Page 166 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 308
Excellent Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson
44 Double Action Frontier Revolver with Pearl Grips,
Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 2671, 44-40 Win cal.. Manufactured in 1889,
this 44 Double Action Frontier revolver was a Special Engraved Edition which
features S&W Factory “Style #3” floral scroll and punch dot engraving by Oscar Young, son of
Gustave Young. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the two line address/patent dates, and the matching serial number is marked on the butt, rear face of the
cylinder, on the barrel latch and on the top strap under the latch. The revolver is finished in nickel with a blue trigger guard and barrel latch and casehardened
trigger and hammer. Pinned blade front and notch rear sights and fitted with
smooth two piece pearl grips with gold S&W medallions. The accompanying factory letter
verifies the serial number, Special Engraved Edition, caliber, 5 inch barrel, nickel finish and that
it was shipped May 22, 1889 to G.O. Lawton, address unknown. The letter does note that the
revolver had checkered hard rubber grips when it was shipped and that the monogrammed
pearl grips were not available until after 1893. The revolver is accompanied by the correct factory
box with the matching serial number written in pencil. Only a very small number of the .44/40 DA
Frontier Models were factory engraved.
CONDITION: Excellent. The revolver retains 95% of the original nickel finish with overall scattered minor flaking and some muzzle wear. The trigger guard retains 90% of the original bright blue finish with some thinning. The trigger and hammer retain 90% original case colors. The grips are also excellent with a small chip on the lower left side and a few minor handling marks. The markings and engraving remain clear and crisp. The action is excellent. The extremely rare original box is very fine,
showing some corner wear.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,500
LOT 309
Outstanding and Unusual Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian 2nd Model Revolver - Serial no. 37655, 44
S&W Russian cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured from 1873 to 1878. The
Schuyler, Hartley & Graham distributor marking “SH” within a diamond is stamped on the butt. The barrel rib has the one-line address/patent dates legend ending in “RUSSIAN MODEL.” The letter “A” is stamped on the underside of the ejector shroud, suggesting this revolver may have been a rejected Russian military contract revolver that was sold on
the commercial market. This very unique Russian Model revolver also has a highly unusual and rare five-digit matching assembly number (“25038”) on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. All are unique features never previously seen by noted S&W scholars such as David Carroll, Charles Pate, C.B. Wilson, John Wilson, and Roy Jinks.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% original nickel finish with very limited very faint flaking. 97% original case colors remain on the hammer, and patterns of original case colors remain on the trigger guard. The grips are also excellent with some minor handling evidence and highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional and rare nickel 2nd Model Russian perfect for any S&W collection!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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