RARE MARTIALLY MARKED SMITH & WESSON NO.3 FIRST MODEL AMERICAN SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

RARE MARTIALLY MARKED SMITH & WESSON NO.3 FIRST MODEL AMERICAN SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 1523. Cal 44 American. Blue finish with 8″ keyhole shaped bbl, pinned steel half-moon front sight with company address and patent dates on top of the rib with a small “U.S” on the rib just forward of the cyl. Left side of the top strap and bottom strap are stamped with a tiny “A” inspector initial for Orville W. Ainsworth. There is also a small “A” in one of the flutes of the cyl and a small “P” in another flute. Right side of the ejector housing also has a small “P” just forward of the hinge. Mounted with 2-pc smooth walnut grips numbered to this revolver. In December 1870 the U.S. Govt ordered 1,000 of these revolvers which were delivered in 1871. Only 800 of the order were finished blue with the other 200 nickel finish. Finding an authentic, orig martial First Model American is extremely rare and only the most advanced collectors are fortunate enough to own one. 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. They were also popular with the troops to whom they were issued, but were superseded by the Colt Model 1873 Single Action Army revolver. CONDITION: Good to very good, all matching including grips. Bbl retains strong blue in the rib gullets and thinning blue in the sheltered area above the hinge. Balance of the bbl is a silver-brown patina with an area of pitting on the left side of the muzzle. Frame and grip frame retain thin blue around the cyl opening and recoil shields with the balance a medium silver-brown patina. Trigger guard and hammer retains silvered case colors. Cyl retains traces of blue in the flutes with the outer diameter a blue-brown patina. Left grip has a repaired heel otherwise they are sound showing heavy wear with no visible cartouche and retain a dark, hand-worn oiled finish. Hammer is not solid in safety notch and mechanics are a little soft, otherwise mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with scattered fine pitting. 4-39832 JR399 (10,000-15,000)

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
	2337	$0.00	RARE MARTIALLY MARKED SMITH & WESSON NO.3 FIRST MODEL AMERICAN SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 1523. Cal 44 American. Blue finish with 8″ keyhole shaped bbl, pinned steel half-moon front sight with company address and patent dates on top of the rib with a small “U.S” on the rib just forward of the cyl. Left side of the top strap and bottom strap are stamped with a tiny “A” inspector initial for Orville W. Ainsworth. There is also a small “A” in one of the flutes of the cyl and a small “P” in another flute. Right side of the ejector housing also has a small “P” just forward of the hinge. Mounted with 2-pc smooth walnut grips numbered to this revolver. In December 1870 the U.S. Govt ordered 1,000 of these revolvers which were delivered in 1871. Only 800 of the order were finished blue with the other 200 nickel finish. Finding an authentic, orig martial First Model American is extremely rare and only the most advanced collectors are fortunate enough to own one. 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. They were also popular with the troops to whom they were issued, but were superseded by the Colt Model 1873 Single Action Army revolver. CONDITION: Good to very good, all matching including grips. Bbl retains strong blue in the rib gullets and thinning blue in the sheltered area above the hinge. Balance of the bbl is a silver-brown patina with an area of pitting on the left side of the muzzle. Frame and grip frame retain thin blue around the cyl opening and recoil shields with the balance a medium silver-brown patina. Trigger guard and hammer retains silvered case colors. Cyl retains traces of blue in the flutes with the outer diameter a blue-brown patina. Left grip has a repaired heel otherwise they are sound showing heavy wear with no visible cartouche and retain a dark, hand-worn oiled finish. Hammer is not solid in safety notch and mechanics are a little soft, otherwise mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with scattered fine pitting. 4-39832 JR399 (10,000-15,000) 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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