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LOT 3208
Scarce Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army
Single Action Revolver with Desirable California
Attributed Bear Stamp on the Frame and an Inscribed
California National Guard Service Medal - Serial no. 953,
44 Russian cal., 7 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in the mid-1870s, it is estimated that less than 1,000 of these
revolvers were manufactured. The revolver is chambered for the .44 caliber
Russian centerfire cartridge. The top of the barrel rib is marked “+FOREHAND
& WADSWORTH, WORCESTER, MASS. U.S. PAT’D OCT. 22’61 - JUNE 27 ‘71 - OCT. 28 ‘73 +” with
standard features. The right side of the frame features the rare “standing bear” mark originally attributed with the California Militia, though likely that of a California gunmaker or dealer, or simply to indicate the caliber, the bear being a symbol of Russia. All visible serial numbers are matching, including on the inside of each grip. Includes a California National Guard service medal with “CIVITATI 10 SERVIVI” pin at the top, front of the medal marked “SERVICE MEDAL/N.G.C.”, and the back inscribed “Staff Sgt. Peter J. Denand” along with a Shreve & Co San Francisco maker’s mark and numbered “1190”.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 25% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, a series of minor tool dings on the left and right front of the frame, and some scattered patches of light surface pitting. The grips are also very good with some minor handling marks scattered throughout. Mechanically excellent. The medal is very good showing an attractively aged patina and minimal wear.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3211
Commercial Smith &
Wesson No. 3 Second Model
Russian Revolver - Serial no. 25460, 44
Russian cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., nickel
finish, walnut grips. Only 6,200 commercial
“Old Model” Russian revolvers in .44 Russian were manufactured in 1873-1878. This example has the standard rib marking and sights, matching serial numbers, several small inspection markings, “SH” in a diamond on the butt (indicating it was sent to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham), a lanyard ring, and smooth grips.
CONDITION: Fine. 75% plus of the unpolished, original nickel plating remains. There are some patches of minor pitting, especially on the cylinder. There are faded case colors on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are very good and have some small scrapes, minor dings, and slight edge wear. Mechanically fine, and the markings are mostly crisp. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
LOT 3212
Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single
Action Target Revolver - Serial no. 25037, 44
S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard
rubber grips. All frames manufactured by 1898. The barrel
rib has the standard two-line legend, “.E.V.O”
(definition unknown at the time of this writing)
is stamped on the left side of the barrel lug
and on both sides of the frame under the
cylinder, pinned blade front sight, target rear
sight blade absent, and with matching serial
number on the butt, right grip panel, barrel,
and cylinder (barrel latch lacks a number). Also
marked “OAE” on right frame below cylinder.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish
with smooth brown patina on the balance. Traces
of original case colors remain on the trigger guard.
90% original case colors remain on the hammer. The
left panel has a hairline crack at the S&W monogram,
otherwise the grips are fine with some minor
handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3213
Desirable and Excellent Smith
& Wesson New Model No. 3
Revolver Shoulder Stock with
Box - Offered here is a S&W
walnut stock extension designed
for use with a S&W New Model
No. 3 revolver. It has nickel plated attaching hardware and a checkered S&W hard rubber buttplate. Includes a correct and proper S&W box.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original nickel finish with limited handling marks and a few minor dings and scratches on the wood. Box is fine with storage and handling marks, a partial end label, peeling, and torn corners. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3209
Scarce and Desirable Forehand & Wadsworth
New Model Army Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 164, 44
Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Sullivan Forehand and Henry
Wadsworth each married one of Ethan Allen’s daughters and were part of E. Allen & Co. until
they restructured the business as Forehand & Wadsworth upon Allen’s death in 1871. As with Allen’s
firearms, their guns were high quality weapons, that rival or even outclass the Colt Single Action
Army, as is made clear by this example which is still a solid firearm after nearly a century and a half. These New Model
Army revolvers were improved versions of the mid-1870s Old Model. Fewer than 1,000 are estimated to have been
manufactured in the late 1870s to 1880s. It has standard markings and features and the matching serial number is marked
on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and inside each grip panel. The butt is fitted with a lanyard ring.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina
and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The grips are also fine with some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3210
Cased Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action
First Model Revolver with Extra Barrel - Serial
no. 46082, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid
rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. All frames of
the .44 Double Action First Model Revolver were
manufactured between 1881 and 1898, but
this model was listed in the company catalogs
and sold up until 1913. Barrel has the caliber
designation on the left side. Barrel rib has the
two-line legend. A S&W factory rework star
is stamped on the butt, and the S&W factory
return date for January 1924 (“1 24”) is stamped
on the grip frame. Matching serial number
on the butt, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch.
The extra 4 inch barrel has the number “6831.”
Includes a period case holding the entire set
along with a screwdriver and cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 98% plus
factory reapplied nickel plating with some
minor handling marks. Hammer and trigger are
a mottled gray patina. Nearly all of the factory
reapplied blue finish remains on the trigger
guard. The grips are excellent with overall crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent. The extra
barrel retains nearly all of the nickel plating. The relined case is very good with minor handling/storage marks.
150 Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500