Engraved in the Young family shop, this is a Smith & Wesson No. 3 revolver with target sights and fine carved Mexican eagle and snake grips. The revolver features nicely executed scroll and punch dot engraving on the sides of the barrel, cylinder, and frame. The front end is mismatched to the frame, but the engraving is nearly identical, indicating it was done by the same hand. The trigger and hammer are finely checkered. The engraving covers approximately one-third of the revolver. The revolver has a high-polish blue finish, casehardened hammer, trigger and trigger guard. The revolver is fitted with target front and rear sights. The front sight blade is topped with a bead and inserted in a groove on the barrel rib. The adjustable target type rear sight is mounted on the barrel catch. The grips are later replacements. The S&W New Model No. 3 two-line address is located on the top of the barrel rib. The serial number "29731" is stamped on the butt. The cylinder and barrel are numbered "32530". The barrel latch is unnumbered. Factory letters for both serial numbers (29731 and 32530) are included. Per the factory letters, both guns were special orders, but there are no details for the special features nor of how they came together, which would certainly be an interesting story. No. 29731 is listed with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and was shipped on August 22, 1901 and delivered to National Rifle Association Secretary A.S. Janes of Washington D.C. No. 32530 is listed with a 7 inch barrel and was shipped on March 6, 1898 and delivered to American pistol champion G. Armstrong of San Francisco. All frames for these revolvers were manufactured prior to 1899, which makes the gun an antique, but were cataloged into the early 1900s. This is still a handsome New Model Number 3 with genuine period engraving that appears to be done by a member of the Young family. Provenance: The Supica Collection

Fine with 40% thinning original blue remaining on the barrel mostly in protected areas the balance a smooth gray patina. The frame retains 90% original blue finish with the majority of the wear on the backstrap. The hammer and trigger guard retain 40% original case colors. The grips are excellent and have taken on a pleasant mellow tone and the carving is crisp. A nice representation example of the Young family style engraving on a S&W New Model No. 3 Revolver.