty in the 19th century American engraving: Gustave, Oscar and Eugene. 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. Gustave’s sons, Oscar, Eugene, and Robert, worked at his side and eventually succeeded him as S&W factory engravers. Oscar created some of S&W’s most extravagant embellished pieces and remained with the company until his death in 1912. His engraving style typically followed his father’s motifs using tight scroll patterns.
LOT 3068
esson Model 320