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Collector’s Fact
1 of approximately 1,000 Smith & Wesson .44 Favorite Double Action revolvers manufactured.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED
IN THE BOOK THE WILLIAM M. LOCKE COLLECTION BY SELLERS
A KEY FEATURE OF THE FAVORITE SERIES TO REDUCE WEIGHT AND ADJUST BALANCE INCLUDED THE GROOVE IN THE TOP OF THE RIB AND IN EACH SIDE OF THE FRAME BELOW THE CYLINDER
LOT 3288
Deluxe New York Engraved Smith
& Wesson with “REISSUE” Markings and Factory Letter - Serial no.
955, 44 S&W cal., 6 1/2 inch bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured
circa 1874-1878, as one of the 9,000 Russians (both Second and Third models) produced with the “REISSUE
JULY 25.1871” patent date on the rib. The majority of the “Reissue” Russian production was consumed by foreign martial contracts, particularly to Imperial Japan and Turkey, with a much smaller number entering the
commercial market. Accompanied by a factory letter which states that this revolver was shipped to M.W. Robinson of New York City, Smith & Wesson’s largest distributor on August 5, 1877 as a 100 unit mixed order. This revolver was shipped with a 6-1/2” barrel,
nickel finish, butt swivel and walnut grips, with a note from S&W Historian Roy Jinks that the grips were most likely installed by Robinson’s company, which is known to have performed special order work directly for Smith & Wesson. The revolver was without
question part of a store display and was more than likely one of its centerpieces as it features a more deluxe and profuse pattern. The engraving extends from the muzzle to the butt and exhibits a beautiful scroll, vine and punch dot pattern. The revolvers most unusual motifs are exhibited on
the circular barrel hinge and on the barrel latch. Fitted with a beautiful pair of grips, again no question done as part of the display. Integral forged blade front sight and latch notch rear, with the large knurled takedown screw ahead of the latch and matching full serial numbers on the latch, barrel,
cylinder and butt, the latter next to a boxed “1874” stamp and a small “P” inspector proof.
CONDITION: Excellent retaining as much esthetic beauty as it did while it was a display gun with 95% nickel finish showing flaking throughout but concentrated to the cylinder and forcing cone. The grips are very good having taken on a pleasant aged mellow patina with minor shrinkage and age cracks on the butt. All in all this revolver has aged brilliantly as it truly has a striking presence. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3289
Very Scarce Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action Wesson Favorite Revolver Formerly of the Famed William M. Locke Collection - Serial no. 9673, 44 S&W Russian cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. One of only around 1,000 manufactured circa 1882-1883, the Smith & Wesson Favorite is rarely found on the American market; while hard details are scarce, it is recorded that many of the Favorites were sold and shipped overseas, with only a very limited number held by domestic collectors. The signature feature of the Favorite is a series of steps taken by Smith & Wesson to reduce the weight and alter the balance of the revolver, as compared to other .44 Top Breaks, including a groove cut into the top of the rib, a slight rebating of the cylinder just ahead of the stop notches, and a groove cut into each side of the frame below the cylinder. The grip frame has a factory rework star and a November 1964 (“11 64”) factory return date. Matching serial numbers on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. This revolver is pictured and described by serial number on page 372 of The William M. Locke Collection by Sellers, as being shipped to Max Fielder, St. Petersburg, Russia. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% frosted factory reapplied nickel plating with some light flaking. The grips are fine with some minor handling evidence and recut checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: William M. Locke and Dr. Gerald Klaz collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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