RARE VERY EARLY SMITH & WESSON NO.3 FIRST MODEL AMERICAN SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

RARE VERY EARLY SMITH & WESSON NO.3 FIRST MODEL AMERICAN SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 76. Cal. 44 American. Blue finish with 8″ keyhole shaped bbl, pinned German silver half-moon front sight with company address and patent dates on top of the rib. Bottom flat of ejector housing has a tiny oil hole and is mounted with 2-pc smooth walnut grips. The serial number was observed in the usual place on the buttstrap, with the right heel of the grip frame, under the grip, marked with the assembly number “J3”. This assembly number was also observed on the rear face of the cyl, on the bbl latch and in the bbl latch slot. One of only about 1,500 of these fine early revolver built in this configuration out of the approximately 8,000 produced in the period 1870-1872, this earliest model with the oil hole also does not have the notched hammer. These early big bore revolvers being the first of their type to reach the American market were extremely popular and carry a fine association with the American West. There are numerous accounts of law enforcement and outlaw usage. Buffalo Bill Cody is known to have ordered and carried one of these revolvers and Wyatt Earp is recorded to have used one in the shootout at the O.K. Corral. The popularity of these earliest cartridge revolvers was their ease of extracting the spent casings and re-loading. CONDITION: Fine plus. Bbl retains strong blue in sheltered areas, primarily the rib gullets and around the hinge area with the balance a mottled, medium blue brown patina with some scattered spots of light pitting. Frame retains about 80% thinning orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas with numerous small nicks and scratches. Front strap is thin blue mixed with brown patina. Backstrap is mostly brown patina with thin blue. Hammer and trigger guard retain strong case colors on the sides of the hammer and trigger guard with the trigger bow and rear edge of the hammer gray patina. Cyl retains strong blue in the flutes with the outer diameter flaked blue mixed with brown patina. Grips are un-numbered and are possibly old replacements, from period of USC and fit perfectly with a few minor nicks & scratches and retains a hand worn oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 4-39831 JR398 (12,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010

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
	2336	$0.00	RARE VERY EARLY SMITH & WESSON NO.3 FIRST MODEL AMERICAN SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 76. Cal. 44 American. Blue finish with 8″ keyhole shaped bbl, pinned German silver half-moon front sight with company address and patent dates on top of the rib. Bottom flat of ejector housing has a tiny oil hole and is mounted with 2-pc smooth walnut grips. The serial number was observed in the usual place on the buttstrap, with the right heel of the grip frame, under the grip, marked with the assembly number “J3”. This assembly number was also observed on the rear face of the cyl, on the bbl latch and in the bbl latch slot. One of only about 1,500 of these fine early revolver built in this configuration out of the approximately 8,000 produced in the period 1870-1872, this earliest model with the oil hole also does not have the notched hammer. These early big bore revolvers being the first of their type to reach the American market were extremely popular and carry a fine association with the American West. There are numerous accounts of law enforcement and outlaw usage. Buffalo Bill Cody is known to have ordered and carried one of these revolvers and Wyatt Earp is recorded to have used one in the shootout at the O.K. Corral. The popularity of these earliest cartridge revolvers was their ease of extracting the spent casings and re-loading. CONDITION: Fine plus. Bbl retains strong blue in sheltered areas, primarily the rib gullets and around the hinge area with the balance a mottled, medium blue brown patina with some scattered spots of light pitting. Frame retains about 80% thinning orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas with numerous small nicks and scratches. Front strap is thin blue mixed with brown patina. Backstrap is mostly brown patina with thin blue. Hammer and trigger guard retain strong case colors on the sides of the hammer and trigger guard with the trigger bow and rear edge of the hammer gray patina. Cyl retains strong blue in the flutes with the outer diameter flaked blue mixed with brown patina. Grips are un-numbered and are possibly old replacements, from period of USC and fit perfectly with a few minor nicks & scratches and retains a hand worn oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 4-39831 JR398 (12,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010 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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