4425

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 3 REVOLVER INSCRIBED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 3 REVOLVER INSCRIBED

“DOROTEO ARANGO” PANCHO VILLA. Cal. 44 S&W. S#13780. Bbl. 6 1/2". There have been many pistols attributed or inscribed to infamous characters in history, especially Jesse James and Pancho Villa who were Hollywood favorites. I have seen a good many inscribed or attributed guns to both Jesse and Poncho. This Poncho Villa Smith & Wesson has provenance dating back to January 1936. There is no doubt that it was offered/sold to one of America’s most important gun collectors Bill Locke. The accompanying letter from Edelbrock saddle company of Fort Worth Texas may be a bit embellished but does describe this gun and inscription so we know this gun existed a mere 13 years after Poncho Villa’s death and his popularity in pop culture was beginning. This popular large frame 44 caliber Smith & Wesson model 3 was shipped plain to the New York City distributor which is not uncommon for a gun that would gun to Mexico. The gun has the look of so many Mexican engraved revolvers plated gold and silver. It is accompanied by single loop money belt and studded tooled holster. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: file of documentation and research. CONDITION: good overall, shows hard use as so many Mexican pistols, plum patina, traces of gold plate, ivory grips have age patina and cracking with large worn chips. Mechanics functional, pitted bore with discernible rifling. Money belt and holster are good-very good overall and present nicely with revolver. PROVENANCE: letter from JM Edelbrock, January 15, 1936; describing gun and offering for sale to Bill Locke; Bill Locke collection; Chinatown Museum, Virginia City Nevada 1970s; Paul E. Goodwin 1986; Gary Helin collection; Pictured on page 26, and only non-Colt in book “Colts from Texas and The Old West” Jerry Hemphill, 1990. (01-20584/JS). ANTIQUE. $20,000-30,000.