October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
A total of 5,934 manufactured for the US Government 1876 to 1877. This model was built on the top break frame, improved version of first model. Left grip appears to have matching number. Right panel also has a number but is hard to read and does not appear to be 5476. Left grip appears to have a small "F.J.". "US" stamp on bottom of butt. "5476" and "P" stamped on back of cylinder. CONDITION: All legends are sharp. Strong, clean rifled bore with distinct lands and grooves. Cartouche on left side of grip is visible but not readable. All metal is gun metal grey with a freckled barrel. Traces of color on hammer. Indexes and locks up correctly. All left frame screws are slightly boogered. Grips are excellent and slightly shy to metal. This gun has been attributed to Frank James and accompanied by a State of Minnesota affidavit sworn by Carroll A. Ray, eldest grandson of P.G. Carroll, in 1953. According to Philip Gregory Carroll, he witnessed the robbery of the First National Bank of Norfield, Minnesota. At approximately 2pm on September 7th, 1876 he was standing on the hotel veranda when the robbers poured out of the bank and gunfire erupted in the street. After approximately one minute of shooting, several of the robbers fled on their horses and rode out of town, with Mr. Carroll witnessing a tall mount drop a revolver while mounting his horse. Mr. Carroll then retrieved the Smith & Wesson Schofield revolver. All but two of the gang were able to escape. Paperwork appears to be parchment paper. Aside from the "FB" on grips and affidavit we have no other way to determine validity of letter. It was the type of gun favored by Frank James. Nice Second Model with purported history. Previously sold in a Julia's auction; it is worth between $3,000 an $5,000 dollars as a Schofield revolver and the value added by this singular piece of paper without any further substantiation is strictly subjective as we do not feel the presented evidence is enough to completely verify the history as it is currently presented, but it is a great gun nonetheless and offers a very interesting story.
Caliber/Bore
.45 Schofield
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson