Smith & Wesson

THIS 2nd MODEL S&W SCHOFIELD, No. 325x IS PART OF THE INTERESTING HISTORY OF SAN FRANCISCO CA IN THE FRONTIER DAYS OF 1877. IT WAS PART OF THE SAND LOT RIOT OF 1877. THE US ECONOMY HAD TAKEN A SOME WHAT DOWN  TURN, AND JOBS CECAME SCARCE. PREVIOUS TO THIS, MANY THOUSANDS OF CHINESE HAD SETTLED IN SAN,FRANCISO. BROUGHT BY THE RAILROAD, AND A BOOMING ECONOMY. IN 1877 JOBS WERE LOST TO A DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY. THE TWO FACTIONS FIGHTING IT OUT FOR PAY AND JOBS AT WORKING LEVELS WERE THE IRISH IMMIGRANTS AND THE CHINESE.  IN JULY OF 1877,  CIVIL UNREST ERUPTED, PROTESTS, SIGN CARRYIG DEMONSRTATIONS  BOTH SIDES SHOUTING THEIR CAUSE ,SOON IT UPGRADED TO STONE AND BRICK THROWING, THEN PUBLIC PROPERTY DESTRUCTION, A HUGE STREET FIGHT, AND THE REAL WORRY FIRE ! SF, WAS A WOODEN TOWN FOR THE MOST PART. THE POLICE DEPT. WAS WAY! OUTNUMBERED AND HAD VERY LITTLE FIRERAMS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AND USE TO SETTLE THE RIOT. THE CROWDS MOVED INTO DOWNTOWN TO A OLD VACANT SAND LOT. THE CHIEF OF POLICE CONTACTED BY TELEGRAM, THEN N IN PERSON THE U.S. ARMY SRSENAL LOCATED VERY CLOSE IN BENECIA. THE DECISION WAS MADE TO ISSUE ARMS TO THE PD. THEY RECEIVED BRAND NEW 2ND MODEL SCHOFIELDS. APPROXIMATELY 300 0R M0ORE WERE GIVEN TO THE PD. ADDITIONALLY, THE CITIZENS SAFETY COMMITTEE OF SF. DEMANDED ARMS, THEY WERE NOT AN OFFICIAL GROUP MORE LIKE A HOME SPUN VIGILANTE GROUP. iT IS NOTED THEY  RECEIVED SOME OLD S&W AMERICAN .44 MODELS FROM OLD STORGAE. PLUS AMMUNITION FOR ALL THE S&W’s. THE CHOFIELDS WERE “RACK” NUMBERED ON THE BACK STRAP, JUST BELOW THE HAMMER SLOT. THEY WERE ALL 3 DIGIT NUMBERS , MOST IN THE 200’S, 300′ , THIS SFPD OFFERED IS THE HIGHEST KNOWN NUMBER OF 426. THE REAL STORY, THE SF PDF NEVER, NEVER RETURNED THE SCHOFIELDS. THEY WERE CARRIED BY THE SF POLICE INTO THE EARLY 1900’S. WHEN IT WAS NOTED THE SCHOFIELDS WERE TOO BIG/LONG BARREL FOR WALKING YOUR BEAT ! AT THIS POINT IT IS NOTED SOME SCHOFIELD’S SHOWED UP FOR SALE IN ARMS STORES IN THE BAY AREA MANY OF THEM EXIST AS 5″ BARRELS, JUST LIKE THE W.F.&CO.SCHOFIELDS. OBVIOUSLY DONE FOR THE . POLICE, MAKING THEM MORE PORTABLE. SERIAL NO. 3250, IS ONE OF THESE. STILL HAS THE US. ON BUTT AND ALL THE FACTORY ADDRESS AND PATENT MARKINGS. PLUS THE 426 RACK MARK, SF PD RIOT ISSUE. ALL PARTS ARE ORIGINAL INCLUDING THE GRIPS, SERIAL NUMBERED TO THE REVOLVER IT IS 100% MECHANICALLY CORRECT IN ALL !! PHASES OF WORKING ACTIONS! A UNIQUE PICE OF SAN,FRANCISCO HISTORY AND THE OLD WEST  ALONG WITH THIS COMES THE MAN AT ARMS ARTICLE BY CAPT. CHARLES PATE, A NOTED ANTIQE ARMS/S&WEXPERT. DETAILING MANY DETAILS AND IMPORTANT POINTS OF THE S.F.PD. SAND LOT SCHOFIELDS.

