April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
One of the only 1,000 Model 3 Smith & Wesson revolvers adopted by the US Gov't. Smith & Wesson markings with "US" marked on the top of the rib. The Smith & Wesson was serious competitor of the Colt Single Action Army for the position of being the primary sidearms for US Military forces. The strong influence of Colt firearms politically was one the leading factors of the Smith & Wesson not being more heavily tested and considered. CONDITION: Frame retaining some of the original bright blue finish, with some edge wear and turning to a light brown patina. Barrel is brown with traces of original blue finish and some brown staining. Cylinder has some blue mixing with plum and some light brown staining. A line through the cylinder stops. Trigger guard and hammer with a nice mottle brown look. All edges and markings are nice sharp and crisp. Grips have a nice readable cartouche in the left grip, you can see the outline of the rectangular and the "OWA", some edge wear. Overall an excellent example of a Smith & Wesson American issued to the U.S. Army. Comes with a factory letter verified configuration and that revolver was shipped March 16th, 1871 to the United States National Armory at Springfield, Massachusetts in an order for 800 blue finished models and 200 nickel finished models. CORRECTION: Factory letter states gun was shipped 1871.
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson