American First Model

[danalex]

Hello,

On a S&W N°3 First Model Single Action

What do you think of the location this is markings? of origin?

 

[glowe]

About the only thing I can say is that this is the first Model 3, 1st I have seen with all those serial numbers???? All that I have owned and seen used assembly numbers for all parts, except the stocks and butt-frame with serial number both below and above your gun.

The gun has been refinished and it is obvious that the butt has been shaved of the serial number and replaced with a different font, because they took care not grinding off the US stamp. There appears to be an assembly number on the rear of the cylinder, but with the refinish it cannot be read. Look at the standard areas on the bottom of the latch, between the ears, and under the stocks for assembly numbers??

. . . and you did not show us the tree branch stocks!!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

What Gary said. Too many serial numbers in places where they were never pit on.

 

[danalex]

No Gary, no other military proof mark!
the stocks seem to be in horn or bone?
It is not nickel plated but polished white

 

[danalex]

 

[BMur]

U S on the butt?

I've never done the research on these but I thought they were stamped U.S. on top of the barrel only?

I thought only the Schofield revolvers were stamped U.S. on the butt?

Also, that U.S. stamp is obviously not original. In my opinion it's been re-stamped. Not unlike the numbers on the back of the cylinder, etc. Much later die stamps. You can clearly see deep scratch marks next to the letters and yet the letters are perfect? Also the S' is goofy. The U.S. has be re-stamped "over" the scratches.

Also, if it was a military piece? There would be inspector letters all over the gun...I see none.

Murph

 

[iby]

US American

In my limited research the highest serial # I find is 2199.
Why would someone go to all that trouble??
I think Murph is correct about the placement of the US marking

 

[danalex]

yes he is not on the list of 1000 of the military contract and the # is too high, but why these marks?
Bone or horn grips in your opinion

 

[BMur]

Modern?

Well Daniel,
I saw a huge table of blank grip scales at the Tulsa show once. They had everything. Walrus, goat, deer, boar, bison, bull, moose, hippo, etc. So, who knows what they are?

I can tell you what they aren't. They aren't antique grips!


Murph

 

[danalex]

Grips

I don't know if they are vintage but they are not machine made...

 

[glowe]

Those stocks have been on that revolver for some time. It takes time to imprint the outline of the butt-frame on them, but that only means they are not new, but they do not fit very well, so probably not a professional job.

The revolver was made to be more than it originally was. Serial numbers stamped on everything is one thing, but the US was meant to deceive potential buyers as far as I am concerned. The refinish was more recent by someone not knowing much about S&W Model 3 revolvers, but almost certainly trying to cheat the customer.

 

[danalex]

Almost all ancient weapons
we were polished in
France .
The military wanted everything to shine

 

[iby]

stocks

The escutcheons looks aged as well as the bone like material
They may be "antique" depending on your definition of such
1st Models are uncommon and desirable in most states of condition

 

[new2S&W]

Anyone who owns an authentic model 3 U.S. stamped American would not "*****" it up to increase value.

 

[sspierce8]

My US model 3 is untouched from the factory, and that is definitely not one of the original US contract #3’s.