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LOT 3082
Extraordinary Benchmark Smith & Wesson No. 3 “American” Second
Model Single Action Revolver with M.W. Robinson Case - Serial no. 15854, 44 S&W American
cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1872-1874, this is an outstanding, benchmark
example of one of only 20,735 No. 3 “American” Second Model revolvers produced by Smith & Wesson. These revolvers
were a contemporary competitor to the prolific Colt Single Action Army revolver, as well as other competitors such as
Remington’s “Frontier Army” and Merwin, Hulbert & Company’s Army revolvers. Like its competitors, a large amount of
Smith & Wesson’s “American” revolvers found their way to the American West, where the working years were long and the
conditions were harsh. Because of this, many of these revolvers did not survive, and the ones that did survive are almost never found in near factory new
condition like this example. While never seeing the huge production numbers of the Colt “Peacemaker”, these Smith & Wesson “Americans” carry the
same deeply ingrained association with the American frontier. Plenty of legendary frontier figures are noted as preferring the Smith & Wesson over a Colt,
including “Buffalo Bill” Cody and Wyatt Earp, who allegedly carried one during the shootout at the O.K. Corral. This particular No. 3 “American” Second
Model is truly a benchmark example by which all others can be measured and is easily one of the finest, if not THE finest we have ever had the pleasure
of offering to the public. The top of the barrel rib on this example is marked with the standard one-line address and patent dates flanked by Maltese crosses.
The matching serial number is marked on the butt and stamped inside the right grip panel. The matching assembly number “923” is marked on the right heel of the grip frame, the rear
face of the cylinder, bottom of the barrel latch, and on the rear face of the barrel lug. Included with the revolver is an original hardwood case from M.W. Robinson, Smith & Wesson’s largest
distributor during the period, which, given the benchmark condition, is almost certainly original to this particular revolver. Also included within the case is a cleaning rod and a partially
factory sealed, full, 50-count box of Winchester Repeating Arms Co. produced .44 S&W American cartridges.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the bright, original nickel plating with a few scattered very small specks of flaking, a few scattered very light dings, and faint cylinder turn line.
The grips are also excellent with a few very slight handling/storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with a couple moderate scratches on the lid, otherwise a few slight
handling/storage marks and a couple minor wear spots on the lining. The cartridge box is very fine with some light fading/wear. This is truly an extraordinary, benchmark example of the
legendary Smith & Wesson No. 3 “American” Second Model revolver that could easily become a centerpiece of even the most advanced Smith & Wesson or American frontier arms collections!
Provenance: The Richard Littlefield Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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