Page 54 - 4096-FLIPBOOK3

LOT 3070
Desirable “Frontier Issued”
U.S. Smith & Wesson First
Model Schofield Single Action Revolver -
Serial no. 2903, 45 S&W Schofield cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1875, this is a rare example of
one of only 3,035 First Model Schofield revolvers originally produced by
Smith & Wesson for a U.S. government contract. These revolvers originally
had 7 inch barrels and many were issued to the U.S. 4th Cavalry Regiment, seeing use
during the Geronimo Campaign, while others were issued to the “Buffalo Soldiers” of the
U.S. 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, seeing hard use during the Indian Wars. Some of these
revolvers also found their way into the hands of legendary figures of the “Wild West”, including the notorious
brothers Frank and Jesse James. After their military service, most of the surviving revolvers were sold as surplus
and purchased by retailers such as Francis Bannerman and Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, who refurbished the
revolvers and then resold them on the commercial market. Many of these revolvers had their
barrels shortened at this time, and they became very popular among the agents of the express
companies such as Wells Fargo. This particular revolver has every appearance of having been
shortened to a 5 inch barrel and resold, finding its way back to the turbulent American
West. The ejector housing on the barrel is marked with the standard two-line
address as well as the Schofield patent marking on the left and right respectively.
The butt is marked with “US” at the toe, as well as with the serial number, which is
repeated on the rear face of the cylinder along with “L” and “P” inspection marks. It is fitted with a blade front sight,
grooved rib and barrel latch notch rear sight, and a pair of smooth walnut grips.
CONDITION: Fine, as “frontier issued”, retaining 40% of the period retailer refurbished blue and faint traces of
the case colors with the balance a mix of grey and brown patina and a few scattered small patches of light
pitting, typical of a sidearm that spent time in the American West. The weathered grips show the character
of life on the frontier with moderate wear, a few chips, and a few hairline cracks. Mechanically excellent. A
U.S. First Model Schofield that looks to have spent many more years on the frontier after
its military service ended!
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3068
Documented Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian Third Model
Single Action Revolver in Very Scarce .44 Rimfire -
Serial no. 356, 44 RF cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured c. 1874 to 1878, this is a highly attractive example of the Smith
& Wesson No. 3 Russian Third Model revolver in the very scarce .44 Rimfire
cartridge, also known as the “Turkish Model”. It is pictured and noted by serial
number on page 174 of the classic text “Smith & Wesson 1857-1945” by Robert J. Neal &
Roy G. Jinks. Norm Flayderman lists around 500 Russian Second Model revolvers and an
unknown number of (collectors believe around 250-300) Russian Third Model revolvers produced in “.44
Rimfire caliber” for commercial sale, most all of which were over-runs from two military contract orders
from the Turkish government. These revolvers were a contemporary competitor to the prolific Colt Single
Action Army Revolver, having many beneficial features in comparison. Like the “Peacemaker”, many of these
No. 3 Russians saw extensive use in the American West. The top of the barrel rib on this example is marked
with the standard one-line address ending with “RUSSIAN MODEL” and flanked by Maltese crosses. The
scarce S&W “Reissue” stamping can be seen just in front of the large thumb screw used for cylinder removal.
The matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, bottom of the barrel latch, and
rear face of the barrel lug. It is fitted with a blade front sight, notch rear sight on top of the barrel latch,
a lanyard swivel on the butt, and a pair of period replacement smooth walnut grips with the right panel
stamped “3587” inside.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 98% plus of the pre-World War II factory refurbished blue finish and 75% of
the muted case colors on the trigger guard and hammer, with some scattered light handling marks and a
light cylinder drag line. The grips are also very fine with a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
A most rare and desirable S&W Russian Model in .44 Rimfire caliber worthy of addition to any collection!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3069
Smith & Wesson
New Model No. 3 Target Single Action Revolver - Serial
no. 2886, 32-44 S&W cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish,
hard rubber grips. Manufactured from 1887 to 1898, only 4,333
of these New Model No. 3 Target revolvers were produced by
Smith & Wesson, split between the .32-44 and .38-44 S&W Target calibers. These
revolvers were highly prized among the competition shooters of the day, who
were looking for any edge they could gain over their competition. This example
was originally one of only 2,930 chambered in .32-44 S&W Target as noted in “Standard Catalogue of Smith
& Wesson” by Supica and Nahas. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the single line address. The serial
number is marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, bottom of the barrel latch, and rear face of the
barrel lug. It is fitted with a Lyman beaded blade front sight, an adjustable notch rear sight on the barrel
latch, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with “S&W” monograms at the tops.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% of the frosted, untouched, original nickel plating and 40% of the original case colors on
the hammer and trigger guard with a few scattered small patches of light flaking and some light handling marks. The grips
are also very fine with light handling evidence and crisp checkering. Mechanically functions.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3071
London Retailer
Cased “F.W.” Inscribed
Smith & Wesson No.
2 “Old Army” Spur
Trigger Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial
no. 67671, 32 RF cal., 6
inch solid rib bbl., blue
finish, rosewood grips.
Manufactured c. 1869,
this is a fine example
Smith & Wesson No. 2
“Old Army” revolver that
made its way to Great
Britain. The included factory letter lists the revolver with a 6 inch barrel, blue
finish, and rosewood grips when shipped to C.W. May Company in Paris,
France on 4 September 1869. C.W. May Co. was Smith & Wesson’s European
distributor and likely forwarded this revolver on to J.H. Crane Co. in London.
It has London proofs on the cylinder and bottom of the barrel, as well as
the inscribed initials “F.W.” on the right of the frame in fancy script letters, likely added by the retailer
which appears to have been J.H. Crane. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the standard one line
address. The serial number is marked on the butt and stamped inside the right grip panel. The matching
assembly marking “. . 4” is marked on the left of the grip frame, front face of the cylinder, and rear face of
the barrel lug. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, notch rear sight on the cylinder stop, and
a pair of smooth rosewood grips. Includes an oak presentation case with J.H. Crane, London trade label
inside the lid, as well as a ball mold marked “56” that is of a larger caliber than the revolver.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% of the bright original high polish blue finish on the barrel and frame
with some scattered brown freckling, 40% of the original case colors on the hammer, and the cylinder
showing a grey patina with a few patches of light pitting/oxidation. The grips are very fine with some
light dings/scratches and almost all the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with a
corner of the lid slightly ill-fitted and scattered minor handling/storage marks.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
52