Schofield Revolver

[mattymo]

Hello, I would really appreciate some help for me in identifying this Schofield revolver. It has been in my family for a very long time. I don’t really know the back story with revolver other that it was my great grand dads. The revolver came into my possession after my dad passed and mom wanted me to have it and a few other items in his collection.

The revolver has a serial number on the butt of the gun and the # is 71. There is also a stamp of L and P which is located on the underside of the barrel near the hinge connecting the barrel to the rest of the gun. Do you think this is a 1st or 2nd model Schofield? How old is this gun? I am a little confused b/c I do not see any other markings on the revolver other than what is listed above. I am enclosing pictures, please let me know what you think... Thank you

 

[opoefc]

Welcome to the Forum. The gun is a first Model Schofield, and the serial number is 71. Your photos are very small on my computer screen and so far I can't get them bigger, but there's no doubt what the gun is. The 71 should also be stamped on the back side of the right grip panel, if the grips are original to the gun. There should be a stamping on the side of the barrel lug saying "Schofield's Patent" and a US stamp on the butt. The gun would have been in the first shipment to the US Army in 1874 due to the low serial number. The "L" stamp is the initial of the inspector, David Lyle. The "P" stands for "proof" If the gun was ever refinished in the past, some of the stampings may have been buffed off in the process. Nice family heirloom gun. Ed.

 

[mattymo]

Ed-

Thanks for the information! It has all the markings you describe below with the exception of the US stamp on the butt. The gun does not seem to be refinished at all. Is there any reason why the US stamp is not on the revolver? Can you give me a range of the value for this piece?

Thank you for your assistance... Matt

 

[DGT]

Mattymo, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear of your dad's passing. As stated your revolver is a first model and is a wonderful heirloom.It appears to have had some work or modification to the pin in the barrel/frame hinge. I will post a picture of mine to show the difference.

I don't know how to value it with this modification but hopefully someone will be along with an opinion. In any event, it is a historically important and desirable revolver.

 

[opoefc]

Mattymo, There's two reasons why the US stamp isn't seen on the butt. (1) it was removed by someone after the gun left US possession. Sometimes in years gone by, law enforcement types, would confiscate any firearm found with a US stamp, on the assumption is was stolen, so legal owner's who had purchased the guns at surplus sales, would remove the US. Especially dealers. (2) The US stamp was never there, because the gun did not go to the Military, but went to a S&W distributor as a "civilian" sold gun. These guns are very rare, especially in the first model Schofield. It is estimated that about 20 plus such guns were shipped to dealers. These guns came about because the Army inspector rejected them at final inspection, for whatever reason. S&W could have sent them back to the Service Dep't for repair, etc., and sometimes did that, however their distributors were clamoring for this new .45 cal. revolver and were paying S&W more that the Gov't, so economics prevailed. These guns would have the "L" and "P" stamps, however, but not the US stamp on the butt and often not the cartouche of the inspector's initials on the grips. The only way to verify whether your gun is a civilian shipped gun is by a factory letter from Roy Jinks, S&W factory Historian. Value of the gun depends on what the letter reveals. Good luck,, Ed.

 

[mattymo]

Thank you Opoefc and DGT for the great information!

Opoefc- There is no US stamp on the butt and no ruminants of a cartouche on the grip. Do you have an email or a number to get in touch with Roy Jinks?

I appreciate your help. I am having a lot of fun figuring out this Scholfield! -Matt

 

[opoefc]

There's a link on the Forum to the Factory letter request form. Look on the tool bar and click on "Downloads" Then click on "SWCA forms." The last form is the letter request form. Print it out, fill it out, and send it , with your check for $50, to Roy Jinks, c/o S&W . It's a good idea to include as many photos of the gun as you can with the request, especially the butt and the stocks. You have a great family heirloom gun and the factory letter will add to it's value and attraction as a family keepsake. Good luck, Ed.