One of only around 1,000 manufactured circa 1882-1883, the Smith & Wesson Favorite is rarely found on the American market; while hard details are scarce, it is recorded that many of the Favorites were sold and shipped overseas, with only a very limited number held by domestic collectors. The signature feature of the Favorite is a series of steps taken by Smith & Wesson to reduce the weight and alter the balance of the revolver, as compared to other .44 Top Breaks, including a groove cut into the top of the rib, a slight rebating of the cylinder just ahead of the stop notches, and a groove cut into each side of the frame below the cylinder. "DWF" is stamped over the serial number on the butt (possibly for "Daniel Wesson Favorite"). Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. With a period open top/toe leather holster with tooled border motif. The revolver is pictured in Supica and Nahas' "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" on page 122 in the 4th edition, page 110 in the 3rd edition and page 71 in the 2nd edition and David Chicoine's "Smith & Wesson Sixguns of the Old West" on page 159. Provenance: The Supica Collection

Good with a classic well-traveled appearance to a very scarce 19th century firearm, exhibiting polished surfaces with slight traces of original nickel in the protected areas and cracked and chipped grips with good fire colors. Mechanically fine. With only around 1,000 manufactured, this rarely encountered S&W .44 DA Wesson Favorite is missing from even the most advanced collections. Hard to find in any condition, the .44 DA Wesson Favorite is a must have for the serious collector looking to complete his/her collection.