Low Serial # Nickel New Model Number Three Target .32-44

[Salox]

Single digit serial number (#3) nickel New Model Number Three Target .32-44 with UMC box of fired brass. Condition aside, it is an all numbers matching revolver with an interesting history. The factory letter shows it was owned by the famous rifleman (and pharmacist) George C. Thaxter.

This revolver was offered up by a dealer that had taken it in on trade. There was a tense negotiation period, but it has finally made it home. Thank you to all the SWCA members that provided invaluable advice on how to close the deal. Photography skills are lacking, but looking forward to reading comments about the New Model Number Three Target.

 

[Salox]

Letter, stocks, and brass

 

[Salox]

Barrel has 3 stamp, but it is a difficult angle to photograph.

 

[gjamison]

Serial #3 wow, doesn't get much lower then that. Condition looks very nice to me! Great find!

 

[AlHunt]

That is a very cool old gun.

Why does the letter say black rubber grips while the grips in the picture look like wood (and have the "3" stamp)? Maybe the company records are just wrong?

 

[Salox]

That is a very cool old gun.

Why does the letter say black rubber grips while the grips in the picture look like wood (and have the "3" stamp)? Maybe the company records are just wrong?

Noticed the letter inconsistency as well. It is correct that the grips are wood (walnut). Lettered shipping date is one year after the first 10 had been manufactured. Not sure if it is possible that changes may have occurred during this time, company records are incorrect, or romanticizing that walnut was used to hand fit the early production NM3T? Have other collectors come across early production factory rubber vs walnut grips around this time period? Thanks!

 

[opoefc]

In my experience, the low serial numbered New Model # 3s all had wooden stocks ( except for some ivory stocked guns ) Remember, this was the first of the round butt larger "K" frame size guns, and the Russian contract guns were being made, all with wood stocks, and a new set of dies had to be made to stamp out round butt K frame size hard rubber stocks, so it's safe to assume it took awhile for the hard rubber stocks to become available for New Model #3s. Your gun's wood stocks, stamped with the serial number 3, are obviously original to the gun. I suspect the factory letter info. saying hard rubber grips, is an error. Ed.