SCARCE AD TOPPERWEIN SMITH & WESSON NEW MODEL NO. 3 TARGET SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

Revised: 2/20/2007

SCARCE AD TOPPERWEIN SMITH & WESSON NEW MODEL NO. 3 TARGET SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. Cal. 44 Russian. SN 34164. Blue finish with 6-1/2” keyhole bbl, target front & rear sights with diamond checkered walnut grips. Sideplate on left side is engraved with a large “T” and right side of frame is inscribed, through the blue, “FROM / AD. TOEPPERWEIN / TO / HAROLD CLINE / 1945”. (NOTE: “Toepperwein” is the correct and original spelling, however, Winchester dropped the “E” so there name is spelled in two different ways). (Noted friends of Toepperwein since 1912, a display of Toepperwein arms were loaned to the Buckhorn Museum by the Cline family.) The engraving is of the style of Wolf & Klaar in Fort Worth, TX. The bottom half of the grip is wound with many layers of old, braided, cotton string, lacquered, and then covered with a brown substance. Accompanied by a hand written letter from Mr. Topperwein to Harold Cline dated Feb. 27, 45 transferring a 44 S&W Russian that he states was the “pistol” his wife, Plinky, learned to shoot with and used in their exhibitions all over the United States & Canada for many years to shoot small objects from his fingers and mouth. He states “. . . now that Plinky has passed on & as I will probably not do as much shooting as formerly. I want to feel that at least some of our guns will be left in good hands, they seem like old friends you know & I want them to be taken care of.” This letter is on Winchester letterhead stationery with Mr. Topperwein’s name & address in upper left corner. It is signed “Sincerely, Ad”. There are six holes down left edge of paper that Mr. Topperwine allegedly shot. Also accompanied by a TRUFIT quick-draw leather holster with single loop & buckstitch lacing with a leather thong. Some information and photos regarding the Buckhorn Museum and the Cline loan are included with this lot. CONDITION: Very fine. Retains about 95% of a fine factory restored finish. There is a star following serial number on buttstrap. It retains most of its factory case colors on hammer, bright on sides, faded on edge. Trigger is faded gray case colors. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Letter is yellowed and brittle with a couple of small cracks and some foxing with water stains on left edge. Holster shows wear & soil with some mildew with some leather cut from triggerguard area and now does not fit well. Grips have painted cord wrapped around base, likely added by Ad or “Plinky” to suit them. 4-30062 (4,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1247	$5,750.00	Revised: 2/20/2007 SCARCE AD TOPPERWEIN SMITH & WESSON NEW MODEL NO. 3 TARGET SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. Cal. 44 Russian. SN 34164. Blue finish with 6-1/2” keyhole bbl, target front & rear sights with diamond checkered walnut grips. Sideplate on left side is engraved with a large “T” and right side of frame is inscribed, through the blue, “FROM / AD. TOEPPERWEIN / TO / HAROLD CLINE / 1945”. (NOTE: “Toepperwein” is the correct and original spelling, however, Winchester dropped the “E” so there name is spelled in two different ways). (Noted friends of Toepperwein since 1912, a display of Toepperwein arms were loaned to the Buckhorn Museum by the Cline family.) The engraving is of the style of Wolf & Klaar in Fort Worth, TX. The bottom half of the grip is wound with many layers of old, braided, cotton string, lacquered, and then covered with a brown substance. Accompanied by a hand written letter from Mr. Topperwein to Harold Cline dated Feb. 27, 45 transferring a 44 S&W Russian that he states was the “pistol” his wife, Plinky, learned to shoot with and used in their exhibitions all over the United States & Canada for many years to shoot small objects from his fingers and mouth. He states “. . . now that Plinky has passed on & as I will probably not do as much shooting as formerly. I want to feel that at least some of our guns will be left in good hands, they seem like old friends you know & I want them to be taken care of.” This letter is on Winchester letterhead stationery with Mr. Topperwein’s name & address in upper left corner. It is signed “Sincerely, Ad”. There are six holes down left edge of paper that Mr. Topperwine allegedly shot. Also accompanied by a TRUFIT quick-draw leather holster with single loop & buckstitch lacing with a leather thong. Some information and photos regarding the Buckhorn Museum and the Cline loan are included with this lot. CONDITION: Very fine. Retains about 95% of a fine factory restored finish. There is a star following serial number on buttstrap. It retains most of its factory case colors on hammer, bright on sides, faded on edge. Trigger is faded gray case colors. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Letter is yellowed and brittle with a couple of small cracks and some foxing with water stains on left edge. Holster shows wear & soil with some mildew with some leather cut from triggerguard area and now does not fit well. Grips have painted cord wrapped around base, likely added by Ad or “Plinky” to suit them. 4-30062 (4,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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