Page 163 - 83-BOOK3

Real Art • Real History • Real Iron
Royal Exhibition Building of
the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880
Collector’s Fact
Of the 977 Smith & Wesson 320 Revolving Rifles manufactured, only 514 were produced with an 18 inch barrel. Based on research done by Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks, only two Smith & Wesson 320 rifles were factory engraved.
This rifle features an 18 inch barrel with a globe front sight with cross hair aperture and two leaf folding rear sight on a rib marked with the two
line address/patent date marking ahead of the rear sight and a scroll and punch dot engraving behind the rear sight which extends to the breech. The misplaced previously issued factory letter “confirms configuration and attributes the engraving to the master Mr. Gustave Young.” Further,
it stated “this rifle was engraved at the time the factory was preparing
a group of firearms to be sent to the World Exhibition being held in Melbourne, Australia.” Lastly and probably most pertinent Mr. Jinks stated: “Based on my research only one other factory engraved revolving rifle
is known and it has been refinished.” Let it be known that upon further examination it is my humble opinion that this revolving rifle has been period factory refinished. Based on the information given on this revolving rifle from the original factory letter one can conclude that this rifle was made for exhibition to be displayed by Smith & Wesson at the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880, and what better place to show it off
than at the World’s Fair! Similar to the practices of other well known firearms manufactures known for large exhibition displays, in particular Winchester, most rifles and carbines not sold were returned to the factory to be restored, and would often times be a part of the next grand display which is what I surmise is the case with this particular revolving rifle.
After the fair the gun was returned to the factory and restored to like
new condition as was the practice for other exhibition guns of the period. While it is unknown exactly when S&W began applying markings such
as the * (See Jink and Neal “Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 which states the
* did not appear in a factory catalog until 1900),
this gun would no doubt predate those practices.
The rear sides of the barrel and barrel lug also feature
the engraved scrollwork. The beautifully executed scroll and
punch dot engraved motif covers the sides of the frame and extends to the top and sides of the top strap, the area around and behind the hammer and on the back strap. The cylinder chambers are also engraved with the same scroll pattern. The matching serial number appears on the butt, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and trigger guard. The barrel is fitted with a checkered hard rubber red mottled forearm with the S&W monogram on the underside. The grips are matching with S&W monograms in a circle at the tops. The stock is smooth Circassian walnut with blue finished attaching iron and a checkered black hard rubber buttplate with S&W monogram. The stock attaching iron has
a matching scroll and punch dot engraving that is featured on the firearm. The original leather case has a leather handle and nickel corner protectors. The lining is felt and there are three compartments (one for the rifle, one for the stock and one for a box of cartridges. The inside of the lid as a paper S&W caution label. Also with the gun are the following: stock peep sight, two extra sights (blade front and globe front sight), a box of UMC S&W .32 caliber revolving rifle cartridges and wooden cleaning rod. CONDITION: Excellent as period factory restored following the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. This revolving rifle retains 95% high polished factory blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the high points. The hammer and trigger guard retain nearly all their strong vivid
original case colors. The forearm and grips are also excellent with a few light handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The
stock is excellent
with some minor
handling marks and
the attaching hardware retaining 95% factory blue finish. The case is fine with the exterior showing some scattered minor wear/handling marks, and the lining showing wear. Truly a spectacular example of a very rare firearm engraved by renowned Master Engraver Gustave Young that had been and would be a centerpiece of any advance Smith & Wesson collection! Provenance: The Mac McCroskie Collection, The Gary Garbrecht Collection, and The Dr. Don Anderson Collection.
Estimate: 100,000 - 170,000
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