Manufactured 1879 to 1887 with a total production of only 977, this is one of the rarest Smith & Wesson firearms produced. Of the 977 manufactured, 840 remained in the U.S., 137 were exported and only 239 were made with the 16 inch barrel. Serial numbered from 1 to 977. This scarce and unusual revolving rifle was manufactured using the frame, cylinder and basic action of the New Model No. 3 revolver with some minor differences in the hammer and trigger, with the barrel composed of two pieces. A slot is cut into the butt and a hole drilled in the back strap to accommodate the shoulder stock. The rifle features a 16 inch barrel with a two leaf folding rear sight (without a front sight) on a solid rib marked with the two line address/patent date marking. The serial number is found on the butt, barrel, barrel latch and cylinder. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and trigger guard. The barrel is fitted with a checkered red mottled hard rubber forearm with the S&W monogram. The grips are matching with S&W monograms in a circle at the top. The stock is smooth walnut with blue finished attaching iron and a checkered hard rubber buttplate with S&W monogram. The included Smith & Wesson factory letter confirms the barrel length and finish and that it was shipped on September 29, 1880, and delivered to M.W. Robinson, New York City, S&W's largest distributor.

Very good. The revolving rifle retains good traces of original blue finish in the protected areas with a smooth brown patina on the balance. Some mild scattered pitting is present. The forearm and grips are very fine with some minor handling marks (mostly on the bottoms of the grip panels). Front sight is missing. Action does not function correctly. The stock is very good with traces of original blue finish remaining on the attaching iron and numerous minor handling marks on the wood with a minor chip missing from the buttplate near the toe.