New Model No.3 Club Gun.

[Club Gun Fan]

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.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Good for you, Don! Congratulations!

 

[weatherby]

Stellar Don
When do I get to shoot it ?

 

[lkabug]

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.

 

[StrawHat]

Congratulations on the new acquisition!

So, what is next on the list?

Kevin

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

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

 

[wordsmith]

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

 

[Club Gun Fan]

David
You helped!

 

[Oyeboteb]

Wonderful!!

Just curious - what is it chambered in?

 

[Club Gun Fan]

44 Russian

 

[Ljoconnor]

Very nice!

 

[mrcvs]

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

 

[johngross]

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

 

[StrawHat]

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

Kevin

 

[Club Gun Fan]

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

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.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

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

No, but, I'm looking!

 

[johngross]

If you have the original, I would pay to get a good copy of that article!

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.

 

[gmborkovic]

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

 

[Club Gun Fan]

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

Mike
It is another New Model #3.

 

[Oyeboteb]

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