Manufactured in 1871-1872. This is one of only an estimated 2,500 total No. 3 American Models chambered in the highly prized .44 Henry Rimfire cartridge. Many Rimfire chambered American's went to Mexico through the S&W distributor Wexell & DeGress where they saw hard use. The relief carved Mexican eagle on the right grip panel certainly suggests that this example found its way south of the border. Overall this is a very rare variation of the No. 3 American that features a period broad scroll engraving in the New York style. Includes a hand stitched heavy leather tooled holster featuring a brass eagle on the front of the body. This revolver was featured on the back cover of the February 1997 issue of the "Gun Journal" (issue included), pictured in Dean Boorman's "The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms" on page 106, 2nd edition of "The Illustrated History of Firearms" on page 94, "Guns of the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum" on page 233, Supica and Nahas' "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" on pages 22 and 56 in the 2nd edition and pages 63 and 101 in the 4th edition, Chicoine's "Smith & Wesson Sixguns of the Old West" on pages 91, 102, 102 and 108, and Hardin's "Old Guns and Whispering Ghosts" on page 134, and was on display at the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum in 2013-2022. Provenance: The Supica Collection

Good, exuding a classic patina of a revolver that spent a lifetime "in the saddle". The attractively aged, weathered grips show similar character with a chip on the bottom and attractive aged mellow appearance. The engraving remains visible. Mechanically functions, but needs work as the trigger is very light. The holster is fine.