I am new to this forum and am fairly new to collecting Smith and Wessons. I recently purchased a Model 3 chambered in 44 American. It has "MO PY" stamped on the back strap. I have found that this was from the Missouri Penitentiary. The Missouri State Penitentiary opened in 1836 along the banks of the Missouri River in Jefferson City, Missouri, the state capital. The prison housed inmates for 168 years and was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi until it was decommissioned in 2004. It seems some big names served time here through the years. Some member of the James Young Gang and the Reno Gang did time there in the 1870's and 1880's. I have a letter from S&W that states serial number2437 was sold on October 12, 1871. It was delivered to M.W. Robinson Co., New York City, NY. There is not any information from there. I was hoping someone has some information or knowledge of these prison guns and the history surrounding them.
S&W model 3 44 American Missouri Penitentiary “MO PY”
- Thread starter Mrvn6453
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"THE BLOODIEST 47 acres in AMERICA"!!
Here is another one in the same serial number range. 2360 and has identical die stamps.
Does your letter state how many were shipped? If so that's a good indicator as to how many were ordered by the State penitentiary through M. Robinson.
Murph
Here is another one in the same serial number range. 2360 and has identical die stamps.
Does your letter state how many were shipped? If so that's a good indicator as to how many were ordered by the State penitentiary through M. Robinson.
Murph
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Enzo Rules
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That's Very nice
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Hi There,
Congratulations on your acquisition! I saw this up for sale but I
passed on it because I didn't know what MOPV meant (didn't
realize that was a "Y" and not a "V"). Plus, I have a No. 3
American that is close to that serial number (mine is 2237 and
was "probably" shipped to M. W. Robinson on Oct. 29th, 1871).
Welcome to a very addictive new hobby!
Cheers!
Webb
Congratulations on your acquisition! I saw this up for sale but I
passed on it because I didn't know what MOPV meant (didn't
realize that was a "Y" and not a "V"). Plus, I have a No. 3
American that is close to that serial number (mine is 2237 and
was "probably" shipped to M. W. Robinson on Oct. 29th, 1871).
Welcome to a very addictive new hobby!
Cheers!
Webb
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Penitentiary research
It's just coincidental but I had found an early 12 GA Slug bullet mold last month at a gun show in Nevada that is stamped ;
FOLSOM PRISON PROPERTY.
The seller thought it was a bogus stamp but I looked at it closely and was convinced it was legit. So I bought it.
Several hours of research later I found out that Folsom prison opened in the 1880 timeframe ( it's still open!)
They actually had/have an on-site armory that included reloading their own ammo for various firearms that included a Springfield Bulldog 45/70 machine gun. 1000 rounds per min. Several riot shotguns, etc.
I was also able to prove the mold is legit by comparison of proven artifacts at THE BIG HOUSE MUSEUM. Located right outside the prison( I plan on visiting this Fall) matching period die stamps are as good as it gets. Some die stamps are very unique. Like the OP's American. Notice the stamped Y on the backstrap. Very unique.
See photos
Yeah the prison system back then was pretty brutal.
Murph
It's just coincidental but I had found an early 12 GA Slug bullet mold last month at a gun show in Nevada that is stamped ;
FOLSOM PRISON PROPERTY.
The seller thought it was a bogus stamp but I looked at it closely and was convinced it was legit. So I bought it.
Several hours of research later I found out that Folsom prison opened in the 1880 timeframe ( it's still open!)
They actually had/have an on-site armory that included reloading their own ammo for various firearms that included a Springfield Bulldog 45/70 machine gun. 1000 rounds per min. Several riot shotguns, etc.
I was also able to prove the mold is legit by comparison of proven artifacts at THE BIG HOUSE MUSEUM. Located right outside the prison( I plan on visiting this Fall) matching period die stamps are as good as it gets. Some die stamps are very unique. Like the OP's American. Notice the stamped Y on the backstrap. Very unique.
See photos
Yeah the prison system back then was pretty brutal.
Murph
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lawandorder
Member
For those of you who own an early MO. State Penn. revolver and
.....those interested in history, Google , George Maddox, Civil War Guerrilla.
His image is one of the most iconic of these civil war fighters. He rode with Quantrill and was the only man tried for the Lawrence Kansas Raid.
He was acquitted.
He later became a Prison Guard at the Missouri State Prison.
.....those interested in history, Google , George Maddox, Civil War Guerrilla.
His image is one of the most iconic of these civil war fighters. He rode with Quantrill and was the only man tried for the Lawrence Kansas Raid.
He was acquitted.
He later became a Prison Guard at the Missouri State Prison.
BigMuddy
Member
I didn't know about him becoming a Prison Guard. In the great movie "Ride With The Devil" the character George Clyde is loosely based on Maddox.
Some great looking #3 revolvers here. The OP's looks to me to be in great shape. Being a life long Missourian I really like the provenance. The Jefferson City prison is only an hour from me yet I have never taken one of the tours now offered. I need to do that!
I believe if I owned one of those guns I would have to test fire it.
Dan
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sspierce8
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I have toured the prison. It is very interesting, and makes you wonder what it would have been like. Great looking piece you have there. I have my ggg grandfathers Model 3 US contract which is fully functional, and original, but has lost all the bluing.
