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LOT 3081
Attractive U.S. Smith &
Wesson First Model Schofield Single Action Revolver with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 70, 45 S&W Schofield cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1875, this is a solid representative example of a U.S. contract First Model Schofield single action revolver.
The included factory letter confirms the likely shipment to the National Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts
on 12 July 1875, as well as being factory refurbished and fitted with original but unissued grips in February of 1926, likely
for commercial resale. Of the 3,035 First Model Schofields produced, almost all of them were purchased by the U.S. government, though some
reportedly ended up in civilian hands, including the notorious Frank and Jesse James, as well as George Custer’s chief scout, “Lonesome Charley”.
The majority of these revolvers saw hard use in the hands of U.S. cavalry troopers on the American frontier, with many of those that survived
purchased as surplus and altered for Wells Fargo & Co., leaving very few examples in any condition available for collectors. This example has the
distinctive First Model Schofield features, which are the barrel catch attached to the frame rather than the top strap, the gracefully shaped frame, shorter ejector
housing, and the “US” marking at the toe of the butt, rather than the heel like the later Second Models. The left side of the ejector housing is marked with the two-line Smith & Wesson
address and patent dates ending with “71” and flanked by Maltese crosses. This early production example correctly lacks the “73” patent date which is seen on those manufactured
later. The right side of the ejector housing is marked with Schofield’s patent date in one line, flanked by Maltese crosses. “US” is marked on the toe of the butt. The matching serial
number, “70”, is marked on the butt along with a factory rework star, rear face of the cylinder, and stamped inside both grip panels. The left grip panel has a faint boxed “SBL” inspection
cartouche. It is fitted with a pinned blade front sight fitted in the groove that runs the entire length of the rib and a fixed notch rear sight in the barrel latch.
CONDITION: Very fine as factory refurbished, retaining 98% plus of the blue finish and 75% plus of the case colors with some very light handling evidence and a faint cylinder turn line.
The grips are also very fine with a few minor dings and a visible cartouche. Mechanically excellent. A attractive representative example of the desirable
U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3080
Rare Extremely Early Production Two Digit Serialized Smith & Wesson Model 320 Single
Action Revolving Rifle with 16 Inch Barrel, Stock, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 12, 320 cal., 16
inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Offered here is an extremely early production model of
one of S&W rarest produced firearms, the Model 320 Revolving Rifle. This is serial number 12, making it one of the
very first Model 320s manufactured by S&W, and it displays an unmarked pre-1904 factory refinish. According to
“Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas, total production was only 977, and out of the 977 units
only 239 Model 320s were manufactured with a 16 inch barrel. The 16 inch barrel on this example is fitted with a globe front sight and
two leaf rear sight and is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates legend. The forearm and grips are matching checkered red
mottled hard rubber with the S&W monogram. The stock is smooth walnut with blue finished attaching iron, peep sight and a checkered
hard rubber buttplate with S&W monogram. The early production “12” serial number is found on the butt, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch.
The accompanying factory letter lists this Model 320 with a 16 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered mottled red and black hard rubber grip and forearm when it was shipped on June 30, 1880 and
delivered to Schoverling Daly & Gale of New York City.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 98% plus of the blue and casehardened finishes showing slight stock wear on the back strap, a cylinder drag line and limited handling marks. The stock is also very fine with 99% plus
blue finish remaining on the attaching hardware and minor handling marks on the walnut. Mechanically excellent. A great opportunity to acquire an extremely low serial number Model 320, one of S&W’s rarest and
most unusual firearms.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
According to "Standard Catalog
of Smith & Wesson" by Supica
and Nahas, of the 977 Smith &
Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifles
manufactured, only 239 were produced
with a 16 inch barrel.
Serial
Number 12
55