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LOT 3078
Unique Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action
Target Revolver with Extra Barrel and Cylinder and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 508, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue/
nickel
finish,
hard
rubber grips. This S&W New Model No. 3 target
revolver is fitted with interchangeable .32-44
Gallery and .44 S&W Russian barrels and cylinders.
The 6 1/2 inch barrel and cylinder set
.32-44 is plated in nickel, is fitted with pinned beaded
blade front and “U” notch adjustable rear sights, has the
two-line S&W address/patent dates barrel rib legend,
has a mismatched barrel serial number (“1865”), and
has a cylinder and barrel latch numbered
to the gun (“508”). The blued .44 S&W
Russian barrel and cylinder set is 6 1/2
inches, is fitted with pinned blade
front and square notch adjustable
rear (bent) sights, has the one-line
S&W barrel rib legend, “44 S&W
CTG” stamped on the left side, has
an unnumbered barrel latch, has
a cylinder and barrel numbered
to the gun (“508”), and makes
for the highly desirable two-tone blue and nickel “pinto” finish. The right grip panel has the number “408,” possibly a factory error. The frame is cut for a shoulder stock. In the accompanying factory letter the revolver no. 508 is listed as shipped on December 19, 1891, and delivered to M.W. Robinson of New York City with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, cut for stock, and checkered black hard rubber grips. As noted in the letter by S&W historian Roy Jinks, “There is no notation about the extra [.44 S&W Russian] barrel and cylinder with this handgun. These revolvers at the time of this sale were heavily over stocked in inventory and the factory had stop building them and just filled orders out of stock. Robinson had the power to get what ever he wanted from the company.” This set was displayed at the 2015 NRA Single Action Shooting Society exhibit.
CONDITION: Very fine. The frame retains 90% plus original nickel plating with some scattered high edge wear and some loss on the grip straps. The .44 S&W Russian barrel assembly retains 97% original blue finish with some high edge wear and cylinder drag line. The .32-44 barrel assembly retains 95% original nickel plating with some scattered flaking. Mostly muted original case colors remain on the trigger guard and 90% original case colors remain on the hammer. The grips are excellent with some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Supica Collection; 2015 NRA Single Action Shooting Society Exhibit.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3079
Excellent Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Revolver Shoulder Stock with Box - Offered here
is a S&W walnut stock extension designed for use with a S&W New Model No. 3 revolver. It has nickel plated attaching hardware and
a checkered S&W hard rubber
buttplate. Includes a correct and proper S&W box. Consignor states the
stock was formerly of the famed Norm Flayderman collection.
CONDITION: Excellent. The attaching hardware retains 99% plus original nickel plating with some minor handling marks, and the walnut shows
a few minor handling marks. The box is fine as repaired in the corners.
Nearly all of the end label remains. An excellent accessory to add to your S&W collection.
Provenance: The Norm Flayderman Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 1,300 - 1,900
8 inch barrel, blue finish and smooth walnut grips when shipped
on January 6, 1874, and delivered to M.W. Robinson, New York
City. This was a 160 gun shipment. In the letter S&W historian Roy Jinks provided additional information: “I have seen that type of sight before on various Model 3s, but do not know
who installed them. In researching this revolver I noticed that a Model 3 American Second Model was sold to United States Cartridge Company on July 8, 1873. However, a search of the US Cartridge Co. collection catalog did not list either of these models.”
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 30% original blue finish in and around the sheltered areas with a smooth artificial brown-gray patina on the frame. The well-aged undersized grips are very good with typical age lines and attractive mellow appearance. Mechanically excellent. An interesting Smith & Wesson 1st Model Russian revolver used in ammunition testing by the U.S. Cartridge Co. Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3081
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Single Action Revolver with Documented Special Order 8 Inch Barrel, Unusual Peep Sight, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 35305,
44 S&W Russian cal., 8 inch solid rib
bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips.
The accompanying factory letter lists
this revolver with a scarce 8 inch barrel,
unspecified target sights, blue finish, and
checkered black hard rubber grips when
shipped on July 25, 1907 (all frames were
manufactured prior to 1899, making this model
an antique), and delivered to John Austin (address
unavailable). It is not often that the factory shipped
directly to an individual as it was Smith & Wesson policy to
work directly with its distributors. Shipping to an individual
occurred only in special cases, usually when the individual was
a prominent person. The non-standard special order 8 inch barrel
is fitted with a Lyman pinned blade sight. The revolver is also fitted
with an adjustable peep sight. In regards to the rear sight S&W historian
Roy Jinks commented in the factory letter, “I have never seen a peep sight on a New Model No. 3 revolver, but I have seen them on guns of later manufacture. The (sic) certainly were not a catalog item.” Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch.
LOT 3080
U.S. Cartridge Co. Marked
Smith & Wesson 1st Model Russian Single
Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no.
28014, 44 S&W Russian cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., blue
finish, antique ivory grips. The right side of the frame is stamped “U.S.C.Co.,” indicating this revolver was used for ammunition testing by the U.S. Cartridge Co. The pinned blade front sight and the square notch rear sight on the top strap are period additions to fit the needs of the day. The barrel latch has the number “8497.” Matching assembly marks are on the grip frame, cylinder, and barrel. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with an
chambered in
CONDITION: Very good with all of the character of a well-traveled special order target revolver showing a classic smooth gray patina with traces of original blue finish in the protected areas and well worn grips. Mechanically needs work as the ejector does not function; otherwise, the action cycles properly. An 8 inch S&W New Model No. 3 Target Revolver missing from even the most advanced collections . Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500 69