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LOT 3082
Documented L.D. Nimschke Attributed
New York Engraved Smith & Wesson Russian 2nd Model Single
Action Revolver - Serial no. 32906, 44 S&W Russian cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., gold finish, walnut grips. This gold plated period masterpiece is extensively engraved in L.D. Nimschke New York style
scrollwork on a fine punch dot background. There are wavy line borders, checkerboard panels on both sides of the barrel, arrow motif below the cylinder, dot and checkerboard panel, and a fantastic highly detailed eagle on the right side of the frame. These are strong Nimschke motifs that are deeply cut into the steel canvas and cover nearly all of the surface. Similar patterns are found among Nimschke’s smoke pulls as published in “L.D.
Nimschke Firearms Engraver” (pages 21, 37, and 60). Take special note of a similar eagle found on page 60. Photos will do more than words to describe the exceptional degree of 19th century artistry. The barrel rib
has the one-line S&W address/patent dates legend ending with “RUSSIAN MODEL” surrounded by engraved flourishes and
a pinned blade front sight. A lanyard ring is mounted on the butt. The matching assembly number “35” is stamped on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. The right grip panel is numbered to the gun. This revolver was loaned to the NRA National
Sporting Arms Museum in 2013 and is pictured in “Guns of the NRA National of the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum” on page 233, “The Illustrated History of Firearms” on page 94, and “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” (4th edition) on page 63. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% period retailer applied gold plating with some high edge wear and thinning on the backstrap. The lightly re-oiled grips are fine with minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive L.D. Nimschke New York engraved and gold plated S&W Russian 2nd Model revolver that will be a welcome addition to any S&W or firearms art collection. Provenance: The Supica Collection; NRA National Sporting Arms Museum 2013. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3083
Documented New York Engraved and Inscribed Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model Revolver Linked to a Montana Gold Mine with Factory Letter - Serial no. 888, 44
S&W Russian cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. The
accompanying factory letter for this period engraved early production S&W .44 Double Action First Model
revolver states it was shipped on August 24, 1881 and delivered to M.W. Robinson of New York City with a 5 inch barrel. As
S&W Roy Jinks stated in the letter, “The shipment contained 40 units of this model, 20 were blue and 20 were nickel. There were no engraved guns in the shipment. The name Sherard engraved on the handgun, in my opinion, would have been engraved
through M.W. Robinson’s company in New York City.” The name “H.S. Sherard”
is engraved on the back strap. Period publications mention H.S. Sherard as a mining
engineer and as a manager of the Gilt Edge Mine in Montana, circa 1893. The Gilt
Edge Mine was a cyanide gold mine located in Fergus County, Montana, that
opened in 1883. The mine and adjacent town prospered until 1912. About 100,000 ounces of gold were removed from the earth by the time the mine closed in 1991. The revolver certainly has the look of a working gun carried at the hip for protection and as a status symbol for a Montana gold mine manager in the late 19th century.
The revolver is decorated in an extensive deeply carved period scroll engraving on a punch dot background. As noted, “H.S. Sherard” is engraved on the back
strap. The barrel rib has the two-line S&W address/patent dates marking.
Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, barrel latch,
and barrel. The revolver is pictured in Michael Kennelly’s “Smith & Wesson
ngraving” on page 108 and Jesse Hardin’s “Old Guns and Whispering Ghosts” on page 134. CONDITION: Very good displaying authentic working gun character with traces of original nickel plating in the sheltered areas, otherwise a classic smooth gray patina associated with spending a lifetime in a harsh environment like Montana. The engraving is crisp. The slightly undersized grips are fine with some handling marks and highly attractive grain and color. Mechanically excellent. A New York engraved S&W .44 Double Action First Model revolver linked to a Montana gold mine that will add dimension to any S&W or Western collection.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOKS GUNS OF THE NRA NATIONAL SPORTING ARMS MUSEUM & THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF FIREARMS FROM THE NRA MUSEUMS BY SUPICA, WICKLUND & SCHREIER
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OLD GUNS AND WHISPERING GHOSTS BY HARDIN
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