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  #1  
Old 09-12-2017, 08:05 PM
Bellefeuille38 Bellefeuille38 is offline
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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Default HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!

Well, tonight I purchased a Schofield revolver chambered in 44 Russian! Paperwork from a local appraiser states in 2008 the following "Smith and Wesson #3 schofield with factory letter indicating shipment as a blued gun to Hartley and graham New York in 1880 and was most likely engraved during the finishing process but there is no documentation to prove said engraving" it also says "if this was a colt of the same exact era and contain it would push 5 digits at auction!". Bore and cylinder are in excellent condition, rifling is like NEW, some minor pitting on the front of the cylinder but not bad! Complete engraving on left side of barrel is worn off from living its life in a holster as well as the left side grip being severely worn and chipped! Oh...and the best part...it's serial is either 38 or could possibly 238 but I can't make out if there's a 3rd number fully due to wear! Here are some pictures, any information is appreciated on Hartley and graham and any information and or direction towards setting up a buyer/figuring out the worth is appreciated! Pictures in link

357 Guns
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Old 09-12-2017, 08:27 PM
Schof45 Schof45 is offline
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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Well, if the pictures that I looked at are of the gun you purchased, you did not buy a Schofield. The pictures are of a New Model Number Three. Did you also get a copy of the factory letter?
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  #3  
Old 09-12-2017, 08:56 PM
Bellefeuille38 Bellefeuille38 is offline
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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No not yet! The lady I bought it from is cleaning her house out right now digging for them! She got a house full of junk and some old guns willed to her! And what's the difference between a new and old model?
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Old 09-12-2017, 09:20 PM
Schof45 Schof45 is offline
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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The New Model 3 was introduced 1878 and based on it's predecessors, the American, Russian and Schofield models, but it is a different gun.
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Old 09-12-2017, 09:46 PM
rct269 rct269 is offline
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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Bottom Line: A Schofield is an ENTIRELY different revolver.

Next Bottom Line: I find NO record of a Schofield revolver ever being produced in .44 Russian caliber. It is a .45 caliber weapon.

Last Bottom Line: Like the man said, the photos show a NM #3. That which it shares with a Schofield are the maker and the frame size. The seller has misrepresented the product either through ignorance or an attempt to defraud.

Ralph Tremaine
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  #6  
Old 09-13-2017, 01:14 AM
Bellefeuille38 Bellefeuille38 is offline
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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Well I do know the local appraisal company that did this isn't the most "sought after"...I had my doubts! Well, so...so do I have anything at all of defent value or just a beat up old NM#3?
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Old 09-13-2017, 01:56 AM
opoefc opoefc is offline
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You have a beat up New Model No. 3, worth maybe one forth of a Schofield on a good day. There were no Schofields shipped to Hartley & Graham. You have been swindled if the gun was sold to you as a Schofield. If you really have an authentic factory letter, read it. It will tell you the gun is a New Model No. 3, not a Schofield. If it does, the letter is a fake. Ed.

Ed.
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Old 09-13-2017, 07:00 AM
scooter123 scooter123 is offline
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Guy's, we are jumping to some conclusions here, the OP indicated he had purchased a Schofield, NOT that the seller represented it as such. I also think that we are beating up on the appraiser because he made a rather simple mistake that is actually rather easy to make. Distinguishing between a Schofield and a New Model 3 using pictures in a source such as Wikipedia or the Blue Book of revolvers isn't that easy for someone who isn't familiar with the exact differences between these two revolvers. When you consider the total number of different firearms that have been produced over the years you really can't expect any appraiser to get everything correct 100% of the time. If you want an example of this just think about all of the various versions of the Enfield SMLE and how minor some of the changes were.
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Old 09-13-2017, 07:56 AM
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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When you are able to take clear photos we can give you a better idea of its value, hard to tell from the photos from the seller.

If the former owner can't find the "factory letter", here is a link to request one:

Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation - Letter Process - Insuring that the rich history of Smith & Wesson will continue for generations to come

Again, it is difficult to tell any details about the gun, but if it happens to letter as an engraved New Model 3 it may be worth more than suspected. Understand perfectly if you don't want to disclose what you paid for it .
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Old 09-13-2017, 08:24 AM
S&WsRsweet S&WsRsweet is offline
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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Man this kind of thing makes me glad I'm a member here as I can check with experts before making a purchase of significant cost ,actually information on this forum has saved me a couple of mistakes already.Thanks guys.
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Old 09-13-2017, 08:26 AM
red9 red9 is offline
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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[QUOTE=scooter123;139744043]

I also think that we are beating up on the appraiser because he made a rather simple mistake that is actually rather easy to make.

I agree that making the mistake of calling a NM#3 a Schofield is not that rare. However, someone who does not know the difference is not qualified to do an appraisal.

Bob
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Old 09-13-2017, 08:51 AM
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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I have heard that some in the gun community erroneously call all the large frame top breaks "Schofields." Sorta like all tissue paper is Kleenex. I have an uncle-in-law that calls his Model 1905, 4th a Model 10. When I tried to correct him, he commented that "it's a Model 10. Everybody knows that!"

However, none of this is helping the OP. I just hope he didn't pay "pushing 5 figures" for that NM#3.
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Old 09-13-2017, 10:22 AM
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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[quote=red9;139744085]
Quote:
Originally Posted by scooter123 View Post
I agree that making the mistake of calling a NM#3 a Schofield is not that rare. However, someone who does not know the difference is not qualified to do an appraisal.

Bob
True, true.

I think certain auction companies/appraisers are allowed a little too much leniency by the collecting/enthusiast community when it comes to their "qualifications" or "expertise". All too often I see nationally recognized names really fudging things up. It usually boils down to "are they really that novice", or "are they just trying to squeeze every last cent out of it".

Never rely on someone else for expertise.
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Old 09-13-2017, 10:35 AM
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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Depending what the OP actually paid, he may have purchased a small bit of history at a decent price, Schofield or not.
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Old 09-13-2017, 02:02 PM
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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A pet peeve of mine has always been the so called "expert" appraisers, etc. who will "verify" everything from the Lost Arc of the Covenant to George Washington's wooden teeth, as 100% genuine. Saying an appraiser "can't know everything" is a cop out. A truly qualified appraiser, who has been admitted to the Federal and State Courts as an expert witness on identification and value estimates, will quickly say they "do not know" about any items with which they are not very familiar. Many of these "experts" reside in the bowels of the large auction houses, such as the recent auction sale of a Schofield supposedly given by a member of the James-Younger gang to a friend, the house "expert" appraised & identified the gun as a "1st model commercial" based on the fact he did not see a cartouche on the well worn stocks ! Fortunately for the buyer, a forum member was able to expose this fraud before payment was made. Ed.

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Old 09-13-2017, 02:22 PM
Bellefeuille38 Bellefeuille38 is offline
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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Thanks for all the replies, guys! I'm not ragging on the appraiser by no means! Im just here to verify my investment for resale. I'm just trying to get to the bottom line of what I got and its worth for resale value! If there's anyone out there who would like more clear pictures, please contact me at my email [email protected].
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Old 09-14-2017, 09:57 AM
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HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver! HELP! Looking for information on schofield revolver!  
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First off, like others have said, it's not a Schofield. It is a NM#3 that is missing a lanyard ring. It's been plugged. Factory engraving would not wear off from use without also removing the finish.
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