Manufactured from 1870 to 1872, this Smith & Wesson No. 3, 1st Model American revolver is serial number "666", and is one of 1,000 purchased and inspected by the U.S. government. Of these 1,000 U.S. No. 3 Americans, 800 had a blue finish and 200 were nickel plated. This revolver is also one of the first 1,500 No. 3 Americans produced by Smith & Wesson, having the "oil hole" on the underside rear portion of the extractor housing under barrel. These revolvers saw hard use with the U.S. cavalry on the frontier and often continued on as a civilian sidearm after their military service, and they remain desirable on the collectors market in almost any condition. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on 16 March 1871 to Springfield Armory with an 8 inch barrel, blue finish, and smooth walnut grips. The letter goes on to state that the correct serial number of this revolver appears to be 666 as it is listed among the revolvers shipped to the U.S. government. These revolvers were reportedly issued to the U.S. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th cavalry regiments. The revolver is listed by serial number in the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Supica and Nahas as one of the 1,000 U.S. Americans on p. 105. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the standard single line address and patent dates followed by "US", which is perpendicular to the address. There are "A" Orville Ainsworth inspector markings on the left of the frame and barrel rib, and a "P" proof on the right of the barrel near the hinge. The partial serial number (only "66" visible) is marked on the butt and "666" is stamped inside the right grip. The butt appears to have once had a lanyard loop added, as there are now two filled holes and evidence of finish touch up which appears to have obfuscated the first digit of the serial number, leaving only the last two digits. The assembly number "T7" is marked on the right of the grip frame, rear face of the cylinder, and cylinder latch. Fitted with a German silver blade front sight, fixed notch rear sight. Includes a leather holster that's had the flap removed.

Good, retains strong traces of the original blue finish with the balance having mostly faded to a brown-grey patina with scattered light pitting, typical of a frontier issued U.S. cavalry revolver. There are two filled screw/lanyard loop holes and some artificially applied brown touch up on the butt. The grips are also good with the right showing lighter tone than the left, a hairline crack at the top of the left, and minor handling marks throughout. Mechanically excellent. The holster has been period modified with moderate wear. A solid representative example of a historic U.S. Smith & Wesson No. 3 American revolver!