In the accompanying factory letter S&W historian Roy Jinks states that this New Model No. 3 is a "club gun" which is not listed in the factory club gun records. "Club Guns" are a special group of handguns S&W gave or loaned to factory personnel, shooting clubs and/or notable shooters as samples or test guns. These highly prized guns were generally assigned "zero" serial number prefixes. The "03" serial number is stamped on the butt with matching single digit "3" on the cylinder and barrel latch. The barrel has the fitter's number or "9" which is repeated on the cylinder under the extractor star. The revolver has the two-line barrel rib legend, target sights, and a set of checkered walnut grips. Includes a correct period New Model No. 3 box with the number "33695" and bore brush. Provenance: The Supica Collection