HISTORIC FRANK JAMES SMITH & WESSON SCHOFIELD REVOLVER.

HISTORIC FRANK JAMES SMITH & WESSON SCHOFIELD REVOLVER. Cal. 45 Schofield. SN 5476. Second model Schofield with 7” keyhole bbl, half moon front sight with v-notch rear sight in bbl latch. Fitted with smooth 2-pc walnut grips & has “U.S.” on buttstrap along with serial number. Left grip has a crude carved “F.J.” Inside has assembly number “21”, which number is also found on left side of grip frame at the toe, under grip and back edge of cylinder. Serial number on inside of grips is a bit confusing as it appears there is another number stamped over original serial number. The “5” is very distinct and the “6” at end is very distinct, however one of the two middle numbers is a “0”, not the “7” in the revolver’s serial number. Both grips are stamped identically. Inside left grip it appears to be “5-76”. It is the belief of this cataloguer that grips are probably authentic and orig to this revolver. This revolver, for many years, hung prominently in the “Desperado Corner” of the famous Stagecoach Museum, Shakopee, Minnesota. The collection was purchased in the late 1970’s by three famous gun dealers of that area: Ray Saign, the late Dick Donaldson and Fred Fiet and broken up. The revolver is featured prominently on pp. 36 & 45 of The Stagecoach Museum Gun Collection book. Accompanied by a copy of this book. Also accompanying is an orig sworn affidavit dated 18 August 1953 by Carroll A. Ray of Minneapolis, MN. In this affidavit Mr. Ray states that his grandfather, Philip Gregory Carroll, witnessed the famous James-Younger Gang robbery of the First National Bank of Northfield, MN. Mr. Carroll was on a buying trip on Sept. 6, 1876 and stayed in a hotel at corner of Division St. & Bridge Square, directly across the street from the bank. On Sept. 7, 1876 he states that Mr. Carroll was standing on the hotel veranda when it was shouted “They’re robbin’ the bank.” Mr. Carroll took cover behind a buckboard and waited for the shooting to stop. He states that after about one minute of shooting several men rushed out of the bank, firing as they came, with others converging from concealed positions and all sprang to their horses. One of the men, Clel Miller, fell and another, a tall man, later identified as Frank James, dropped his gun as he mounted his horse. After they rode away Mr. Carroll rushed toward the bank and on his way picked up this Smith & Wesson revolver and kept it until 1941, when he gave it to Mr. Ray, his grandson. Also accompanying are two copies of the same photograph, both labeled “Frank James” and both were part of the Stagecoach Museum display. PLEASE NOTE: Despite the affidavit and long history at the Stagecoach Museum, we have just learned (as the catalogue is going to press) from the Smith & Wesson archives that this gun was not shipped until October 1876, one month after the robbery. CONDITION: Revolver is a dark gray metallic patina with fine pitting over most of surfaces with some scattered spots of heavier pitting on cylinder. Grips show heavy wear with a crack on left side at top & are slightly shrunken. Buttstrap has had the swivel stud removed and that area cleverly refinished and artificially aged. The “U.S.” at the heel may have been enhanced during this refinish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a couple of spots of pitting. Screws are battered. The book, affidavit & photographs are fine. 4-58166 JR685 (5,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006

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
	976a	$9,200.00	HISTORIC FRANK JAMES SMITH & WESSON SCHOFIELD REVOLVER. Cal. 45 Schofield. SN 5476. Second model Schofield with 7” keyhole bbl, half moon front sight with v-notch rear sight in bbl latch. Fitted with smooth 2-pc walnut grips & has “U.S.” on buttstrap along with serial number. Left grip has a crude carved “F.J.” Inside has assembly number “21”, which number is also found on left side of grip frame at the toe, under grip and back edge of cylinder. Serial number on inside of grips is a bit confusing as it appears there is another number stamped over original serial number. The “5” is very distinct and the “6” at end is very distinct, however one of the two middle numbers is a “0”, not the “7” in the revolver’s serial number. Both grips are stamped identically. Inside left grip it appears to be “5-76”. It is the belief of this cataloguer that grips are probably authentic and orig to this revolver. This revolver, for many years, hung prominently in the “Desperado Corner” of the famous Stagecoach Museum, Shakopee, Minnesota. The collection was purchased in the late 1970’s by three famous gun dealers of that area: Ray Saign, the late Dick Donaldson and Fred Fiet and broken up. The revolver is featured prominently on pp. 36 & 45 of The Stagecoach Museum Gun Collection book. Accompanied by a copy of this book. Also accompanying is an orig sworn affidavit dated 18 August 1953 by Carroll A. Ray of Minneapolis, MN. In this affidavit Mr. Ray states that his grandfather, Philip Gregory Carroll, witnessed the famous James-Younger Gang robbery of the First National Bank of Northfield, MN. Mr. Carroll was on a buying trip on Sept. 6, 1876 and stayed in a hotel at corner of Division St. & Bridge Square, directly across the street from the bank. On Sept. 7, 1876 he states that Mr. Carroll was standing on the hotel veranda when it was shouted “They’re robbin’ the bank.” Mr. Carroll took cover behind a buckboard and waited for the shooting to stop. He states that after about one minute of shooting several men rushed out of the bank, firing as they came, with others converging from concealed positions and all sprang to their horses. One of the men, Clel Miller, fell and another, a tall man, later identified as Frank James, dropped his gun as he mounted his horse. After they rode away Mr. Carroll rushed toward the bank and on his way picked up this Smith & Wesson revolver and kept it until 1941, when he gave it to Mr. Ray, his grandson. Also accompanying are two copies of the same photograph, both labeled “Frank James” and both were part of the Stagecoach Museum display. PLEASE NOTE: Despite the affidavit and long history at the Stagecoach Museum, we have just learned (as the catalogue is going to press) from the Smith & Wesson archives that this gun was not shipped until October 1876, one month after the robbery. CONDITION: Revolver is a dark gray metallic patina with fine pitting over most of surfaces with some scattered spots of heavier pitting on cylinder. Grips show heavy wear with a crack on left side at top & are slightly shrunken. Buttstrap has had the swivel stud removed and that area cleverly refinished and artificially aged. The “U.S.” at the heel may have been enhanced during this refinish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a couple of spots of pitting. Screws are battered. The book, affidavit & photographs are fine. 4-58166 JR685 (5,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006 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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