S&W FACTORY LETTER. FROM 2006, ROY G. JINKS there is no doubt this is the rarest double action revolver ( or revolver) EVER manufactured by S&W. It was the PERSONAL design and project of Daniel B. Wesson. As early as the 1870’d D.B. Wesson was trying double action designs in .44 caliber. NO ONE had a DA in .44 !! The idea came from a possible Contract with the Russian Navy, they declined, BUT D.B. Wesson kept designing. He wanted a Lighter Weight DA revolver, in large 44 caliber. How was this accomplished? weight was removed by cutting grooves in various locations on the revolver.* On the Frame both sides below the cylinder. Regarding cylinder, the front portion diameter was reduced. The barrel was standardized at Five inches, all of them, and the barrel rib was grooved the full length. Therefore, the Company Patents, Address, were rolled on the cylinder, between the flutes. The front sight became a blade, BUT with sighting bead on top/standard. By 1888, the Russian Navy declined, The finished units were held in stock inventory until 1888, when they were added to the Company Catalogue and Price list. By end 1888 beginning 1889 they mysteriously were removed from the Price List. Being reduced to special orders only. D.B. Wesson’s dream of military contracts never materialized, after SIX years , they were sold as Company surplus, as special orders for $13.75 It should be noted, where did the DA FIRST Model 44 R. pick up the Name Navy Model ?. D.B. WESSON, always knew Military Names sold revolvers. Also it was his first attempt to sell to the Russian Navy. By 1889 they had disappeared from the Sales Catalogues, as mysteriously AS THEY appeared. Eventually some sold, on special orders, maybe information leaked out about a Light weight .44 Double Action. Serial No. 9732 went to M.W. Robinson
THIS WESSON FAVORITE DID SELL ON DECEMBER 13, 1893, TO M.W. ROBINSON, NY CITY , then to a Customer. Witnessed by the Original Pearl grips, undoubtedly added by Robinson for a Customer, They are the original grips after the walnut grips were changed at customer request.
Currently the ORIGINAL nickel finish is present at about 45-50% level. The balance is a soft muted medium gray patina. The original 5 inch barrel and bead front sight is still present. ALL factory applied markings are present. Cylinder patents and address, some what faded due to wear. There is still recognizable case coloring on the hammer and trigger . MECHANICALLY : ON ALL working actions it OPERATES 100% CORRECT, DOUBLE AND SINGLE ACTION NO MECHAINICAL PROBLEMS ; THAT IS OPENING, EJECTING, CLOSING, LOCKING TIGHT AND PERFECT CYLINDER ROTATION, LOCKING WHEN COCKING, AND A SMOOTH RELREASE TO FIRE. THE PEARL GRIPS HAVE NO DAMAGE, AND have VIBRANT FIREY RAINBOW COLORS AND SHOW THEY ARE 143 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT CONDITION.
ROY G. JINKS LONG TIME HISTORIAN FOR S&W, STATES THEY ARE SO SCARCE, ONLY A HANDFUL CAN BE FOUND IN THE HANDS OF COLLECTORS.,, AND RARER WITH PEARLS.**THIS INFORMATION AND MORE CAN BE FOUND IN ” A History of Smith & Wesson” by Roy G. Jinks. See pages 133- 134
