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SMITH & WESSON "FIRST MODEL"
SCHOFIELD REVOLVER – US MARKED & INSPECTED – LOW SERIAL
NUMBER - FULL LENGTH BARREL – VERY NICE SPECIMEN:
Manufactured in the first production run, this Smith and
Wesson Model 3 Schofield Revolver
(First Model) was among the
first lot of Schofields accepted by the US Army in
1875. The historical record of these famous revolvers
is well documented in surviving Indian War period army
records and correspondence and their long service life
on the frontier is evidenced by the continued production
of the various patterns of the Model 1881 Holsters well
into the 1890’s, which incorporated two finial holes to
allow the flap to accommodate either the Model 1873 Colt
Pistol or the Model 1875 Schofield.
Bearing the
low serial number, 603, this Schofield was certainly
included in the first issues in 1875. While there is no
specific record of this particular Schofield being
issued to a specific unit, as cited in Farrington’s
Arming & Equipping the U.S. Cavalry 1865-1902, it
does fall within the range of specific three digit
serial numbered Schofields known to have been issued to
the 9TH and 10TH Cavalry
Regiments. Col. Ranald McKenzie, commanding the 4TH
Cavalry, was so impressed with the new pistol that he
requested the first available 1,000 Schofields be
reserved for his regiment. Although a bit presumptuous,
his request was, at least in part, granted, for by the
Fourth Quarter of 1875 some of his companies were
reporting Schofields in inventory on their Ordnance
Summaries. Eventually, First and Second Model
Schofields were issued to various companies in the 1ST,
2ND, 3RD, 4Th, 8TH,
9TH, and 10TH US Cavalry
Regiments.
This
particular specimen is notable as it retains the proper
US Government markings and inspectors’ stamps, as well
as a full length barrel, never having been shortened or
modified for later civilian use as so many of these
Schofields were.
Complete with all of the Ordnance Department stamps, the
bottom of the butt strap bears the “US”, and
Sub-inspector Samuel B.
Lewis’s initial “L” is present on the face of the
cylinder adjacent to the serial number, the bottom of
the barrel boss just forward of the hinge, the on the
interior of the base plate
of the frame. The proof mark “P” is present on the
barrel boss and on the face of the cylinder. The serial
number on the cylinder, “441” does not match the serial
number on the butt strap “603”, however this is not
uncommon – normally due to the result of having been
refurbished or repaired at the Ordnance Depots,
arsenals, or by the regimental level Ordnance
sergeants. When the pistols were been worked on, the
effort was focused on returning a serviceable arm to the
soldiers with little regard to matching the serial
numbers. That both serial numbers are low, three digit
numbers indicates this probably happened early in the
service life of this Schofield when the early issued
pistols were concentrated in a few regiments. Both
sides of the barrel boss retain the Schofield patent and
Smith and Wesson company patent stamps and both are
complete and legible.
The original
grip panels are full form with no chips or cracks and
only minor wear showing at the toe of the grip, and they
are overall smooth with only minor handling marks. The
cartouche is not present, however the interior surface
of the right grip panel is serial numbered “536”, again
a low three digit serial number and the result of the
pistol having been refurbished at an early point by the
Ordnance Department and reassembled without regard for
matching the serial numbers.
The mechanics of this pistol are excellent - very crisp,
“as tight as a clock”, and the timing is excellent.
The bore is overall bright
with some very minor areas that are slightly frosted,
the rifling clear and strong, and the chambers are
likewise bright.
The finish as it presents on this Schofield is very
attractive and the blue is strong while showing the
expected signs of wear, having been carried in a holster
and use. At
some point the pistol was refinished, as were so many of
these Schofields. The bluing was well done and based on
the wear pattern – highlights where there should be from
being carried in a holster, etc., I suspect this
Schofield was refurbished and refinished within the
Ordnance Department system. The bluing is muted on the
high points such as the sides of the barrel, the high
points on the cylinder, and the grip back strap – all
consistent with the pistol being subjected to steady
wear when carried in a holster after being
refinished.
The mismatched serial numbers on
the frame, cylinder and grip panel – all early low three
digit numbers – support the impression of an early
refurbishing effort. If the refinishing had taken place
in modern years, it is unlikely that a sufficient number
of these early First Model Schofields would have been
present at that time to result in this mixture of low
numbers which are within a fairly tight 200 number
range. Further evidence that the refinishing was not
the work of a well intentioned modern “Buffing Billy”,
all of the inspector stamps and Smith & Wesson company
stamps
are distinct and legible, and all
of the edges
are sharp and maintain the correct
profile. The photos accurately reflect the condition
with no hidden blemishes or problems.
The First Model Smith
& Wesson Schofields have never been particularly common,
and when they do surface, are often found showing
evidence of being heavily used and worn – testimony to
having been issued on the frontier to units which were
active on campaign.. Seldom does a collector have the
opportunity to purchase a Schofield that presents as
well as this specimen does without having to spend
considerably more money. This specimen survived
the years in very respectable condition and speaks well
of the quality of these historic Smith and Wesson Model
3 revolvers.
SOLD
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