Smith & Wesson introduced their FIRST Top Break revolver, and their FIRST .44 caliber revolver, all at the same time, in 1870. This revolver was known as the 1st Model American. It was an immediate success, and small design changes were in progress, to elevate it to perfection. This was accomplished in 1872 with the introduction of the 2nd Model American .44. Despite their success, production was terminated in 1874, after only 20,750 revolvers were produced. So you can see, it was and is an IMPORTANT Frontier revolver, with limited collector availability. Serial No. 2083X has about 97% of all the original factory nickel plate on the barrel, with nickel loss sustained on the frame. Therefore, and overall 50% finish , with the frame a correct light gray patina. The American's appearance is elevated with a pair of ORIGINAL Ivory grips, in ONLY the color natural age creates.

Mechanically, the revolver operates PERFECTLY, opening, ejection, closing and locking, cocking, indexing, and firing release, with crisp precision. It is a handsome revolver with the eight inch barrel, and Ivory grips. A very attractive, and mechanically correct S&W American .44 PRICE $3,950

* The American was very popular on the Frontier, and saw use by Lawmen like Dallas Stoudenmire, of El Paso and yes, Wyatt Earp. In the Gene Autry Museum in California, they have a 2nd Model American, not many serial numbers away from this one, which period testimony states is the pistol Earp carried to the "OK" Corral fight in 1882.

The introduction of S&W's first large frame Break Top Double Action was in 1881, and was called the Double Action 1st Model, or New Model Navy. However, this revolver was chambered in .44 Russian. In an effort to capitalize on the more popular .44 WCF, a.k.a. the 44-40, which was enormously popular in the west due to the Winchester rifle, the company re-tooled, and came out with the Double Action Frontier. It is basically the same revolver except for a longer frame and a cylinder of 1-9/16" length. Incredibly, they ONLY manufactured 15,340 of these revolvers.

Serial No. 843X is approximately in the middle of production, the 1880's period. It has the more scarce 5 inch barrel, and comes in it's ORIGINAL factory box. It has a PERFECT end label, identifying barrel length, finish, and caliber, and "FRONTIER" variation.

This revolver is a 99.99999% condition specimen, and the box is certainly in the 90% category also, with a perfect end label.

ALL, mechanical functions of this revolver function perfectly: break open, eject shells, close, load, cock, index, and release for firing, each and every time is perfect. ALL factory applied markings: barrel address, serial numbers etc., are clear and in perfect condition. It would be extremely difficult to improve on the condition of this S&W Frontier Double Action revolver. PRICE $5,850

All case colors still present on the hammer.

All case colors present on the trigger............

In conjunction with this perfect graphic illustrated top label, all sides are complete, and it has both end labels, in red. This is an incomplete box, containing about 35 cartridges, and is professionally sealed in protective plastic. It makes an excellent companion display item to go along with your .44 American revolver.  PRICE $195

A period Cabinet Card photo of a S&W American revolver is INCREDIBLY RARE AND SCARCE , as it seems many more photos appear with other western revolvers. Written on the back is the following:

" This is my Uncle Warren xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx Cal.xxxxxxxxx"

The X's represent faded pencil writing which is no longer distinguishable. The image itself measures 5-1/2 inches X 3-3/4 inches, mounted on  a Cabinet Card measuring 6-1/4 X 4-1/4 inches. PRICE $450

In 1870 S&W secured their first Government Contract for 1,000 .44 S&W American revolvers. These represented the first cartridge revolvers used by the U.S. Cavalry. In 1873 Colt entered the picture, and sold the U.S. Government the Single Action Army, in .45 Colt. In a reasonable amount of time, they totally displaced the American revolver. Smith & Wesson was determined to recapture the business, and in 1875, they sold the government the NEW .45 S&W caliber, 1st Model Schofield. It was very popular, and saw service with the 4th Cavalry in the Apache wars. Determined to keep the Government contract, they addressed several mechanical issues, and in 1877 INTRODUCED the improved 2nd Model Schofield, of which the Government bought 5,285 revolvers.

Serial No. 591X is one the 2nd Model U.S. revolvers. It is correctly marked throughout with U.S. Inspector markings, ALL in the correct locations, PLUS the U.S. on the butt. Unfortunately the grip cartouche is worn too thin to be visible, all that remains is the faintest traces of the frame around the initials of the cartouche. This is a VERY SCARCE variation, as it is ORIGINAL Factory nickel plated. VERY few were finished in that fashion, the accepted number is 200 or less, as contract standard was to be blued. This Schofield has about 55% of the original nickel plate finish, mostly on the back strap, and frame. The balance of the revolver is a correct soft gray patina. The walnut grips are smooth, with a rich luster.  ALL patent markings are sharp and clear! The mechanical action of breaking open, and ejecting spent cartridges works perfectly. The cocking and firing action is 100% correct, crisp, and exact, each time the hammer is cocked.

One must remember, that by the 1890's, once again, S&W had been deleted from Government Contracts in favor of the Colt Single Action .45, as the "one" issued hand gun to the Cavalry. There have been many stories about ammunition "mix ups" and other reasons, but basically Colt was the "power" vendor! Therefore, MOST ALL Schofield's were sold for surplus, to several Civilian dealers. MOST had barrels cut, and were re-finished and sold on the open market. SO !! to find a SCARCE ORIGINAL NICKEL plated Specimen, U.S. is quite extraordinary. PRICE $6,150

The frame has very strong Nickel Plate coverage.

