VERY RARE ENGRAVED SMITH & WESSON NEW MODEL NO. 3 SPECIAL TARGET REVOLVER.

VERY RARE ENGRAVED SMITH & WESSON NEW MODEL NO. 3 SPECIAL TARGET REVOLVER. SN 27855. Cal. 44 Russian. Gold & silver finish with 6-1/2″ keyhole shape bbl with pinned target front sight and target rear sight as part of the bbl latch. It has a checkered wide spur hammer with full checkered trigger and a Russian style spur/finger rest on the trigger guard. Mounted with 2-pc, deep gold medallion smooth pearl grips. Frame, cyl, bbl lug & top strap are engraved by Gustave Young with about 70% coverage, fine foliate arabesque patterns with fine punch dot background on the frame. Cylinder has matching engraving on the lands between the flutes. Top strap is beautifully engraved in geometric patterns. Back strap has about full coverage matching patterns with an engraved ribbon around SN on butt strap. Accompanied by a Smith & Wesson factory letter over the signature of historian, Roy G. Jinks wherein he identifies this revolver as a “special edition revolver” that was shipped on Aug. 25, 1891 to Prof. John Loris, no address listed. He goes on to state “This revolver was one of a special set ordered the second revolver is also a new Model No. 3 and is a consecutive serial number to 27856. There is no question that these were probably engraved target revolvers as there are several other engraved New Model No. 3s in this same serial range. The problem with these special guns is that the factory did not always keep good records on them for individuals what were using their revolvers in a promotional way.” Also accompanying is a copy of an article that appeared in the newspaper The New York Clipper on Nov. 19 in either 1891 or 1893 wherein Prof. John Loris “the champion rifle and revolver shot” has withdrawn his posted $100 challenge to a shooting match. This is obviously a special revolver provided to or ordered by a famous shooter of the late 19th century. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching. Bbl & top strap retain about 86-88% strong orig silver with frame & grip frame mostly a dark metal patina with silver in the most sheltered areas. Cylinder retains gold in the flutes & engraving with the outer diameter mostly a dark brown patina. Trigger guard retains silvered case colors and the hammer faded case colors. Grips are extremely fine with great fire & color. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of very fine pitting. 4-41832 JR126 (6,000-9,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

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
	2348	$4,025.00	VERY RARE ENGRAVED SMITH & WESSON NEW MODEL NO. 3 SPECIAL TARGET REVOLVER. SN 27855. Cal. 44 Russian. Gold & silver finish with 6-1/2″ keyhole shape bbl with pinned target front sight and target rear sight as part of the bbl latch. It has a checkered wide spur hammer with full checkered trigger and a Russian style spur/finger rest on the trigger guard. Mounted with 2-pc, deep gold medallion smooth pearl grips. Frame, cyl, bbl lug & top strap are engraved by Gustave Young with about 70% coverage, fine foliate arabesque patterns with fine punch dot background on the frame. Cylinder has matching engraving on the lands between the flutes. Top strap is beautifully engraved in geometric patterns. Back strap has about full coverage matching patterns with an engraved ribbon around SN on butt strap. Accompanied by a Smith & Wesson factory letter over the signature of historian, Roy G. Jinks wherein he identifies this revolver as a “special edition revolver” that was shipped on Aug. 25, 1891 to Prof. John Loris, no address listed. He goes on to state “This revolver was one of a special set ordered the second revolver is also a new Model No. 3 and is a consecutive serial number to 27856. There is no question that these were probably engraved target revolvers as there are several other engraved New Model No. 3s in this same serial range. The problem with these special guns is that the factory did not always keep good records on them for individuals what were using their revolvers in a promotional way.” Also accompanying is a copy of an article that appeared in the newspaper The New York Clipper on Nov. 19 in either 1891 or 1893 wherein Prof. John Loris “the champion rifle and revolver shot” has withdrawn his posted $100 challenge to a shooting match. This is obviously a special revolver provided to or ordered by a famous shooter of the late 19th century. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching. Bbl & top strap retain about 86-88% strong orig silver with frame & grip frame mostly a dark metal patina with silver in the most sheltered areas. Cylinder retains gold in the flutes & engraving with the outer diameter mostly a dark brown patina. Trigger guard retains silvered case colors and the hammer faded case colors. Grips are extremely fine with great fire & color. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of very fine pitting. 4-41832 JR126 (6,000-9,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 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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