Approximately 310 Smith & Wesson New Model 3 revolvers were manufactured with nickel finish, 7 inch barrels, and detachable shoulder stocks. They were shipped to Australia for the Southern Australian Colonial Police. The first shipment was for 250 revolvers and was sent to Smith & Wesson's large New York distributor M.W. Robinson for the Australian Government on December 14, 1881. Mr. Robinson had received an order for 250 Smith & Wesson New Model 3 revolvers from the Australian Government earlier in the year. The included factory letter confirms that this revolver was part of that December shipment and verifies the barrel length, finish, cut for a shoulder stock and grips. The revolver has the two-line address/patent dates barrel rib marking, matching numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel, barrel latch and right grip panel and the Australian broad arrow proofmark appearing on the butt.