Smith & Wesson 2

1st MODEL, US, 45 SMITH & WESSON SCHOFIELD

POST CAVALRY SERVICE

WELLS, FARGO & Co. EXPRESS 1st MODEL SCHOFIELD…AREA OF USE, IDENTIFIED….TEXAS

Here we have a very special 1st Schofield .45, first being in US Service/Cavalry, then sold as Government surplus to NY dealers, then sold to Wells, Fargo & Co. as a guard revolver. Serial No. 122X has had a colorful career ! The surplus revolvers were sold to two NY firms, Hartley& Graham and Bannerman. Each had a slight variation in marking for Well, Fargo. Bannerman used block lettering, while H&G used Italic lettering. This revolver was sold by Hartley & Graham to W.F. & Co. Ex. It has the revised barrel length of five inches, and was nickel plated at time of refurbishing by H&G. All else aside it is totally original, ALL parts are original, ALL markings are clear and distinct, and it is 100% mechanically perfect. The H&G nickel finish is about 40% present, with the balance a dark plum untouched patina. The finish has never been cleaned or touched, all original.

An incredible piece of Western History, US Cavalry, Wells , Fargo and El Paso, Texas. Probably the most multi faceted W.F.& Co. Schofield I have ever encountered. A rare collecting opportunity !

PRICE: $7,250

What make this so unique and highly collectable, above and beyond other similar revolvers is an identified use location, and a really good one !!

This identifying medal is very unique. It is a silver coin, formed into a round convex medallion and fitted into the left grip. I would say the left grip because it receives less wear than the exposed right side, if, and probably so, was carried by a right handed person. It functions as an escutcheon for the grip screw, a well done piece of work. Then embedded into the Walnut grip. ENGRAVED: Wells Fargo & Co. , El Paso The quintessential rough and western frontier town, and guess who had a law Office in their building in El Paso, how about John Wesley Hardin !

3rd MODEL RUSSIAN .44R REVOLVER 1874-1878

a.k.a. NEW MODEL RUSSIAN

This Russian revolver represented the final refinement in design for the Russian Military. Also incorporated new mechanical improvements. Total production exceeded 60,000, BUT only a little over 13,000 were for Domestic sale ! Barrel address ending in Russian Model. This Commercial Model is outstanding ! having @ 95%+ original nickel on all but the cylinder. the cylinder shows the wear of storage. The Walnut grips are superb, inn condition and color.

PRICE: $3,850

Has 100% original mechanical working actions, all the time !

Interesting markings: All the Factory Markings are clear and vivid, barrel address and Serial Number of 3591x. Additional markings are the SH in the Diamond on the Butt and 1874 on the left frame just in front of the web grip for the hand. Actually this Model attained Frontier popularity, such as Pat Garrett carried one during his Buffalo Hunting period. Even the Cinema caught on, and in " The Missing" Tommy Lee Jones as a rough old veteran carries one !

3rd MODEL RUSSIAN .44 RUSSIAN CONTRACT of 1874

CYRILLIC ADDRESS, A RUSSIAN, RUSSIAN.......

RARE, RARE

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 !

PRICE: $3,995

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.

MODEL No.2 ARMY, FACTORY SILVER PLATED @ 1861-1862

MAGNIFICENT RELIEF CARVED IVORY GRIPS, IN ORIGINAL CASING

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

3rd MODEL S&W RUSSIAN, in Very Scarce Caliber, .44 HENRY RIM FIRE, @1874

a.k.a. THE TURKISH CONTRACT MODEL

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.

PRICE: $3,950

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.

SMITH & WESSON, 2nd MODEL, .44

AMERICAN REVOLVER @ 1873

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.