Is this possibly a Frank James Schofeld

Jaco1234 · Sep 12, 2022

This gun has been attributed to Frank James and accompanied by a State of Minnesota affidavit sworn by Carroll A. Ray, eldest grandson of P.G. Carroll, in 1953. According to Philip Gregory Carroll, he witnessed the robbery of the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota. At approximately 2pm on September 7th, 1876 he was standing on the hotel veranda when the robbers poured out of the bank and gunfire erupted in the street. After approximately one minute of shooting, several of the robbers fled on their horses and rode out of town, with Mr. Carroll witnessing a tall mount drop a revolver while mounting his horse. Mr. Carroll then retrieved the Smith & Wesson Schofield revolver. All but two of the gang were able to escape. Paperwork appears to be parchment paper. Aside from the "FB" on grips and affidavit we have no other way to determine validity of letter. It was the type of gun favored by Frank James.
serial # 5476

Dvus · Sep 12, 2022

Sounds like a good story, but most likely that is all the value it has, is as a story. Doesn't sound like the rider was positively identified as Frank James.

iby · Sep 12, 2022

it is a Good story

murphydog · Sep 12, 2022

Photos or it didn’t happen. (Of the gun, not the bank surveillance video of the robbery).

BMur · Sep 12, 2022

Model 2 Schofield

If you were to obtain a factory letter for this Model 2 Schofield you will likely find that it shipped in October of 1876. Perhaps later.
The Northfield Raid took place in September of 1876. At that time this gun was likely still in the Smith & Wesson factory not even in the possession of the U.S. Army.

Maybe the James Boys raided the Smith & Wesson factory before they went to Northfield?

Murph

Drm50 · Sep 12, 2022

Reminds me of time I screwed up a sale. Had a guy who bought up all the WW2 Axis weapons. I was in possession of Adolf Hiltlers personal PP. It even had “ If found return to Adolf” on magazine. If it had been written in German I believe sale would have been made.

rct269 · Sep 12, 2022

Tales like this cause me to ask "Who says?"

After that, I'm reminded of the fishing tackle tale-----goes something like this: Is fishing tackle made to catch fish-----or is it made to sell to fishermen?

Let the buyer beware!!

Ralph Tremaine

And then there's the Registered Magnum I bought once upon a time----with "Original finish"---so said the auction house. It had five of the dreaded stars stamped on it---well hidden, mind you; but five stars---one for every place it had a place---frame, cylinder, yoke, barrel, and sideplate. That was back in the bad old days before RIA hired David Carroll to write the descriptions----he who speaks with straight tongue.

Ruger 13 · Sep 12, 2022

I really doubt it!

TexasViking · Sep 12, 2022

I think the Northfield, MN job would be considered their most unsuccessful bank robbery in terms of the loot vs the price paid for it.
Jesse was certainly known to favor S&W Model 3s and was assassinated by Robert Ford whom shot Jesse James with one. Most of the Peacemaker hype over the years has come from Hollyworm while we know that a number of gunmen preferred S&Ws beginning with the Schofield.

iby · Sep 12, 2022

TexasViking said:
I think the Northfield, MN job would be considered their most unsuccessful bank robbery in terms of the loot vs the price paid for it.
Jesse was certainly known to favor S&W Model 3s and was assassinated by Robert Ford whom shot Jesse James with one. Most of the Peacemaker hype over the years has come from Hollyworm while we know that a number of gunmen preferred S&Ws beginning with the Schofield.

Do you mean beginning with the American?
I do

iby · Sep 12, 2022

rct269 said:
Tales like this cause me to ask "Who says?"

After that, I'm reminded of the fishing tackle tale-----goes something like this: Is fishing tackle made to catch fish-----or is it made to sell to fishermen?

Let the buyer beware!!

Ralph Tremaine

And then there's the Registered Magnum I bought once upon a time----with "Original finish"---so said the auction house. It had five of the dreaded stars stamped on it---well hidden, mind you; but five stars---one for every place it had a place---frame, cylinder, yoke, barrel, and sideplate. That was back in the bad old days before RIA hired David Carroll to write the descriptions----he who speaks with straight tongue.

Does David currently write them?

TexasViking · Sep 12, 2022

iby said:
Do you mean beginning with the American?
I do

Might have started with a Schofield chambered in .45 S&W. I'd have to do a search oh the model Jesse was shot with, and there are claims that Bob Ford used Jesse's own revolver. A New Model No 3 IIRC.

iby · Sep 13, 2022

The American preceded the Schofield by 5 years.
What self respecting bandit would not avail himself of the latest technology?.
Bob Ford reportedly shot Jesse with a NM#3 .
A gift from Jesse

rct269 · Sep 13, 2022

iby said:
Does David currently write them?

Yes, to the best of my knowledge-------give him a call, and ask him.

RCT

It occurs to me he may or may not work with other than S&W's----that I don't know.

edgarspencer · Sep 13, 2022

According to ' Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson, by Supika, page 103, Bob Ford used a NM#3, Serial number 3766, to kill Jesse James.
The only Thing my NM#3 killed was my good standing with my wife. I'm workin' on that.

BMur · Sep 13, 2022

The Murder Weapon

18 years ago it sold for $350,000. I wonder what it’s worth now?

Murph

Frontier44 · Sep 24, 2022

TexasViking said:
I think the Northfield, MN job would be considered their most unsuccessful bank robbery in terms of the loot vs the price paid for it.
Jesse was certainly known to favor S&W Model 3s and was assassinated by Robert Ford whom shot Jesse James with one. Most of the Peacemaker hype over the years has come from Hollyworm while we know that a number of gunmen preferred S&Ws beginning with the Schofield.

You fail to out the other culprit in the “peacemaker” scam… John Wayne

shawn mccarver · Sep 24, 2022

Buy the gun, not the story.

shawn mccarver · Sep 24, 2022

rct269 said:
Tales like this cause me to ask "Who says?"

After that, I'm reminded of the fishing tackle tale-----goes something like this: Is fishing tackle made to catch fish-----or is it made to sell to fishermen?

Let the buyer beware!!

Ralph Tremaine

And then there's the Registered Magnum I bought once upon a time----with "Original finish"---so said the auction house. It had five of the dreaded stars stamped on it---well hidden, mind you; but five stars---one for every place it had a place---frame, cylinder, yoke, barrel, and sideplate. That was back in the bad old days before RIA hired David Carroll to write the descriptions----he who speaks with straight tongue.

David Carroll is a straight arrow. So true. And a nice guy as well.

Is this possibly a Frank James Schofeld

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