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LOT 1285
Rare Smith & Wesson No. 3 American 2nd
Model Single Action Revolver with Shoulder Stock - Serial no.
27065, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured form 1872 to 1874. This a rare variation as it is one
of only 604 Russian and American No. 3 revolvers combined factory cut for a shoulder
stock, which became available upon request beginning on March 29, 1873 (see “Smith
& Wesson 1857-1945 “ by Robert J. Neal and Roy G. Jinks on page 169/171). It has the
one-line address/patent dates marking on the rib, provision for a lanyard ring (filler screw) on the butt, nicely figured walnut grips, matching assembly numbers on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel latch and barrel, and a right grip panel numbered to the gun. The original and correct S&W detachable walnut stock has blue finished iron attaching hardware and buttplate. The back strap and butt are correctly factory cut for a shoulder stock. The butt serial number is fully legible. The butt of the stock and back of the buttplate have the S&W three digit assembly number “181.” Factory stocked No. 3 American 2nd Models are generally found in the over 20000 serial number range like
this example.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% plus original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. 60% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are also fine showing minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The stock retains 30% original blue finish on the attaching iron, retains nearly 97% original blue on the buttplate and has some minor handling evidence on the walnut. Factory stocked S&W No. 3 Americans rarely come up for sale. Do not miss your chance to acquire an elusive S&W variation that is missing from even the most advanced collections!
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 12,000
Records do exist of these 300 revolvers being issued; however, no
records exist of them being returned, and it is popular belief that once
the riots were put down all the revolvers were obtained by the California militia. This example is stamped with the rack number “293” behind the hammer, has U.S. grips featuring script cartouches on each panel and the date “1877” on the left panel, unnumbered cylinder, and matching serial numbers on the
but and right grip panel
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% plus original blue finish with the balance between smooth brown and gray patinas. Some original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are also fine with minor dings and scratches and clear cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500
LOT 1286
San Francisco Police Marked U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 7297, 45 S&W Schofield cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured for the U.S. military and later issued to the San Francisco Police Department by Benicia Arsenal. Approximately 300 Schofields were issued to the San Francisco Committee of Safety during the labor riots and civil unrest of 1877-78. The riots and unrest were a result of the great railroad strikes of 1877 that sprung up in many large cities across the United States.
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