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LOT 3214
LOT 3216
Very Scarce Documented
U.S. Revenue Cutter Service
Smith & Wesson New Model
No. 3 Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 27362, 44 S&W Russian
cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. This S&W New
Model No. 3 revolver is listed by serial number in Supica and Nahas’
“Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” (page 106) as issued to the U.S.
Revenue Cutter Service. Reportedly 140 Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 revolvers were purchased for the Revenue Cutter Service, the predecessor of the Coast Guard, between 1890 and 1894. The revolver has target sights, the two-line S&W address/patent dates rib marking, right grip panel numbered to another gun, an unnumbered barrel latch, and matching serial numbers on the butt,
cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the
balance. The back strap
is a mix of original
blue finish and smooth
brown-gray patina.
Traces of original case
colors remain on the
hammer and trigger
guard. The grips are also
fine with a slight chip near the top (left panel), a few minor handling marks, and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of a very scarce and documented U.S.
Revenue Cutter Service S&W New Model No. 3 revolver.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
U.S. Smith & Wesson First
Model Schofield Single Action Revolver -
Serial no. 1097, 45 S&W Schofield cal., 7 inch
solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This revolver
is one of 3,000 First Model Schofields purchased by the U.S.
Government. They were used by the U.S. Army for only a few
years before being sold as surplus on the
civilian market and used in the West by Wells
Fargo Express agents and many others. During
its service life this example was modified for
a non-factory shoulder stock to fit the needs
of the day. A shoulder stock cut in the back
strap has since been plugged and the butt
has been twice drilled and tapped (filler screws are present). The
U.S. military markings include “US” stamped on the butt, “L” and
“P” stamped on the barrel and rear cylinder face and “L” on the
frame. A script letter cartouche is stamped on the left grip panel.
Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, and both
grip panels. The revolver was displayed at the 2015 NRA Single
Action Shooting Society exhibit
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with thinning
to brown on the balance and a smooth artificial brown-gray patina
on a cylinder chamber and most of the back strap. Half of the muted
original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The
refinished grips are very good with a coat of varnish added, dings, scratches and a faint cartouche. Mechanically excellent. An interesting U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield Revolver that has a story or two to tell.
Provenance: The Supica Collection; 2015 NRA Single Action
Shooting Society Exhibit.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3215
LOT 3217
Collector’s Fact
According to "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Supica and Nahas, this Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 is one of approximately one hundred forty purchased by the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service.
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON BY SUPICA & NAHAS
Smith & Wesson Model 3
American 1st Model Single
Action Revolver - Serial
44 S&W American cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured
from 1870 to 1872, the First Model American was the
first top break, automatic ejecting revolver made in the United States. The American model was introduced 3 years before the Colt Single Action Army revolver and is probably, more than any other model, associated with the historic American West. As S&W expert Roy Double pointed out over fifty years ago, “This was
a work gun; a big, heavy-caliber holster gun worn openly and ready to hand; a timely gun indigenous to America on the move and a part of America’s greatest adventures.” Difficult to obtain in solid representative condition, this S&W American Model revolver is indeed a desirable American firearm. The barrel has been shortened, a common practice of the period in order to better fit the needs of the day.
CONDITION: Very good displaying great 19th century working gun character, retaining 40% original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. The attractive grips are very fine with
some typical age lines on the bottom, minor handling marks, and attractive color and grain. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
Desirable Documented U.S.
Ainsworth Inspected Smith & Wesson “Oil Hole” Model 3
American 1st Model Revolver - Serial no. 628, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This revolver is listed/documented by its serial number in
the “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Jim Supica & Richard Nahas on page 91 and in
“Smith & Wesson American Model” by Charles Pate on page 192 as one of the 1,000 Model 3s that was purchased by the U.S. government in 1871. Compounding the significance of this revolver is the rarely observed oil hole (located on the rear of the extractor housing on
the bottom of the barrel lug) as found on the first 1,500 or so of this
model. The S&W American Model was the first cartridge revolver
adopted by the U.S. military and saw use in the Indian Wars as it
was reported to have been issued to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and
7th Cavalry. Surviving examples of U.S. martial Model 3 Americans,
especially early production oil hole examples, are scarce and highly desirable in any condition. The revolver is pictured and identified in Dean Boorman’s “The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms” on
page 106. The frame carries U.S. Ordnance Department “P” proof on the right
side of the frame next to the recoil shield. The desirable U.S. Orville W. Ainsworth sub-inspector’s “A” initial (faint) appears on the left side of the top strap. The
revolver lacks a visible “US” marking usually found on the barrel rib, and was
removed during the period of use. The right grip panel is numbered to another
gun. Matching assembly marks appears on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel, and
barrel latch. The side plate is crudely period inscribed with the name “Frank/
Weber.” Frank Weber has yet to be identified but consignor assigned attribution to Civil War veteran and POW Frank Weber (1841-1903) who served in Company G, Minnesota 9th Infantry Regiment (mustered out on August 22, 1865).
CONDITION: Good as a true survivor of the Indian Wars, displaying all the characteristics of spending a lifetime in a challenging environment that was the Western Frontier. Mechanically needs work.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
Collector’s Fact
This rare Smith & Wesson "Oil Hole" Model 3 American is documented in "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Supica and Nahas as one of one
thousand revolvers purchased by the U.S. Government in 1871.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOKS THE HISTORY OF SMITH & WESSON FIREARMS BY BOORMAN & STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON BY SUPICA & NAHAS
no. 1649,
165