Offered here is a highly desirable and exceptionally rare factory "Club Gun" serial number "058" inscribed to Charles F. Armstrong. "Club Guns" are a special group of handguns S&W gave or loaned to factory personnel, shooting clubs and/or notable shooters as samples or test guns. These highly prized guns were generally assigned "zero" serial number prefixes, but early production guns are found with the serial numbers containing the letter "O" or the letter "C." The "058" serial number is on the butt, cylinder and barrel. The barrel latch is unnumbered. An S&W factory diamond “B” refinish mark appears on the grip frame and rear cylinder face under the ejector. The revolver has target sights, scarce 8 inch barrel, checkered grip straps and one-line address on the barrel rib. It has been estimated that no more than 50-75 New Model No. 3 Revolvers were manufactured with 8 inch barrels and target sights. The frame, top strap, barrel sides, and cylinder flats feature wonderful factory engraved floral scrollwork on a punch dot background. Amongst the scrollwork on the side plate is a panel with the inscription “CHAS. F. ARMSTRONG.” Fitted with gold S&W medallion pearl grips. Charles F. Armstrong was a Pennsylvania politician and a target shooting instructor. From 1919 to 1929 Charles F. Armstrong (1866-1934) served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Captain Charles F. Armstrong served as the California State Range Officer circa 1910s whose responsibilities included instructing U.S. Army personnel in target shooting drills. The Factory Club Gun records show serial number "058" as having originally been a 6 1/2 inch, blue finish, .32/44 target model. The revolver was obviously changed to .44 Russian and an 8 inch barrel at the time of its return to the Smith and Wesson Factory for engraving and the other custom features, such as checkered trigger and grip straps. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

Exceptionally fine overall, retaining 99% of the factory reapplied blue finish with a light cylinder drag line, limited handling marks and highly attractive fiery colors on the pearl grips. The engraving is crisp. Mechanically excellent.