The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as having been shipped to Richard "Diamond Dick" Tanner on June 27, 1895. No other information was provided in the letter. Nebraska native Richard J. Tanner (1869-1943) first gained notoriety at the age of 24 after completing a round trip horse back ride from Lincoln Nebraska to New York City, New York, in 1893. He molded his new found popularity into a showbiz career as an exhibition shooter performing first under the name "Denver Dick" and then "Diamond Dick" Tanner in various circuses and Wild West shows. By 1905, he walked away from his showbiz life and enrolled in medical school, eventually becoming a successful physician and herbalist. In 1925, he revived his Western personality and made public appearances until his death in 1943. A floral scroll engraving on a punch dot background is featured on the sides of the frame, sides of the barrel at the breech, cylinder flats, top strap, back strap and area behind the hammer. The engraving is defiantly period, and although not mentioned in the factory letter, it is possible that the revolver was sent from the factory in the white to be engraved. The barrel rib has the two-line address/patent dates marking ending in "REISSUE JULY 25. 1871" and flanked by Maltese crosses. Matching serial numbers are on the right grip panel, butt, cylinder and barrel. The back of the right grip is hand marked with Tanner's initials: "RT." This revolver was previously from of the famed William Locke collection and is pictured and described in "The William M. Locke Collection" on page 371.

Very fine as documented by factory for exhibition shooter Richard "Diamond Dick" Tanner. The revolver retains 90% plus of the original nickel finish with flaking on the balance. The engraving is crisp and appears factory, though not documented. Traces of case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are fine as having faded to brown and showing minor handling evidence and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. A known William Locke collection New Model 3 factory documented as being owned by a Western showman that will be a great addition to any antique S&W or old West collection.