.44 HENRY RIM FIRE...One of ONLY 2,157, with 1st Model Style, NO notch Hammer !!

A member of the true "OLD WEST" club, is the S&W 2nd Model American in .44 Henry Rim Fire. This Model was manufactured between 1872 and 1874, in a total quantity of 20,735 pieces. HOWEVER, ONLY 3,014 were produced in .44 Rim Fire, and OF THAT NUMBER, only 2,157 had the first style , "no notch" Hammer. The .44 Henry rim fire cartridge became famous during the Civil War, and then with the '66 Winchester, a.k.a. the "Yellow Boy", then on to the .44 Open Top by Colt. This eight inch barrel, 2nd Model American, Serial No. 1272X, saw continued use for many years. This revolver came out of the "brush" and spent most of it's life in the Trans-Pecos West Texas area. The .44 Rim Fire held on much longer ! in that area, and shared popularity across the Rio Grande in Mexico. It's hard to say exactly where this Rim Fire was, but it's probably bi-lingual !! Today, the finish is a dark gray patina, with smooth metal, and some plum coloring, a true and correct  untouched finish.

ALL parts are original to the revolver, and matching assembly number parts, and serial numbers. The "Break-Open" shell extraction system operates PERFECTLY. The cocking, locking, indexing, and firing modes ALL function perfectly. Simply stated, the American works 100% correctly. The factory applied barrel address with patent dates is clear and sharp. For the most part, all the screw head slows are clean and crisp. A VERY SCARCE Model in .44 Rim Fire, and very much the part of the "Old West" !  PRICE $4,250SOLD

Original Walnut Grips, Serial Numbered to the revolver. They show use on the Old Texas Frontier, and the color produced by the sweat of a mans hand.

This is an INCREDIBLY small window of variation within the First Model American Series. The difference between the 1st Model , and the Transition Model are two changes:

1. Cylinder length is now 1.423", rather than 1.450"                                 2. New Interlocking Hammer Notch with barrel catch

This revolver has about 25-30% of it's original factory blue finish, the balance is a perfect "plum" patina, from the darkening and aging of the blue. Almost all the case hardening colors remain on the hammer. The grips are a smooth Walnut, with a fine antique luster. All factory markings: barrel address, and Serial Number are clear and distinct. ALL mechanical functions associated with un-loading, and loading via the top-break system function perfectly. The cocking, cylinder rotation, indexing, and  firing mechanics ALL function perfectly. Serial No. 723X is a fine and classic example of a VERY scarce 1st Model American. This revolver has ONE MORE interesting feature: the Front Sight. The sight is somewhat original to the revolver: not the factory sight, BUT an 1871 American Quarter is now the front sight. The date is visible on the top of the coin. The date of 1871 coincides with the date of the revolver!

Simply a marvelous First Model " Transition" American .44, a fine addition to any collection. PRICE $ 4,850

UNUSUAL  S&W FACTORY LETTER..

Baby Russian, Serial No. 1992X, has about 99% of all it's original factory nickel plate finish, with some dark "pepper" spotting on the left hand side of the revolver.

The Baby Russian saw a very short manufacturing span, one year only, 1876 - 1877, in a limited quantity of only 25,548 revolvers. This S&W has the more elusive of the two standard barrel lengths, being four inches, rather than three and a quarter inches. The top-break action functions perfectly, opening, and closing, while ejecting spent cartridges. The working action of cocking, and firing work perfectly! The early style checkered hard rubber grips, with block letter logo, are in perfect condition. This S&W " Baby Russian " has an unusual factory letter. It was a ONE piece shipment, directly to an INDIVIDUAL, and in the words of Roy Jinks, who composed the letter, it states, " This revolver was an individual purchase, which is unusual for the company to sell to an individual". Perhaps a diligent research of the individual would yield some historical significance.  PRICE $1,500

In doing a very superficial search of the City where the S&W was shipped, there are two strong possibilities. The owner of the Baby Russian was either in the Boot and Shoe business, or the Coal business.

EARLY "BLOCK LETTER" LOGO

SMITH & WESSON, DOUBLE ACTION FRONTIER REVOLVER, 44/40 CALIBER /FACTORY PEARL GRIPS.

Smith & Wesson introduced their .44 caliber Double Action revolvers in 1881, however, chambered in the .44 Russian caliber. Perhaps realizing that the main stream of 44, was the 44/40 employed by Colt and Winchester, making the famous pistol, rifle combination. So, S&W produced 15,340 Double Actions in 44/40, in their own Serial Range. Serial No. 1390X is one of this model. It has the scarcer  five inch barrel, and is finished in nickel plating, of which 98% still remains. The trigger and hammer exhibit strong case color, and the trigger guard has most of it's high polish blue remaining. The grips are a stunning pair of Mother of Pearl, probably factory.

The action, on both single, and double action functions perfectly. The revolver breaks open, and ejects all shells correctly, and the ejector rod correctly snaps closed after the procedure. Company barrel address and patents are crisp and strongly visible. This revolver found favor on the "Old Frontier", being employed by John Wesley Hardin, and Belle Shirley (Starr). A very strong example of a relatively scarce Double Action 44/40 " Frontier" Revolver. PRICE $2,250