.44 HENRY RIM FIRE...One of ONLY, 2,157, with 1st Model style, NO notch Hammer !!

A member of the true "OLD WEST" club, is the S&W 2nd Model American in .44 Henry Rim Fire. This Model was manufactured between 1872 and 1874, in a total quantity of 20,735 pieces. HOWEVER, ONLY 3,014 were produced in .44 Rim Fire, and OF THAT NUMBER, only 2,157 had the first style , "no notch" Hammer. The .44 Henry rim fire cartridge became famous during the Civil War, and then with the '66 Winchester, a.k.a. the "Yellow Boy", then on to the .44 Open Top by Colt. This eight inch barrel, 2nd Model American, Serial No. 1272X, saw continued use for many years. This revolver came out of the "brush" and spent most of it's life in the Trans-Pecos West Texas area. The .44 Rim Fire held on much longer ! in that area, and shared popularity across the Rio Grande in Mexico. It's hard to say exactly where this Rim Fire was, but it's probably bi-lingual !! Today, the finish is a dark gray patina, with smooth metal, and some plum coloring, a true and correct  untouched finish.

ALL parts are original to the revolver, and matching assembly number parts, and serial numbers. The "Break-Open" shell extraction system operates PERFECTLY. The cocking, locking, indexing, and firing modes ALL function perfectly. Simply stated, the American works 100% correctly. The factory applied barrel address with patent dates is clear and sharp. For the most part, all the screw head slows are clean and crisp. A VERY SCARCE Model in .44 Rim Fire, and very much the part of the "Old West" !  PRICE $4,250

Original Walnut Grips, Serial Numbered to the revolver. They show use on the Old Texas Frontier, and the color produced by the sweat of a mans hand.

RARE and SCARCE FACTORY SIX INCH BARREL....plus IVORY GRIPS.

When this Model was manufactured, almost the entire production was allocated to the Russian Government, 20.014 revolvers. ONLY 4,665 SPECIMENS SAW THEIR WAY INTO THE U.S. COMMERCIAL MARKET. This First model Russian , is one of the commercially sold specimens, bearing Serial No. 1178X.

The barrel address is clear and sharp, all the patent dates, company address, and ending in Russian Model. THERE IS A DEFINITE Premium FOR THE 6 INCH BARREL, IT IS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE!  The revolver has about 60% of the original factory nickel plating, the balance is a light gray patina, that blends exceptionally well, creating an image of higher finish levels. The top-break system for loading, and unloading spent cartridges works perfectly. The cocking, locking, indexing, and firing mechanics are also perfect! the revolver is highlighted with a very nice pair of factory Ivory grips.

This is a very scarce revolver, due to limited production, and especially in the 6 inch barrel. An excellent addition to any Frontier arms collection. Speaking of Frontier, it was just this .44 Russian Model, that John Wesley Hardin carried, and in 1874 dispatched the Sheriff of Comanche Texas, putting him on the run, never turning back ! PRICE $4,250

This is an INCREDIBLY small window of variation within the First Model American Series. The difference between the 1st Model , and the Transition Model are two changes:

1. Cylinder length is now 1.423", rather than 1.450"                                 2. New Interlocking Hammer Notch with barrel catch

This revolver has about 25-30% of it's original factory blue finish, the balance is a perfect "plum" patina, from the darkening and aging of the blue. Almost all the case hardening colors remain on the hammer.The grips are a smooth Walnut, with a fine antique luster. All factory markings: barrel address, and Serial Number are clear and distinct. ALL mechanical functions associated with un-loading, and loading via the top-break system function perfectly. The cocking, cylinder rotation, indexing, and  firing mechanics ALL function perfectly. Serial No. 723X is a fine and classic example of a VERY scarce 1st Model American. This revolver has ONE MORE interesting feature: the Front Sight. The sight is somewhat original to the revolver: not the factory sight, BUT an 1871 American Quarter is now the front sight. The date is visible on the top of the coin. The date of 1871 coincides with the date of the revolver!

Simply a marvelous First Model " Transition" American .44, a fine addition to any collection. PRICE $ 4,850

UNUSUAL  S&W FACTORY LETTER..

Baby Russian, Serial No. 1992X, has about 99% of all it's original factory nickel plate finish, with some dark "pepper" spotting on the left hand side of the revolver.

The Baby Russian saw a very short manufacturing span, one year only, 1876 - 1877, in a limited quantity of only 25,548 revolvers. This S&W has the more elusive of the two standard barrel lengths, being four inches, rather than three and a quarter inches. The top-break action functions perfectly, opening, and closing, while ejecting spent cartridges. The working action of cocking, and firing work perfectly! The early style checkered hard rubber grips, with block letter logo, are in perfect condition. This S&W " Baby Russian " has an unusual factory letter. It was a ONE piece shipment, directly to an INDIVIDUAL, and in the words of Roy Jinks, who composed the letter, it states, " This revolver was an individual purchase, which is unusual for the company to sell to an individual". Perhaps a diligent research of the individual would yield some historical significance.  PRICE $1,500

In doing a very superficial search of the City where the S&W was shipped, there are two strong possibilities. The owner of the Baby Russian was either in the Boot and Shoe business, or the Coal business.

EARLY "BLOCK LETTER" LOGO

Serial No. 1248X is a Commercially Sold Stocked New Model No. 3, that was used HERE in the U.S., Kansas to be specific.

