152

Rare Australian Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Revolver with 6 1/2'' Barrel

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,800.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Rare Australian Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Revolver with 6 1/2'' Barrel
serial #5241, 44 S&W Russian, 6 1/2'' barrel with a mostly bright very good plus bore showing a few small areas of pinprick pitting or light oxidation and otherwise strong rifling throughout. This is a nice example of the scarcer 6 1/2'' barreled Australian contract New Model, not cut for the shoulder stock. Only 30 revolvers were so-ordered compared to the 250 units ordered with 7'' barrels and shoulder stocks. The metal surfaces retain about 65% original nickel finish flaking to a mild gray-brown patina and showing a few scattered small areas of old light pitting. The hammer and triggerguard show smoky gray case-hardening with some vibrant wisps along the hammer while the trigger retains a hint of pale straw color along the edges and the latch retains almost all of its dark gray oil-quenched case-hardening. The two-line barrel address and patent dates remain crisp and the black checkered hard rubber grips remain in very fine condition showing a few light dings and overall toning to brown. The right panel is scratch-numbered ''25'' and the grip screw is a bit long but the grips otherwise fit quite well. The remaining numbered parts are matching, barrel-to-frame fit is solid and the action with rebounding hammer seems to function well mechanically. The butt is not marked with a broad arrow inspection stamp and according to the Standard Catalog, revolvers used by Western Australia were not marked with broad arrows. The included scan of a factory letter indicates the revolver was shipped as-described on December 14, 1881 to M.W. Robinson of New York City before being forward to Winchester Repeating Arms for final shipment to Australia. The revolver also includes a vintage unmarked brown leather flap holster that actually appears to be for a Webley Mark VI revolver in otherwise very good plus condition. This is a fine example of a very desirable and obscure variant for the advanced collector. (13B10826-498) {ANTIQUE} [Dr. W. Lloyd Hudson, Jr. Collection] (4000/5000)