SMITH & WESSON NEW MODEL No.3 IN 44/40, "THE FRONTIER SINGLE ACTION"..1885

This "Frontier Single Action" is even more desirable as it is a 2 digit Serial Number, 6X, literally first day production! It has the 6-1/2 inch barrel, and 99.999% of the original factory nickel plated finish ! There are faded case colors on the hammer and trigger guard. This was in the opinion of many, the finest single action offering from S&W. A sleek, easy to load and quick to unload long barrel revolver, certainly strong competition to the Colt Single Action. Even the new caliber 44/40 NOT 44 Russian. A perfect pairing with the Model 73 Winchester. ALL factory applied markings are crisp and present, barrel address and serial number. This is easily distinguished from the regular New Model ( 1-7/16" cylinder) as it has the 1-9/16 inch cylinder and slightly longer frame to accommodate the 44/40 cartridge. A fine revolver and not forgotten by notable members of the Frontier and seen in many Old Western Cabinet card photographs. The revolver is fitted with original S&W checkered hard rubber grips, and have NO significant wear or damge.

Mechanically it is 100%, in EVERY working action. It breaks open, ejector rises and falls, it is ready to reload, it closes tight, and cocks and indexes, quickly and correctly. No wonder " shootists" of the Old West admired this model.

PRICE $4,100 SALES HOLD

A Russian revolver is INDEED a rare find today, anywhere, especially in the U.S. Once these revolvers were shipped by S&W to Russia, they hardly if ever left the country. They were stored in the Arsenals, and unbelievably saw use all the way up to WWII. This 3rd Russian , Russian is Serial No. 1458X, and was in the first shipment of 1874. In 1874 Russia was entangled in a War with Turkey and Uzbek. Surprisingly this revolver is by all reasonable comparisons to service revolvers in very good condition. It has about 55-60% original blue, ALL parts are original, and the mechanics are PERFECT !

Cyrillic Barrel address and the Double Russian Eagle above KO the Inspecting Officer. This was a very accurate and dependable revolver. It began as evolutionary improvement from the 1st Model Russian, thru the 2nd Russian, the 3rd being the finished product of the cooperation with the Russian Inspectors and the design modifications of Alonzo King with S&W. It was a significant contract for S&W, and a smaller number were civilian production and sold here in the U.S. by M.W. Robinson, and to a lesser degree by Hartley & Graham. This 3rd Russian is ALL matching: all inspector numbers etc.. ALL parts are the original parts, including grips.

Besides the 55-60% blue present, you can also see traces of case color hardening on the hammer and trigger guard. Like I said earlier a fine example for what it is ! A RARE and seldom encountered S&W, with a great history! FACTOID: Most of these were Arsenal stored, and the beginning of the Russian Revolution, the " White" Russian Army seized the Arsenals, and fought against the "Red" Bolsheviks with these revolvers. SCARCE and HISTORICAL S&W revolver.

PRICE $3,950

The Ivory grip is relief carved into a typical Civil War era Patriotic motif. The carving is known as " Lady Columbia" wearing the Liberty Cap and surrounded by an American flag at her neck. The No.2 Army was the largest frame revolver that S&W had to offer during the Civil War, chambered in .32 rim fire long. Serial No. 1980X exemplifies the deluxe treatments available for the right buyer. It was extremely popular with the soldiers, both enlisted and Officers. Many famous personages carried them or owned them, such as George A. Custer, and "Wild Bill" Hickok. The number of presentations to the Military we will never know, BUT this one was certainly a special No.2. It is FULLY and originally Silver Plated, deluxe grips and cased. Mechanically it works 100% correctly on ALL working actions. The case has an antique patina, excellent color and NO damage. The interior is a wonderful wine color showing only age with NO rips or damage. The Silver plate is still very strong , with only a minimal spot or two where some patina has formed. Overall it is a 90% finish, still present. The cylinder still has the 1855 and 1859 original patent dates clearly exhibited around the center of the cylinder.

Price $ 4,650

Domestically this revolver is incredibly difficult for the collector to obtain. Approximately 5,000 were manufactured for sale to the Turkish Government. This was accomplished by altering the standard production frame to accept the rim fire hammer. The center fire hole on recoil shield (frame) was filled, and the slot was cut to accommodate the rim fire hammer. Serial No. 4087X is one of these rare No. 3 Russians. This revolver was shipped to Turkey as one of the 5,000 filling the military contract. Removing the grips. on the left side of the grip frame, you will find Turkish Characters on the frame edge.

 This makes it  a REAL scarce 3rd Model Russian/ Turkish Contract Finished in factory blue about 35% remains, the balance of the surface has a mixing of plum patina and light gray. Mechanically the 3rd Russian/Turkish Model , breaks open, the ejector rises and falls correctly, closes tightly, cocks, indexes and locks correctly. In other words a perfect working action. This Model in this caliber is seldom if never seen in the U.S. for sale. The .44 Henry flat rim fire remained popular in the World and American southwest and Mexico well into the 20th century. It's popularity no doubt due to the pairing with Winchester rifles. The Walnut grips are in excellent condition, only minor hand marks, smooth with a fine antique patina. Important: all serial numbers match, as to all assembly numbers found on parts.The above right side image clearly shows the Rim Fire firing pin. ALL parts are original to this S&W. You find , UNFORTUNATELY, so many 2nd and 3rd models with their trigger guard Sash Hooks cut off, fortunately NOT the case with this 3rd Russian/Turkish.

PRICE $ 3,950

The Model No. 3 , a.k.a. The American .44 Model, really put S&W into the game ! Prior to 1870, the company's only "big frame" revolver was the less than big frame Army No. 2 in .32 rim fire. However in 1870 they geared up and introduced the top break, .44 Models, the American Model in .44 AM, and the Old Old Russian Model in .44R, physically the same except for caliber. QUICKLY followed by the 2nd Model, which made a slight change in the frame, to accommodate the stronger trigger hold pin. This 2nd American, Serial No. 2175X, is in remarkable condition. It has about 95% of all the original nickel plated finish. What is IMPORTANT, it has never been touched ! no cleaning, polishing etc... it has that natural 141 year old luster. ALL assembly numbers are matching, all serial numbers match, and ALL parts are original. Mechanically it operates PERFECTLY, breaking open, closing, cocking, locking and firing , every time ! ALL factory applied markings are present and visible.

This Model 2 American was very popular on  the frontier, used by the likes of: Wyatt Earp, "Texas Jack" Omohundro, Dallas Stoudenmire, John Wesley Hardin, Cole Younger, Belle Starr, and so on and so forth....  PRICE $ 3,795

The Walnut Grips are in perfect condition, with a fine antique luster, and are numbers to the revolver.