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LOT 1253
Documented Special Order Smith & Wesson
.44 Double Action First Model Target Revolver
in Extremely Scarce .38-44 S&W Gallery with Factory Letter - Serial no. 28197, 38-44 cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. Target sights are scarce on any large frame
double action S&W top-break, and any caliber other than .44 is quite rare. Offered here is a S&W .44 DA First Model Target Revolver chambered in special order .38-44 S&W Gallery caliber. In the accompanying factory letter S&W historian Roy Jinks referenced this revolver as a “Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First
Model Target, Special Production and Caliber, caliber .38-44 Smith & Wesson Gallery revolver.” Jinks continued, “The records indicate that this revolver was special assembled with target sights and in the special caliber of .38-44 Smith & Wesson gallery cartridge. This revolver is one of the special large frame double actions built in a caliber other than .44 S&W Russian.” It was shipped on November 26, 1895 and delivered to Hibbard Spencer & Bartlett Co. of Chicago,
Illinois. Along with the target sights and .38-44 caliber, the letter confirms the 6 1/2 inch
barrel, nickel finish and black hard rubber grips. The barrel and barrel latch are unnumbered.
The cylinder is numbered to the gun. The revolver is listed by serial number in Supica and Nahas’ “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” on page 109 where it is cited as one of approximately ten .44 DA revolvers factory chambered in .38-44 S&W Gallery caliber.
CONDITION: Very fine retaining 85% original nickel plating with a few scattered patches of deep pitting. The grips are excellent with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. As one of around ten manufactured in .38-44 S&W Gallery, this S&W .44 DA First Model Target Model revolver will certainly be a standout piece to any S&W collection no matter how advanced. You will need to wait a lifetime before another example is offered for sale!
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
LOT 1254
Documented New York Engraved Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver with Rare Simmons Hardware Co. Marked Deluxe Presentation Case - Serial no. 3201, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., silver finish, pearl grips. This S&W New Model No. 3 revolver features a genuine period engraving in the New York style with a mix of broad scrollwork, floral patterns and geometric designs including zig-zag lines, star bursts, and clamshells. The revolver is pictured in Michael Kennelly’s “Smith & Wesson Engraving” on page 74. The barrel rib has the two-line S&W address/patent dates marking. The lanyard ring covers the butt serial number. “3201” is stamped on the cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. The revolver wears a set of pearl grips. The revolver is housed in a rare deluxe period silk lined Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis case. A silk Simmons banner is affixed to the interior of the lid. The case contains an empty cartridge block and a bore brush. Simmons was a destination for many engraved Colts in the late 1800s, but a
S&W casing by the company is nearly impossible to find. A true rarity in S&W collecting, a deluxe Simmons case is often missing from the most advanced collections. CONDITION: Very good as period New York engraved with the cylinder retaining strong traces of the period applied silver plating in the flutes, otherwise scattered traces of silver plating in the sheltered areas with the balance a smooth gray patina associated with a well traveled revolver. The grips are also very good and show similar working gun character with a few chips. Mechanically excellent. The unique Simmons Hardware Co. deluxe case is good with minor handling/storage marks and well worn lining. A very rare S&W casing in any condition. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
Collector’s Fact
According to "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson", this rare Smith & Wesson Double Action First Model Target revolver is one of approximately ten factory chambered in .38-44 S&W Gallery caliber.
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER
IN STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON BY SUPICA & NAHAS
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500