Transitional Model S&W - American - .44 American; 8" barrel - Condition is very good plus. - Maybe 20% bright original blue in protected areas, blending nicely with mixed patina; faded case color still easily visible; fine markings. Fair bore might clean up a bit. Matching s/n’s, including on sound smooth wood grips showing appropriate wear. Old replaced front sight made from 1871 US silver coin. - The S&W Model 3 American has a wide number of variations, all in the early 1870’s, as discussed in Roy Double’s monograph & Charles Pate’s outstanding book "S&W American Model". The primary long-accepted physical variations are the 1st Model and the 2nd Model. This somewhat scarce "Transitional Model" includes features of both: the straight lower frame edge of the 1st Model, with the interlocking hammer & latch of the 2nd Model. A nice specimen. Hank Means collection (cons-hmar-ks9) - s/n 7233 - antq - item #BA-233M - $5,850

Smith & Wesson - 3rd Model Russian - period engraved in the style of L.D. Nimschke - .44 Russian - Excellent condition. - Retains 90-95% old nickel, strong scroll engraving overall, possible that the cylinder was refinished long ago; small brown flaked spots give evidence to the legitimate age of the engraving & finish.  Working; dirty bore w/ distinct rifling.  Period pearl grip showing nice age color, generally sound w/ some very light small chips around the edges; not original to this gun, but correct for this model. - Owner reports that engraving shows the cutting techniques of L.D. Nimschke as discussed on pgs. 73-75 of Frederick Harris' book on engraving, with the cuts ending squarely and the length of the cut becoming progressively longer as they radiate away from the scroll terminus.  He makes a convincing case that this lovely period engraved S&W is likely from the Nimschke shop, and possibly by his own hand. - s/n 39975 - antq - (cons.wcca.ac97.fbsi) - item #BR-9975 - $6,850

Engraved S&W - .44 Double Action - First Model - .44 Russian - About fine condition. - Period New York style scroll engraved; appears to be silver plated, w/ barrel & frame 75%; cylinder about gray w/ traces. Areas of moderate to heavy pitting, most notable on right rear frame, right rear barrel & grip straps areas.  Old handsome pearl grips have lots of fire & color, with some chips and flakes around the tops of both panels.  Good mech; excellent bore. - Within 25 numbers of 44 DA shipped to Gen. Leonard Wood.  Research in progress, price subject to change without notice. - s/n - 47525 - antq - item #DZ-47525 - $3,850

S&W - First Model Russian - .44 Russian; 8” barrel. - Excellent condition. - 95-97% original nickel slightly turning milky, with scattered small dark spots & a few hairline scratches; 1/2” diameter area of pitting on front left ejector housing, with two much smaller circles of pitting in the flutes of the barrel rib.  Triggerguard blue turned dull.  Good mech; fairly good bore.  Moderately worn original smooth wood grips numbered to gun, with very slight loss at left toe and repair to underside of left panel (invisible from exterior).  Filler screw in lanyard stud hole. - A wonderful example of S&W's big single action from the early 1870's, much better condition than usually found with enough wear to show it as a gun that was actually used rather than a dresser drawer queen.  Please buy this soon, I'm afraid I'll give in to temptation & keep it for myself. - s/n 15984 - antq - item #BR-15984 - $6,500

S&W - 1st Model Russian - .44 Russian; 8” barrel. - Probably period  refinished excellent plus condition.   - Retains 97-98% bright nickel finish, all parts plated, crisp edges & excellent markings, a few minor nicks & hairline scratches. - I'm not sure how to evaluate this finish.  It looks old, and it looks factory quality.  In Pate's superb new book on this model, he mentions that S&W contracted out their nickel plating on these, and that some early guns are found “factory original” with all parts plated, including the hammer, latch, trigger & guard (such as on this gun).  On later production these parts had contrasting case color or blue finish.  He also suggests that large distributors may have had new blued guns from the factory plated to fill orders.  This gun is a bit late for the factory full nickel treatment, and it looks as if there may be nickel in a couple dings on the barrel rib, which would definitely indicate  post-factory refinish, so let's treat it as such.  Good mech; light roughness in bore - Original grips numbered to gun have been lightly sanded with “E.E.P.” carved in each panel.  Under the grips is a rolled up piece of chamois inked with the name of the previous owner, who got the gun when he was 17.  I was able to contact him in New Mexico.  He's now in his 70's and got the gun from his dad when he was a kid; the dad got it in Las Vegas NM.  He confirmed the gun was never refinished while in his possession. - s/n 27660 - antq - item #BA-27660 - $5,850

Engraved Smith & Wesson - New Model No. 3 - .44 Russian - About good condition. - Worn gray metal; period scroll engraving worn but still quite distinct. Modified lowered barrel rib; firing pin replaced. Wood grips somewhat crudely hand checkered some time ago. Poor cylinder lockup, otherwise functioning. - A well used but colorful affordable engraved single action. - s/n2889 - antq - item #BT-2889 - $1,450

Rare .44 rimfire - Ludwig Loewe - Cyrillic marked 3rd Model Russian - .This gun is Lot #611 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

Ornate gold damascene decorated - S&W 2nd Model Rimfire Russian - .This gun is Lot #616 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

Wittig marked - 3rd Model Russian - attributed as Ludwig Loewe "Pilot Model" - .This gun is Lot #610 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

British Distributor marked S&W - 3rd Model Russian - .This gun is Lot #264A in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

Rare 5" barrel S&W - New Model No. 3. - single action revolver - .This gun is Lot #261 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

S&W - New Model No. 3. - Target Model - This gun is Lot #262 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

S&W - New Model No. 3. - single action revolver; target sights - This gun is Lot #260 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

S&W - New Model No. 3. - single action revolver - .This gun is Lot #613 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

S&W - New Model No. 3. - Target Model single action revolver, British proofs - .This gun is Lot #612 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

Barrel & cylinder for S&W New Model #3 Target Model. - .This is Lot #609 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

Rare short barrel S&W New Model No. Three - Single Action Revolver - .44 Russian; 4” barrel. - Refinished. - 99% dark reblue; legible markings.  Working; usual bore; ivory grips are likely modern replacements.  Numbers match on barrel, frame & cylinder; unnumbered latch.  Front sight replaced.  Features include short ejector housing, no caliber marking, single line barrel address, and logo on right frame. - Factory letter shows this gun shipped 1/12/1899 to Hartley & Graham in New York, and notes that invoice is not readable, so barrel length cannot be determined from records.  However, barrel address is properly centered on 4” barrel numbered to the gun, indicating the gun was made in this configuration. - s/n 30459 - antq - item #BT-0459 - $1,975

S&W - New Model No. 3. - single action revolver - This gun is Lot #614 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

S&W - .44 Double Action - Frontier Model - This gun is Lot #79 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.

S&W - Rare .38 Winchester Double Action - .This gun is Lot #615 in K&S April 18-19, 2008, auction, will sell to high bidder, see www.ArmsBid.com for full listing or to bid online.