Does the engraving on this look period correct to you?


According to the factory letter it was something done for latin american / south american export.

it surely looks old

It certainly was done a long time ago.

As you already know, not factory work.

However, I wouldn’t even call this one “New York” engraved, meaning engraved usually by the distributor after shipment by the factory or by a skilled independent engraver, that may have been employed by Smith & Wesson at one time or another.

If you look at what’s left of the circular pattern over the sideplate, you will note that the circular part is compressed to fit the space, instead of being a flowing arc. A quality engraver would never have compressed a pattern to fit the space, but rather have designed it to fit within the space with a pre designed pattern that flies well.

But, nonetheless, your revolver has a nice “been there done that” look about it and is appealing from the use it has seen with hints of engraving and gold wash.

Also, the markings are amateur in fashion and not the skill set of a trained engraver with experience. Just so you are aware of this.

For what it's worth, Rock Island Auction sold one in very very similar configuration for $5,500 a couple years ago.

Also a Smith & Wesson 44 Russian Double Action First Model, engraved, gold plated cylinder / hammer / trigger, pearl grips, only 77 serial numbers away (7022 instead of 7099), shipped also to "M W Robinson Co., 79 Chambers St. New York City" in a 100 gun batch on the same date of October 18, 1882.

Engraved & Nickel & Gold Plated Smith & Wesson .44 D.A. Revolver | Rock Island Auction

So very likely two guns in the 100-gun same shipment (Oct 18th, 1882 to MW Robinson, specifically guns 7000-7099), engraved / gold plated by either MW Robinson or their distributor in latin america








My guess is OP's is a lower "grade" of engraving if that makes sense, you can see very similar engraving motifs (such as the star burst around the hinge pin; floral swirl around the hammer axis pin), but with just less details and embellishments.
For instance, the Rock Island Auction one had the pearl grips carved into a steer's head, while OP's just looks like ordinary 100+ year old pearl grips



Quite an incredible find that two guns made 142 years ago with the same post-factory gold plate embellishment and engraving can be documented to the same distributor, same ship date, and likely same cargo box from!

Nice work Sherlock