As a longtime collector, I have been fortunate to have acquired a number of S&W's finest. The gems of the collection include relatively modern guns in the HE era through WWII, post War 'Pintos' etc. My particular joys have been the early guns, beginning in chronological order with a great Model 1, a virtually new Model 2 etc. The large and impressive Model 3s are very special in my mind and finding them in the best possible condition without selling off my wife and children has not been easy. Nonetheless, I have several that I am quite happy to own.
I have always been intrigued with the Schofield, the first true Post Civil War Cavalry gun, pre dating the better known Colt 1873 and with a fascinating technical and military history. I have never acquired one as those that are not priced in the stratosphere are usually 'ridden hard and put away wet'. Barrels chopped, grips and parts changed and mismatched, etc.
Recently, I got a call from a dealer I have known over the years who is not a Smith specialist who said he had taken in what appeared to be a 1st model Schofield in good condition, about 50% blue, most loss on the barrel, uncut, all the screws nice and crisp without signs of having been taken down, etc. The price was very reasonable and I said to send it to me
What I got was as described. Moreover, it was mechanically perfect. Lookup was virtually factory new. Timing spot on. Extractor worked perfectly without binding and snapped back into the cylinder when all the way forward.
The grips were worn but intact, faint but distinct cartouche. Serial # on the butt matching the one one the back of the cylinder. The correct "L" inspectors marks on cylinder and frame. "US" properly marked on the butt.
All in all an unmolested, well cared for and unrestored gun.
I hesitate to shoot a gun nearly a century and a half old, but this gun just cried out for careful use. I have a close friend who loads and shoots his Model 3s, some originals and many more modern reproductions. I met him yesterday and loaded up about twenty very, very mild BP 45 S&W hand loads. The gun functioned perfectly. Reasonable grouping at twenty five yards, 'minute of bad guy'. Extracted cleanly and the trigger was quite good, heavy but broke cleanly.
A real privilege to own and shoot a gun that may very well have served with the fabled Buffalo Soldiers and spent it's 'youth' on the hip of a trooper riding patrol out West.
I forgot to charge the batteries in the camera so pictures will follow. Sending in to see if I can get a factory letter. Just wanted to share my joy with others, so please excuse this rambling. Dave
I have always been intrigued with the Schofield, the first true Post Civil War Cavalry gun, pre dating the better known Colt 1873 and with a fascinating technical and military history. I have never acquired one as those that are not priced in the stratosphere are usually 'ridden hard and put away wet'. Barrels chopped, grips and parts changed and mismatched, etc.
Recently, I got a call from a dealer I have known over the years who is not a Smith specialist who said he had taken in what appeared to be a 1st model Schofield in good condition, about 50% blue, most loss on the barrel, uncut, all the screws nice and crisp without signs of having been taken down, etc. The price was very reasonable and I said to send it to me
What I got was as described. Moreover, it was mechanically perfect. Lookup was virtually factory new. Timing spot on. Extractor worked perfectly without binding and snapped back into the cylinder when all the way forward.
The grips were worn but intact, faint but distinct cartouche. Serial # on the butt matching the one one the back of the cylinder. The correct "L" inspectors marks on cylinder and frame. "US" properly marked on the butt.
All in all an unmolested, well cared for and unrestored gun.
I hesitate to shoot a gun nearly a century and a half old, but this gun just cried out for careful use. I have a close friend who loads and shoots his Model 3s, some originals and many more modern reproductions. I met him yesterday and loaded up about twenty very, very mild BP 45 S&W hand loads. The gun functioned perfectly. Reasonable grouping at twenty five yards, 'minute of bad guy'. Extracted cleanly and the trigger was quite good, heavy but broke cleanly.
A real privilege to own and shoot a gun that may very well have served with the fabled Buffalo Soldiers and spent it's 'youth' on the hip of a trooper riding patrol out West.
I forgot to charge the batteries in the camera so pictures will follow. Sending in to see if I can get a factory letter. Just wanted to share my joy with others, so please excuse this rambling. Dave
