April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
Manufactured from 1879 to 1887, a mere 514 were manufactured with the 18" barrel. The cartridge, referred to as the .320 Revolving Rifle was introduced exclusively for this gun with dimensions similar to the .32-44 Target cartridge, but with a longer brass case. The lead bullet is seated completely within the cartridge case, much like a Wadcutter round. The basis for this rifle is a top break New Model No. 3 frame equipped with a long barrel and a gutta percha forend, also unique to this model in its orange and black appearance. This rifle is also equipped with Smith & Wesson monogrammed grips with orange and black color themed, but darker. This rifle came standard with a detachable walnut buttstock and a Smith & Wesson monogrammed buttplate, blued mounting hardware and a screw-in lollipop style tang sight. Stock is not serial numbered. Features a full length rib with Smith & Wesson patent dates on top, a small two leaf folding rear sight, standard dovetail brass bead front sight, blued finish, six shot, single action with case colored hammer and trigger guard. Backstrap is factory drilled with mounting hole and the butt has a mounting slot. Serial No. 205 is stamped on butt. Matching 205 can be found stamped back of cylinder, under release latch and the rear barrel flat. CONDITION: Bright factory blue on recesses of rib, while barrel itself is a pleasing soft patina with flashes of blue. Cylinder is basically a soft chocolate patina with some blue in the flutes. Frame retains approximately 20% original factory blue but has faded to a homogeneous, soft patina with some light age freckling. Case colors on hammer and trigger guard have faded to a soft nickel with some color in recesses. Forearm and grips are original and in excellent condition. There is no number etched on right grip panel but they fit precisely with no cracks or chips. Walnut stock is excellent with a few dings. Buttplate is 100% intact. Mounting hardware exhibits 30% of the original high polish factory blue, blending with soft patina. Lollipop style sight retains 90% of the bright nitre blue finish. There is a small hole drilled at the back of the upper tang that was done during period of manufacture; use unknown. Indexes and locks up sporadically and needs some attention to the locking lug or hand. Bore exhibits strong, well defined rifling but frosted with some light abrasion. Stock locks up and attaches like new. An eye-pleasing, homogeneous, untouched, all original and scarce Smith & Wesson revolving rifle.
Accessories
Shoulder Stock
Caliber/Bore
.320 Revolving Rifle Cartridge
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson