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LOT 1160
Rare U.S. Smith & Wesson
Second Model Schofield Single
Action Revolver with U.S. Holster
Rig - Serial no. 5597, 45 S&W Schofield
cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured c. 1876, this is one of only 5,285 Second Model Schofield revolvers produced for the U.S. military
according to Chicoine in “Smith & Wesson Six Guns of the Old West”. Many of these First and Second Model
Schofields appear to have been issued to cavalry units in the American West for use during the Indian Wars,
having a fairly short yet rigorous service life in the unforgiving climate of the western frontier, leaving few
surviving examples available for collectors in any condition. In addition to this, when pulled from military
service c. 1879, large numbers of these revolvers were sold as surplus to large retailers who often altered
and refinished them for resale on the commercial market, leaving even fewer examples in their original
military contract configuration. Altered or not, large numbers of these Schofields made their way back
to the frontier after being sold from military stocks, seeing many more years in holsters in the West.
Many of these revolvers were purchased by express agencies for arming their agents, and they were also
reportedly favored by the notorious Frank and Jesse James brothers, as well as U.S. Marshal Bill Tilghman,
who is known for capturing the notorious outlaw Bill Doolin. This particular example remains in its original
military configuration and retains much of the original finish. The ejector housing on the bottom of the
barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates on the left and the Schofield patent
marking on the right. “US” is marked on the heel of the butt and the rear face of the cylinder has “E” and
“P” inspection/proof marks. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and
stamped inside the right grip panel. The left grip panel has an oval “JRJr.” cartouche over “1876”, while the
right grip has a boxed “CW” cartouche. It is fitted with a pinned blade front sight, grooved barrel rib, and barrel
latch notch rear sight with the hollowed rear, a feature of the Second Models. Included with the revolver is a
“U.S.” marked M1881 holster, a leather belt with suspenders and brass “US” buckle, a “US” 45-70 cartridge box,
and a U.S. Ordnance Department marked pouch, all of black leather, as well as a factory sealed 12-count box of
Frankford Arsenal .45 caliber cartridges.