Page 120 - 4096-FLIPBOOK3

LOT 3169
Rare Documented Nickel Plated U.S. Contract Smith & Wesson No.
3 “American” First Model Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 1950,
44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured c. 1871, this is a very fine and exceedingly scarce example
of a nickel plated, U.S. contract, Smith & Wesson No. 3 “American” First
Model revolver. According to Supica and Nahas in “Standard Catalog of
Smith & Wesson”, only a total of 1,000 “American” First Model revolver
were produced by Smith & Wesson under U.S. contract, with 800 of
those receiving a blue finish and only 200 receiving a nickel plated finish
like this example. The previously mentioned book notes that the 200
nickel plated revolvers were found from serial number 1895 to 2199,
excluding 1951, 1958, 1967, 1998, and 2053. This particular example is
listed by serial number on p. 92 of that book as one of the U.S. contract
revolvers. Some of these U.S. “American” First Model revolvers are known
to have been used by the U.S. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th regiments
from 1871 to 1876. Thus, the majority of these revolvers saw hard use
in the unforgiving environment of the American West, forging a legacy
as one of the iconic guns of the frontier, and leaving very few surviving
examples available to collectors today, particularly in high condition like
this one. The top of the barrel is marked with the single line address and
patent dates running from muzzle to breech, as well as the “US” marking
perpendicular to that.
The matching serial number is on the
butt and stamped inside the right grip
panel. The assembly marking “K0” is
marked on the right of the grip frame,
rear face of the cylinder, bottom of the barrel
latch, and rear face of the barrel lug. There are Ainsworth “A” inspection
markings on the left of the frame, on the left of the top strap/barrel lug,
and in one of the cylinder flutes. It is fitted with a pinned blade front
sight, notch rear sight on top of the barrel latch, and a pair of smooth
walnut grips with a faint, boxed “OWA” cartouche on the left panel.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the untouched original nickel
plating and 70% of the original muted case colors on the hammer with
some scattered patches of minor flaking, most noticeably at the rear of
the barrel/front of the cylinder, at the muzzle, and on the front grip strap.
The grips are fine with some moderate wear, some scattered minor dings,
and a faint but visible cartouche. Mechanically functions, although the
barrel latch needs a spring. This is an extremely rare example of one of
only 200 nickel plated U.S. contract Smith & Wesson No. 3 “American” First
Model revolver that will be a missing piece in even some of the most
extensive U.S. military and 19th century American arms collections!
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
118