GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
SCARCE MARTIALLY MARKED SMITH & WESSON SCHOFIELD 1ST MODEL SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.SMITH & WESSONSCHOFIELD158045 SCHOFIELDCal 45 S&W (Schofield). Blue finish with 7" keyhole shape bbl, half moon front sight with fixed rear sight in the bbl latch. Sides of the ejector housing have standard markings. Mounted with matching numbered, smooth, 2-pc walnut grips with a clear, legible cartouche on the left side. Toe of the buttstrap is marked with a small "US". The U.S. Government ordered and had delivered 3,000 of these revolvers in 1875 which were issued to various Cavalry units. Many of this production were issued to the 4th Cavalry Regiment, "Buffalo Soldiers", a regiment of black Cavalry who fought courageously during the Indian Wars and saw service in the Geronimo campaign. Various outlaws & lawmen are recorded as having carried Schofield revolvers including brothers Frank & Jesse James and Cole Younger of the James Gang. U.S. Marshall Bill Tilghman & Custer Chief Scout, "Lonesome Charlie" Reynolds also were known to carry Schofield revolvers. These revolvers remained in service only a short period of time before being sold as surplus to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, New York distributors who shortened the barrels to 5" and sold them to Wells Fargo. Very few orig specimens remain today, especially with orig finish. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching. Bbl retains traces of orig blue in sheltered areas being mostly a blue/brown patina with moderate pitting around the muzzle & right side of the bbl. Frame retains about 60% thinning orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas. Frontstrap, backstrap & buttstrap along with the trigger guard are a gray metal patina. Hammer retains about 40-50% strong case colors. Cylinder shows thin blue in the flutes being a blue/brown patina on the outer diameter. Grips show heavy wear and a hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with scattered pitting. 51735-2 JRL (7,000-10,000)