Offered here is an unusual S&W Schofield Revolver with the serial number "0," indicative of what is known in the S&W field as a "Club Gun". It is a First Model Schofield having the first type cylinder latch. The rear cylinder face carries the U.S. Ordnance stamps "W" and "P." There are no other visible U.S. Ordnance markings. The cylinder has the serial number "3084." The butt has the serial number "0" and a S&W factory rework star. The grip frame has the S&W factory January 1912 ("1 12") return date. S&W assembled firearms specifically for prizes and gifts to notable shooters of their day. Many of these purpose built guns bore a serial number "0" or a zero prefix number and were sent to shooting clubs to be presented to the winners of matches, hence the name "Club Gun". It is speculated that across the whole of S&W production only some 750 guns were made for these purposes according to Nahas and Supica on page 336 of the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson", of these 750, some 50 were made especially for the Wesson family. These highly prized guns were generally assigned "zero" serial number prefixes. For comparison see S&W .44 Double Action no. 0 that is identified on page 336 of the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" as a club gun, which is also in this auction Lot 81. The factory may have assembled this Schofield from available parts in 1912. The serial number on the cylinder places it within the Second Model serial number range (3036-8969), but as already stated, the design of the cylinder latch makes the revolver a First Model. The difference in the Second Models featured a rounded edge at the top of the latch. Provenance: The Supica Collection
Very fine, retaining 97% of the factory reapplied nickel plating. The grips are also very fine with some handling marks. Action needs work as hammer will not hold at the half or full cock positions. A very interesting club gun serial number "0" S&W First Model Schofield Revolver.
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