Offered here is an experimental S&W No. 3 revolver with several unusual features. The notch rear sight is larger when compared to those found on standard production No. 3s. It features the 1st Model American flat bottom type frame lacking a knuckle on the back strap but with provision for an experimental barrel latch. The experimental "U" shaped latch is mounted to the barrel and does not lock with the hammer. Standard production No. 3s featured "T" shaped latches which, depending on the model, could either lock or not lock with the hammer. The most unusual feature is the adjustable ejector screw located on the underside of the ejector housing. Manually rotating the screw reconfigures the extractor system, basically allowing the user to switch S&W's iconic rack and gear ejection mechanism on and off. Clearing all six chambers at once, while greatly speeding up the reloading process, was not always advantageous for the user. Allowing the user the option to empty the casings manually one at a time tested the feasibility of making No. 3s more in line with its greatest competitor, Colt's Single Action Army Revolver. When the U.S. military tested the S&W Schofield and Colt SAA, some officer's viewed Colt's single loading method as preferable over S&W's simultaneous cartridge ejection. Mounted cavalry pistol charges, as the argument went, generally fired a few shots from a single pistol. Attempting to reload a half spent pistol while riding an excited horse into battle often encountered temporary jamming as the loaded cartridges still in the cylinder would sometimes hang up (see Phil Spangenberger's "Colt vs. Schofield," www.truewestmagazine.com/colt-vs-schofield). Comes with a factory letter stating that records for this revolver were not found. The rear cylinder face is marked with the number "9" under the star extractor. The number "9" is repeated on the left side of the grip frame. The one-line barrel rib marking ends with the 1869 patent dates.

Very fine, retaining 80% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The butt has a smooth gray patina. Some original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are also very fine with some minor high edge wear and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. No S&W No. 3 collection can be considered complete without this highly unusual experimental example, one of only 3 known in private hands!. A must have for any serious S&W collector! Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.