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SERIAL NUMBER 28
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK SMITH & WESSON REVOLVERS BY PARSONS
AS PICTURED IN THE BOOK GUNS WEST! BY THE WILLIAM B. RUGER GALLERY & SMITH & WESSON SIXGUNS OF THE OLD WEST BY CHICOINE
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LOT 268
Rare and Documented Early Production Serial Number 28 “Oil Hole” Smith & Wesson No. 3 First Model American Single Action Revolver with Rare 7 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. 28, 44 S&W American cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
from 1870 to 1872, this is a very early production Smith & Wesson No. 3, 1st Model American revolver with a low two digit serial number (“28”), and is one of approximately 8,000 revolvers. The No. 3, 1st Model American revolver was manufactured with a standard 8 inch barrel with 6 inch and 7 inch barrels being less common. This example has the rare 7 inch barrel, one of approximately 50-70 manufactured. The included factory letter confirms the 7 inch barrel, .44 S&W American caliber, blue finish, and smooth walnut grips. The revolver was shipped to Smith & Wesson’s largest distributor, M.W. Robinson of New York City, as part of a 25 gun shipment on October 26, 1870. The revolver correctly has a vent hole (oil hole) in the rear extractor housing under barrel that was featured on the first 1,500 revolvers. The top of the barrel rib is stamped “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT. JULY 10. 60. JAN. 17. FEB. 17. JULY 11. 65 & AUG. 24. 69” flanked by Maltese crosses. Pinned blade front and notch rear sights. The serial number is stamped on the butt with the assembly number “8A” stamped on the rear cylinder face, barrel latch and barrel. The right grip panel is numbered to the gun with the backs of both grips hand marked “PXM”. The revolver is pictured in John Parsons’“Smith & Wesson Revolvers” on page 76. CONDITION: Good. The revolver has a mottled gray patina with some scattered minor pitting. The firing pin on the hammer has been polished. The grips are fair showing wear consistent to the rest of the revolver with some overall pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Overall a rare possibly first day production Smith & Wesson No. 3 American. Provenance: The Waye Kramer Collection; The Louis Steadman Collection; The David Carroll Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 269
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 20568, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on Jun 27, 1892, and delivered to M.W Robinson of New York City, S&W’s largest distributor, and confirms the 6 1/2 inch barrel, target sights, and nickel finish. The revolver has the two-line S&W address/patent dates rib marking, an unnumbered barrel latch, and matching serial numbers on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and barrel. The back strap is inscribed with the number “6232,” significance unknown. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% original nickel plating with some scattered mild flaking. 30% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are also excellent with a few minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive S&W New Model No. 3 revolver with target sights. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,250
LOT 270
Desirable and Documented U.S./Wells Fargo Smith & Wesson Second Model Schofield Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 3420, 45 S&W Schofield cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is a S&W Schofield Second Model Revolver that was originally purchased by the U.S. Government. Schofields were used by the U.S. Army for only a few years before being sold as surplus on the civilian market and used out West by Wells Fargo express agents and many others. The U.S. military markings include “W” and “P” stamped on the barrel and rear cylinder face and “W” on the frame. The butt lacks the “US” marking. The right side of the ejector rod shroud has the Wells Fargo marking: “W.F.&CO. EX. 3420”. The barrel has been shortened during its period of use, as was common with 19th century revolvers purchased by the various express companies. Matching serial number on the butt, right grip panel, and cylinder. This revolver has been pictured in the “Guns West” exhibit catalog on page 13 and David Chicoine’s “Smith & Wesson Sixguns of the Old West” on page 134, reported in “American Rifleman” and “True West” magazines, and displayed at the National Firearms Museum in 2008-2009. CONDITION: Very good, displaying all the character of a survivor of the Indian Wars that saw military and civilian use out West with slight traces of original blue in the protected areas and heavy amounts of original blue on the barrel block and latch. The grips are also very good and show similar “working gun” character with a few light chips at the toes. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Supica Collection; National Firearms Museum, 2008-2009. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 271
Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 3 American 2nd Model Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 28384, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Manufactured from 1872 to 1874. The Gustave Young style period engraving consists of floral scrollwork on a punch dot background covering 80% of the surface. The engraving displays his reported “donut” motif. The barrel rib has the one-line S&W legend ending with the 1869 patent date. The revolver wears a set of nicely figured walnut grips. The right grip panel is numbered to the gun. Matching assembly number “463” appears on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. CONDITION: Good overall, as a high art firearm displaying all the character of a trusty sidearm used during the period. It certainly did not spend a lifetime locked in a vault! Mechanically needs work as cylinder does not lock properly. Displays great appeal for a revolver that certainly has a story or two to tell! Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 3,750