GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
RARE SMITH & WESSON FAVORITE 44 DA REVOLVER.SMITH & WESSON44DA971744S&WESACal 44 Russian. Nickel finish with 5" keyhole shaped bbl, target front sight & fixed U-notch rear sight as part of the bbl latch. Mounted with smooth 2-pc ivory grips. Frame has lightening cuts on the bottom forward sides below the cylinder. Cylinder also has lightening cuts around the circumference and the front portion is a smaller diameter. Lands between the flutes on the cyl are marked with the Smith & Wesson name and address along with various patent dates. Accompanied by a Smith & Wesson factory letter which identifies this revolver as having been shipped Dec 10,1887 to the M.W. Robinson Co. who was Smith & Wesson's major distributor of that era. There were about 1,000 of these revolvers produced 1882-1883 in 5 different bbl lengths, both nickel & blue with nickel predominating. CONDITION: Very good. Overall retains 15-20% nickel in sheltered areas with the balance having been cleaned to light metal patina. Cylinder is matching patina. Hammer, trigger & trigger guard are also matching patina with traces of case colors on sides of the trigger. Certifiable antique ivory grips, which are probably old replacements, have lanyard cutouts in the bottom edges. Grips have fine hairlines in the bottom edges and show moderate to heavy wear with a fine ivory patina. Mechanics are fine, strong frosty bore. 51505-7 JRL (2,500-3,500)