This is a very historical revolver, involved in making history, domestically and in foreign theatres.  Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian .44 revolver. IT IS VERY INTERESTING, THAT AN ARMY COLONEL CHOSE A S&W REVOLVER TO CARRY. WHY NOT, ? IT HAD MANY ADVANTAGES OVER THE COLT REVOLVER. A MORE RAPID RE-LOAD, AND MANY CLAIMED A BETTER BALANCED SHOOTER AND MORE ACCURATE. THIS 3RD RUSSIAN COMES WITH A FCATORY LETTER. DETAILING AS YOU SEE IT, NICKEL FINISH, WALNUT GRIPS, .44 Cal.6-1/2 INCH BARREL. SHIPPED ON AUGUST 5, 1877, To M.W. Robinson, NY, City. They were the main distributor for S&W. the Beautiful Script  Engraving of: Col. D.B. Case, 4th Pa. was undoubtedly done by M.W.R. at the request of Col Case. By late 1877 the revolver was in the possession of Major David Brainard Case 4th Pa. Regiment. Currently it has about 40% of the original nickel finish. The balance a plum patina, All natural, never having been cleaned. It is of My Opinion, it was carried in a Holster most of the time. As the lost nickel, mainly Cylinder and barrel indicate holster use.  The cylinder and barrel are always making contact and motion with the Holster. The Walnut grips are smooth with a hand patina, no damage. IMPORTANT: This No3 Russian still has 100%

PERFECT Working Actions, ejecting spent cartridges, breaking open and closing flawlessly. the firing action of cocking etc.. function perfectly NO mechanical issues.

WHERE does the Historical Significance Begin ??

In 1892 Case was a Major in the 4th Pa. / infantry unit. Then a classic confrontation took place in HOMESTEAD Pennsylvania. The town is located very near Pittsburgh, it was the Largest CARNEGIE Steel Works. Carnegie was a hard core Industrialist of the period.

The workers were attempting to join/Form  a Union. In response, Carnegie ordered their Wages Cut . THIS QUICKLY ESCALTED INTO SERIOUS VIOLENCE. So violent the Governor of Pa. called in the Military to stop the / STRIKE

/RIOTING  There were shootings, beatings, death etc… A tactic in our Current American Workplace  which could never happen. It finally ceased, and Major Case served quietly, then his chance came, The Spanish American War 1898. He enlisted as a Volunteer, and so was the 4th Pennsylvania Volunteers. In 1898 he was in Cuba, participating in most major engagements. From there he was assigned to the Philippines, and was bumped up to Colonel. He did an excellent job at his duties, and finished the war in Puerto, Rico  Head of all Commissaries. ALL this time he was carrying his no.3 Russian Revolver. By 1900 he became a lawyer and mover and shaker in PA.

WITH THIS SALE COMES A FULL PORTFOLIO OF DETAILED HISTORY OF COL CASE AND MANY !!! PHOTOGARPH COPIES OF THE ACTIONS AND THE AREAS HE SERVED. Also S&W Factory Letter.

This was an incredibly significant revolver for the firm of S&W. It was the FIRST .44 caliber revolver they introduced, and first top-break system for loading and unloading. This offered QUICK loading and quicker unloading times, a real advantage. Many of the well known Frontiersmen immediately began carrying one. Buffalo Bill in his pre Show days, Texas Jack Omohundro, Dallas Stoudenmire , and many others. They appreciated the smooth action, grip shape and balance, and all its superior features. Remember this was THREE full years before any Colt Single Action. This 1st American, Serial No. 512X, from 1872, remains in superb ! condition. It has about 85% original blue present, the balance a smooth blending patina. the case hardened/ color on the hammer and trigger guard has slightly faded. ALL factory applied markings are present and distinct: barrel address , serial numbers. Mechanically, the working actions are PERFECT, NO mechanical problems. The Deluxe checkered Ivory grips are stunning, and bear all the characteristics of a 151 year old grip: color striations and NO damage.

A superb 1st American, fit for the finest collection, a very representative Western revolver

IMPORTANT MEXICAN HISTORICAL FIGURE…IGNACIO MEJIA 1872..

This is an absolutely exquisite and beautiful work of the engravers art. It is full exhibition level engraved, in the intricate and wonderful style of Louis Daniel Nimschke. In the last half of the 19th century he engraved about 500 firearms for S&W, Colt, Winchester plus other works of art.

Here we have the marriage of history, important historical figures, and a world class high condition S&W American revolver, engraved by the master Louis D. Nimschke.