GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
EXCEPTIONAL SMITH & WESSON .44 DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER WITH FACTORY BOX AND IVORY GRIPS. SMITH & WESSON FRONTIER DBL ACTION 10390 44 RUSSIAN ESA Cal. 44 RUSSIAN. 6-1/2" bbl. with nickel finish overall mated with case color hammer and lever and brilliant blue trigger guard. Traditional Smith & Wesson 2-line address on top of bbl ending with 1880 patent date. Mounted with what is believed to be factory ivory grips and are so denoted on bottom of box in pencil as having ivory grips. These large frame No. 3 double action revolvers or simply known as Smith and Wesson .44 double action were used extensively in the Southwest, South America and even utilized abroad during the first World War were treasured by both lawmen and civilians alike. This fine example is housed in a factory brown pebble grain finished box with factory labels denoting "Frontier Smith & Wesson Double Action 44 Nickel 6-1/2". Matching number is penciled on bottom and a small inked warning stating that: "We do not guarantee this revolver when used with smokeless or nitro powders". Also a penciled section indicating "Ivory" obviously referring to the grips. PROVENANCE: The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Very fine overall with several small areas of finish loss found on front blade sight, high points of cylinder and on backstrap at confluence of grip and frame. Bore and mechanics are in working order and functioning properly. Bore is bright and sharp. The 2-pc ivory grips are quite solid with a very pleasant patina with several small age cracks at bottom, however no material loss is noted. Front sight blade has been slightly trimmed by hand, obviously for the previous owners shooting preference. Almost all case color remains on hammer and trigger and over 95% of the blue finish remains on trigger guard. The factory box is quite stellar as the label is exceptionally fine. Top of box shows slight wear at corners with one corner being loose. Included inside the box are two wiping brushes for bore maintenance. 53094-24 TDW (3,500-4,500) W/BOX