Manufactured from 1870 to 1872. As S&W expert Roy Double pointed out, "This was a work gun; a big, heavy-caliber holster gun worn openly and ready to hand; a timely gun indigenous to America on the move and a part of America's greatest adventures." Under contract to the U.S. Government Smith & Wesson produced 1,000 of this model for the cavalry soldiers of the U.S. Army and the remainder for civilian sales. This particular revolver is a civilian model. Difficult to obtain in any condition, an American Model revolver is indeed a rare and desirable firearm. The accompanying factory letter states that this revolver was sold on April 15, 1871 and delivered to M.W. Robinson Co., New York City with an 8-inch barrel, blue finish and smooth walnut grips. Provenance: The John Fox Collection