Help with a Schoefield

[Bobwire]

I just got a nickel 6" barrel serial # 937X, one grip is chipped at bottom.
I will try to add some pictures. The gun seems in pretty good condition,
I would like to know what this would sell for and also if you think the nickel finish is original. Any help would be great.
Thanks
Barry

 

[29aholic]

Well first off I'll be the bearer of bad news. 1 it is not a Schofield but IINM a First Model Double Action American. 2 it looks like an overbuffed aftermarket nickel job. I am not an antique guy, but in my mind that is probably about a $300.00 gun at best.

 

[Roundsworth]

Barry, it is not a Schofield, but a DA. The nickel is not original. The hammer and trigger were originally case colored, even if the nickel was factory applied. Also, the gun has been buffed quite vigorously.

Oops, simultaneous postings. Sorry!

 

[Bobwire]

You guys are great!! Thank you very much.

 

[Shooting Padre]

I still think it's a cool gun. Enjoy it much. Of course, I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to older guns. But then, you didn't ask me to begin with. Thanks for the photos.

 

[glowe]

I am not an antique guy, but in my mind that is probably about a $300.00 gun at best.

Wow Curtis - I have not seen a 44 DA sell for $300 for the 5 years to 10 years. A non-working 44 is now going for more than that. I would venture a guess at $500 to $650 in its current condition.

Barry - if you have a 44 Russian it was shipped from the factory in the mid-1880s. If you have a Frontier (44-40), it would have shipped in the mid-1890s. One way to identify the caliber is to measure the length of the cylinder. With your early serial number, if your cylinder measures 1 7/16", you have a 44 Russian. If it measures 1 9/16", you have a 44-40.

 

[29aholic]

Wow Curtis - I have not seen a 44 DA sell for $300 for the 5 years to 10 years. A non-working 44 is now going for more than that. I would venture a guess at $500 to $650 in its current condition.

Barry - if you have a 44 Russian it was shipped from the factory in the mid-1880s. If you have a Frontier (44-40), it would have shipped in the mid-1890s. One way to identify the caliber is to measure the length of the cylinder. With your early serial number, if your cylinder measures 1 7/16", you have a 44 Russian. If it measures 1 9/16", you have a 44-40.

Thanks, like I said I am not an antique guy but based my opinion more off the overbuffed nickel job.

 

[feralmerril]

I still would pay over $300s for it. I remember a great uncle I had that ran a butcher shop when I was a boy. A customer or croanie of his wanted to a cash a check. It probley was to impress me, but I remember he pulled one out like that from under the counter, laid it on the counter and counted out the money. This was back in the 1940`s.
Now that I am thinking about it, his was the single action scholfield with a longer barrel.

 

[Dpris]

Barry,
May help if you understand that not all early big-bore break-top Smiths were Schofields.
The Schofield was a particular military variation of the single-action No. 3 (frame) series.
Denis

 

[glowe]

Thanks, like I said I am not an antique guy but based my opinion more off the overbuffed nickel job.

It is amazing how much the value of antique S&Ws have risen. I used to be able to afford Model 3s, but now have had to move to the early 1900s HEs and top-breaks. The value on these are also going up quickly. When it comes to those who want old west shooters, they will pay too much, in my opinion, for buffed and chromed DAs, since the Model 3 SAs are way up there in price. I am glad I already have some in the collection.