This revolver has about 95% of it's original nickel plate finish, thinning, with some light blending gray, on the sides of the barrel. however, it makes a very strong appearance in overall finish. The checkered hard rubber grips are in perfect condition. The condition of the detachable stock is 99.99% overall, and is housed in it's ORIGINAL S&W box. **The bottom of the box, in 1880's period ink, etc...is written, "Property of Bank of Mead", Mead Kans' ". I looked up the City, and it is in the Southwest corner of Kansas, and County Seat, of Mead County. Not many stocked New Model No.3's were sold domestically, the fame went to Australia, for the ones they ordered for their Constabulary. The New Model No.3 is PERFECT in all phases of it's mechanical operations, from unloading, to loading, and firing. SELDOM do Collectors have the chance to buy a STOCKED Frontier Revolver, of any brand, and then one that is identified to the West! and undoubtedly to guard the Bank, against Robbery...as the 1880's was full of Bank Robbers, from the James' to the Daltons'. PRICE $6,500

Of all the pistols associated with the American West, none are more captivating to the interest than ones with detachable Shoulder Stocks. All the major companies produced them, Colt, S&W, even Merwin, Hulbert. They gave the user the added dimension of a pistol, turned carbine! This is an EXCEPTIONALLY rare combination. Almost all the Stocked Smith &Wesson's were Single Actions, Americans, or New Model No.3's. This one, Serial No.4950X, is a Double Action, .44 Russian. This 1st Model DA revolver is late production, therefore it has the 1-9/16 inch cylinder, even though it is chambered for the .44 Russian cartridge. The metal parts of the stock and revolver are all matching, as both were finished in the blue. The overall condition is superb, with 99.9% of all the original S&W blue on the revolver, and 100% of all the case hardening colors on the hammer and trigger. The mechanical action is PERFECT. It breaks open, ejects the spent cartridges, the star ejector returns to the cylinder, and it close tightly. The ACTIONS both single action and double action work PERFECTLY, and with tight precision. The wooden stock is smooth, NO damage, and has a fine antique luster. All screw heads are perfect, in both revolver and stock.

CASE COLORS PRESENT ON HAMMER

Just recently, this revolver was examined by Peter Derosa, Roy Jinks, of Smith & Wesson, and Jim Supica. It is their joint opinion, this revolver very well could have been supplied to the New South Wales Police in Australia. After the initial contract ( same Model combination), in which all were marked with the "Broad Arrow", it is known quite a few were supplied later by M.W. Robinson, as quantities were too small for a factory run, and too intermittent. This is an outstanding opportunity for the collector to purchase a VERY SCARCE combination: A .44 DA with FACTORY matching Stock. PRICE $6,500

Shows ORIGINAL BLUE finish on stock, to match the S&W DA .44 Revolver.

SMITH & WESSON, DOUBLE ACTION FRONTIER REVOLVER, 44/40 CALIBER /FACTORY PEARL GRIPS.

Smith & Wesson introduced their .44 caliber Double Action revolvers in 1881, however, chambered in the .44 Russian caliber. Perhaps realizing that the main stream of 44, was the 44/40 employed by Colt and Winchester, making the famous pistol, rifle combination. So, S&W produced 15,340 Double Actions in 44/40, in their own Serial Range. Serial No. 1390X is one of this model. It has the scarcer  five inch barrel, and is finished in nickel plating, of which 98% still remains. The trigger and hammer exhibit strong case color, and the trigger guard has most of it's high polish blue remaining. The grips are a stunning pair of Mother of Pearl, probably factory.

The action, on both single, and double action functions perfectly. The revolver breaks open, and ejects all shells correctly, and the ejector rod correctly snaps closed after the procedure. Company barrel address and patents are crisp and strongly visible. This revolver found favor on the "Old Frontier", being employed by John Wesley Hardin, and Belle Shirley (Starr). A very strong example of a relatively scarce Double Action 44/40 " Frontier" Revolver. PRICE $2,450  

A Smith & Wesson, Model 1-1/2, 2nd Issue, tip up .32 rim fire. Serial No. 10580X is either Factory engraved, or period New York engraved, the quality in this case is the same. It was once full nickel plate, however, only about 5% of the nickel remains. The finish is a smooth gray patina, showing moderate use. The engraving remains very distinct, showing only minimal wear. The barrel address is very distinct and clear, as are all other factory applied markings. The tip up action functions perfectly, as do ALL phases of cocking, locking , and firing. A mechanically perfect revolver. The Pearl grips are in perfect condition, and have great luster and radiant color. Perhaps a S&W letter would be in order to determine the origins of the engraving. An engraved example of a 1-1/2 S&W, showing all the cuts of the 19th century masters!  PRICE $ 1,650

Following the initial success of the First Model American, S&W made a few minor design changes, and introduced the 2nd Model American in 1872. It was in production for two years until 1874, for a total of 20,735 revolvers. Serial No. 2304X, is the Standard 8 inch barrel, single action 2nd Model American, chambered for the .44 American cartridge. It was very popular, and many "western notables" carried this model, on both sides of the badge ! This specimen has about 65% of the original S&W factory nickel plate finish, the balance a light gray patina. The right hand side is definitely stronger, probably due to being carried in a holster for many years. The walnut grips are smooth, and have a fine antique walnut luster, and no damage. All parts are original to the revolver. The action of breaking open, loading, closing, and the firing sequence, ALL function with perfect precision. The barrel address of S&W, and the patent dates are clear sharp, and very legible. A very honest frontier revolver, and splendid example of a 2nd Model American. PRICE $ 3,500