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SERIAL NUMBER 3
LOT 3196
Historic Documented Carson City, Nevada Individual Shipped Serial Number 3 Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Single Action
George C. Thaxter
Revolver Owned by Marksman George C. Thaxter
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 3, 32-44 cal., 6 1/2 inch solid
rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Only 4,333 of these target revolvers were manufactured between 1887 and 1910 compared to 35,796 standard New Model No. 3 revolvers in roughly the same period. The included factory letter
states that this revolver was shipped to George C. Thaxter in Carson City, Nevada, on February 25, 1888, in its current configuration. George Clinton Thaxter was born in Bangor, Maine, on October 14, 1842. He served a
brief stint as a hospital steward in S Company of the 11th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War but was dismissed due to a disability. After the war, he operated a pharmacy in Iowa briefly before moving
to Carson City, Nevada, where he lived from 1870 until 1892. He operated a lumber mill with his brother-in-law before a fire
destroyed it and then opened a Pioneer Drug Store. He was also a state legislator and a delegate to the 1888 National Convention at
Chicago. He took up marksmanship as a hobby in 1878 and joined the Nevada National Guard in 1879. By 1886, he was recognized as a
talented marksman and was an ordinance officer. He moved to California in 1892 and continued to compete, operated another drug store, and
served as First Lieutenant and rifle practice inspector in the Seventh Infantry of the California National Guard. The revolver has a full nickel plated finish, pinned blade front sight, target notch rear sight, standard two-line barrel rib marking, 1 7/16 inch long cylinder (2,621 manufactured), the matching single digit serial number on the various components, and a pair of checkered walnut grips. There are some unclear hand scratched markings on the side of the frame below the hammer.
CONDITION: Fine. 40% of the original nickel plating remains. Most is located on the frame and cylinder. There
are numerous dings visible on the side plate. The balance is bright or has light patina. There are patches of
minor spotting and slight pitting. The front sight is trimmed down slightly. The grips are very good with
crisp checkering and a few minor dings. The action functions fine and the markings are crisp.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3198
Smith & Wesson Model 3 American 1st Model Single Action Revolver - Serial
no. 2418, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut 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 any condition, this original American Model revolver is indeed a rare and desirable firearm. The barrel rib has the one-line address/patent dates
marking. The right grip panel is numbered to the gun. The cylinder, barrel and barrel latch have matching “JO” assembly marks. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% original blue finish with holster type wear and some abrasive marks and pitting/spotting on the balance. Nearly all original blue remains on the rear cylinder face and the front of the recoil shield suggesting this revolver saw minimal use in the period. 85% original case colors remain on the hammer. Traces of
original case colors remain on the trigger guard. The grips are excellent showing minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
147
LOT 3197
Smith & Wesson No. 3 American 2nd Model Single Action Revolver - Serial no.
15161, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured from 1872 to 1874. The revolver has the standard one-line address/patent dates marking the barrel rib, provision for a lanyard ring (filler screw) on the butt, and matching assembly numbers on the cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch (no visible number on the grip frame), and checkered antique grips.
CONDITION: Extremely fine, retaining 85% plus original nickel plating with smooth gray patina on the balance. Traces of original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The highly attractive grips are very fine with crisp checkering and attractive color. The cylinder does not lock, otherwise the action cycles properly. An exceptional representative example of a S&W No. 3 American 2nd Model Revolver.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500