Rock Island Auction Company is proud to present this fresh and important find courtesy of the Gerald Klaz Collection. This is one of only three known Gustave Young Factory engraved and gold inlaid Smith & Wesson No. 3 Americans, and part of Smith & Wesson's traveling world exhibition of the early 1870's. As confirmed by the seminal work by John Parsons "Smith & Wesson Revolvers" on page 130 and accompanying factory letter, this revolver is listed in correspondence between S&W and MW Robinson in May of 1878 as Robinson was tasked with "closing out at the best price possible" this group of highly embellished firearms that had been maintained by the factory. This revolver appears by serial number, 15,689, as "engraved, gold, ivory and at a price of $70." Only one other revolver on the list is more expensive, No. 15,679 (photographed on pg. 67, of Artistry in Arms The Guns of Smith & Wesson by Jinks) that revolver is also engraved, inlaid, but with pearl grips at a price of $75. The difference in the price between to two is the grip material, pearl was a slight premium. This traveling exhibition included: the Vienna World Fair in 1873, the great Philadelphia Centennial of 1876 and an unidentified "fair" in San Francisco in 1877. The revolver features an exquisite exhibition embellishment by famed Master Engraver Gustave Young. The near full coverage engraving consists of Young's masterful floral scrollwork. Even the hammer features the engraving. Note the near circular tips of many of the scroll patterns, an attribute strongly associated with Young. The engraving is enhanced with fine gold inlaid patterns consisting of scrollwork on both sides of the barrel, scrollwork surrounding a floral blossom on the side plate and right side of the frame and a large and beautiful gold dog's head on the back strap. Additional gold inlay in the form of bands are featured on the barrel at the muzzle and on the cylinder at the rear. The serial number on the butt is inside an engraved banner. The barrel rib has the one-line address/patent dates legend within scallop borders. The right grip panel is numbered to the gun in pencil. Matching assembly marks are on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. A true work of Gustave Young's mastery that was displayed at international fairs!

Very good plus, retaining 40% plus original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown-gray patina. There is some scattered pitting mostly on the barrel. The engraving is crisp. All of the gold remains. Patterns of original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are fine showing typical age cracking on the bottom and at the screw, some minor handling marks and attractive grain. Mechanically excellent. This revolver is a testament to Gustave Young's craftsmanship and further evidence he was the finest 19th century American firearms engraver. Gold is the highest level of embellishment possible, it gets no rarer or better. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.