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Documented Factory Gold Decorated Smith & Wesson New Model Target with Rare Pipe Case
LOT 1284
Factory Oscar Young Gold Inlaid and Inscribed Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Revolver with Pearl Grips and Rare Pipe Case - Serial no. 32564, 44 S&W Russian cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter indicates that this revolver was shipped on March 16, 1899 to the Edward K. Tryon Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and it left the factory with gold inlay by Oscar Young. The left side of the frame is inscribed “S. Anderson” in gold. Note that the line under the signature resembles a sword. The right side of the frame has an unusual gold inlaid sword motif. Although the revolver has a factory rework star on the butt and factory October 1942 return date (“10.42”) on the left side of the grip frame, the gun lacks a factory refinish mark which indicates return for repair or adjustment. The finish on the revolver is original. As S&W historian Roy Jinks points out in the factory letter, “Records do not indicate the type of service work performed by the factory in 1942.” The revolver has target sights, the one-line address on the barrel rib, S&W medallion pearl grips, and matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. Comes with a rare period correct pipe case. Unfortunately S. Anderson remains unidentified at the time of this writing. However, the sword motifs suggests that S. Anderson was involved in the sport of fencing. As reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer on January 16, 1898, fencing had become a popular sport in America at the turn of the century: “The fair devotees of society are taking an active interest in fencing...Philadelphia lovers of bodily exercise have at last found out that the sword, aside from being useful as a mode of dueling, is of a higher importance as an exercise.” The popularity of fencing resulted in the founding of the Amateur Fencers League of America (AFLA) by a group of New York fencers in 1891. Ninety years later the AFLA later changed its name to the United States Fencing Association, which continues to operate to this day. Also of interest is S. Anderson of Pennsylvania who is identified as an active competition skeet shooter in period newspapers. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. 95% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. There is some chipping at the top on the right panel, otherwise the grips are fine with minimal handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The pipe case is fine with minor handling/storage marks and typical high spot wear on the lining. A very interesting Oscar Young gold inlaid New Model No. 3 Target Revolver in an equally rare pipe casing! It is definitely a one-of-a-kind! Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection. Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
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