This is a long story that for the moment, I have to cut short.
I heard about a New Model No. 3 Club serial number 02 when I first started to collect Club Guns. I said to myself I was going to own it some day. That day has come. It letters as made for Dr. Walter Anson Smith, Springfield, Mass and delivered in January, 1899. He was a member of the Springfield Revolver Club. I'm thrilled to finally have it here after almost 35 years.
I have to thank my loving wife, Louise for this Christmas present along with my friend David Carroll and Rock Island Auction for allowing me to spend all our car payments for 2021. I may wind up walking to Tulsa, but, I have one of my Top 5 guns in my collection.

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Don Mundell SWCA LM614

Good for you, Don! Congratulations!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA #2629

Stellar Don
When do I get to shoot it ?

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Put a "TULSA OR BUST" sign pinned on your shirt and one of us will surely give you a ride if we see you walking.

Congratulations on the new acquisition!

So, what is next on the list?

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

Congratulations! What a beauty. Also smart to get number 02. Wait 'til they get all the kinks out with 01.

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What could possibly go wrong?

Awesome, Donnie..... so glad U got this one !!
DC

David
You helped!

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Don Mundell SWCA LM614

Wonderful!!

Just curious - what is it chambered in?

44 Russian

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Don Mundell SWCA LM614

Very nice!

Great acquisition! Now, do you know where Club Gun 01 is?

And here's Dr. Smith in the July 16, 1903 issue of Shooting and Fishing.

That is one heck of a pistol team! A lot of names that I can now put faces with.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

If you have the original, I would pay to get a good copy of that article!
Maybe a trade for a pair of K Frame presentation stocks.

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Don Mundell SWCA LM614

No, but, I'm looking!

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Don Mundell SWCA LM614

I'm afraid the photograph is just "there" by itself, and has no relation to the article. The photo is on page 267, and the article you see bits of in the scan I posted begins on page 266 and is titled "American Rifleman Abroad." The article is about long range military style rifle competition at Bisley. And on the next page after the photo is a two page article about Colt's new .32 automatic pistol.

Perhaps it was an editing mistake where the wrong photo was inserted for the rifle article. I don't know.

About 30 years ago, Broadfoot Publishing Company reprinted the entire run of THE RIFLE magazine (1886-1888) which became SHOOTING AND FISHING (1888-1906). I have the reprint set and that's where my scan came from. I believe an original copy of the magazine would have a better quality image for you. Pictured below is the cover of the July 16, 1903 issue. Perhaps you can look for an original at a gun show or find it on ebay? And as you can see, the price will only be 10 cents .

As a side note for those who are not aware, SHOOTING AND FISHING became ARMS AND THE MAN, which in turn became THE AMERICAN RIFLEMAN.

Hello Don, any clue as to what 01 configuration may be? I would bet
if someone has it with that distinctive serial number, it would have surfaced. Im lookin and have been for 60 yrs. Mike

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Mike
It is another New Model #3.

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Don Mundell SWCA LM614

So...is "01" the first enumerated "Club Gun" then?

Actually, 1C thru 5C were the first. As far as I know they were all New Model #3's. David Carroll owned 1C until a short time ago.

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Don Mundell SWCA LM614

Congratulation on your acquisition. I'm sure you know the doctor's background, but I saw this obituary on the man.

DR WALTER A SMITH LONG SPRINGFIELD PHYSICIAN, DEAD
Practiced in City for 20 Years Before Removal to Shelburne Falls - Was Surgeon in Militia
Shelburne Falls, March 29 - Dr. Walter A Smith, 72, well-known physician, who practiced for 20 years in Springfield, died here this morning after several months of failing health. Dr Smith was for years on the staffs of the Springfield hospitals and was also connected with the militia serving many years with the 2d regiment and on the brigade staff.
He was born in Ashfield June 25, 1856, and was the son of Arnold F Smith. He attended the Ashfield public schools and Sanderson academy and attended the University of Vermont, graduating in the class of 1882 with the degree of M.D. He began the practice of medicine in Cummington and remained there for six and one half years and practiced also for brief periods in Chesterfield and Colrain. He then spent one year in England studying under the famous Lawson Tait of Birmingham. While in England he was elected to membership in the British Medical association. After returning to this country he located at Hinsdale, remaining there for three years. He then made a second trip abroad and was a private pupil of Dr August Martin of Berlin, Ger., for six months and Dr F Pozzi in Paris for three months. In the fall of 1894 he came home and established himself as a specialist in surgery with an office in Springfield, where he practiced with great success for 20 years.
In 1895 he was one of a group of prominent physicians who were authorized by the late Bishop Beaven to assist in planning for and organizing Mercy hospital in Springfield. Dr Smith was for a time chief surgeon at the hospital. He was one of the founders of the Springfield Academy of Medicine and was its president for a time.
Dr Smith was a well-known Mason, being a member of Mountain Lodge of Masons, of Shelburne Falls to which he transferred from the lodge at Haydenville. He was a member of Springfield counsil, Royal and Select Masters, of Springfield commandery, Knights Templar, and a 32d degree Mason, as well as a member of Melha Temple Mystic Shrine.
He served three years in Co E, 2d regiment. He was appointed surgeon with a rank of lieutenant-colonel in the first brigade, on January 24, 1905. After the militia came under federal control Dr Smith was made major in the medical department and assigned to duty with the 1st brigade. He was an expert marksman and was connected with several revolver clubs.
On March 2, 1881 he married Mary D Abbey [sic]. Dr Smith came to Shelburne Falls in 1921, maintaining a practice there since that time. For a number of years he has spent his winters in Florida and only a few weeks ago returned from a southern trip. He was greatly loved in this place and will be missed by patients and friends. Besides his widow, he leaves one son Walter A Smith of Greenfield and five grandchildren. The funeral will be held at the home at 2:30 Monday afternoon, Rev. Joseph O Perdue, pastor of the Congregational church officiating. The service will be in charge of Mountain lodge of Masons and burial will be in the family lot in Arms Cemetery.
[published Saturday, March 30, 1929, Springfield Republican, page 2]

And if you look closely at the pic, Dr. Smith is holding a revolver. He appears to be the only member with a pistol.
What are the chances, Don, that he's holding your new purchase ??
How awesome is that ??


Or am I not matching names correctly ?

The man sitting and holding the revolver is not Dr. Smith.

There are four rows of men. The front row has four men sitting on the ground. The next row behind them has three men on stools/chairs (the gent, Dr. Louis Bell is holding the revolver you mentioned). The third row has two men standing and two sitting on stools/chairs. The tallest man standing in the third row is Dr. Smith, with the light colored coat and dark "baseball style" hat. The fourth and final row has eight men standing.

Now that is a beautiful revolver!

I wonder why they stamped it "02" instead of "2"
On the DA version it seems they didn't have a leading 0, as seen in these pictures:

https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...ction-revolver


Or is it specific to club guns, as a way to differentiate the serial number from the normally numbered guns?

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Never mind, that was a stupid question of me, did some more reading and realized that's how you're supposed to identify the club guns!