Schofield Top-Break Patent Octb 17, 1876

[joyreside]

Hello - This is the information on a gun we found while going through my 100 year old mother's cedar chest. It belonged to my grandfather and has been in the family at least from 1890 perhaps before. I know it has been in this chest since I was little (1950's) I would like to know if it is an original and if it has any value considering the condition. I have included photos that I hope help. Thank you in advance.

 

[TenTea]

I love the smell of old cedar...or fresh cedar for that matter.

What a great family heirloom!

Expert (I am not one) opinions forthcoming, I'm sure.

I, for one, would like to see the face of the grips (stocks).

Enjoy the ride.

 

[Jim Watson]

Interesting.
But it is unfortunately not a S&W Schofield, since that revolver is a single action .45, not a double action. Nor is it a S&W at all, there are many differences from the period Smith double actions.
The barrel rib legend is purely fraudulent, intended to deceive an unsophisticated buyer.

There was another marked the same discussed here four years ago, but the pictures have expired.

I'd look for Belgian proof marks, if they aren't there, it is probably Spanish.

 

[TenTea]

Interesting.
{/snip}
I suspect Spanish manufacture.

This is what I surmised via the googles, but was not positive enough to say so.
Still a neat heirloom and conversation piece!

 

[DWalt]

I can't say whether it is Spanish, Belgian, or possibly from elsewhere. I can say it's not a S&W. It seems to be a knockoff of the S&W .38 Double Action revolver from the late 19th to early 20th century. The "Schofield Patent" concerned the design of the barrel latch, and this one does not even have a Schofield barrel latch. A clear intent to deceive a long-ago purchaser.

 

[joyreside]

Thanks for the info, I suspected it was not an original as there were no markings on the inside of the grip and no other marks on the gun. Also my grandfather was an extremely poor dirt farmer so I know he could ill afford an expensive gun. Also found out that one of the "hired-hands" on the farm was climbing over a fence with the gun in his pocket and it accidently went off - shot himself in the leg and passed away in the field. Maybe that is why it has been held onto - Yikes! Thank you everyone for the education!

 

[DWalt]

The late 19th and early 20th century abounded with many different revolver makers, both foreign and domestic. Colt and S&W were the top of the line of these for quality, and their products were priced accordingly. This created a market for cheaper handguns for those who could not afford a Colt or a S&W. The large mail order companies like Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward sold not only Colt and S&W handguns but an array of others, and in fact owned majority interest in some smaller gun manufacturers. Their early catalogs had offerings from not only Colt and S&W, but also from U. S. makers Iver Johnson, Harrington and Richardson, and many from Europe, plus their own house branded guns. This was also true for long guns, mainly shotguns. Prices were about half (or less) the price of products from the high-quality U.S. gunmakers. They were very popular in many rural areas of the U. S. where money was scarce.

 

[gbs1x]

Interesting.
But it is unfortunately not a S&W Schofield, since that revolver is a single action .45, not a double action. Nor is it a S&W at all, there are many differences from the period Smith double actions.
The barrel rib legend is purely fraudulent, intended to deceive an unsophisticated buyer.

There was another marked the same discussed here four years ago, but the pictures have expired.

I'd look for Belgian proof marks, if they aren't there, it is probably Spanish.

I also have one-has belgian proof on rear face of cylinder. Hand spring is broken so cylinder won't rotate on it's own. only works in single action-will work in double action if hammer is set at half cock first.

 

[BMur]

Belgian made Copy

These Belgium copies are gaining value pretty fast actually.
Your family likely mail ordered the gun through Sears or Montgomery Wards catalog back in the day. Very common during that Era!
It's a neat gun and a great heirloom. Value depends on if it functions at this point. Still has a lot of nickel finish. If it's cleaned up professionally to have more appeal? I can see you getting a couple hundred for it. Does it have a caliber stamp on the barrel? or frame?
The Schofield is a .45 but I don't believe these were made in .45....Likely a .44?
The solid frame Bulldog Belgian types were made in .45 and even .50 cal. but these top breaks I don't think I have ever seen a larger caliber than 44 WCF.

Murph

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Here is my Belgium marked S&W copy in .44-40 WCF

 

[BMur]

Belgium Stamped

That's the first time I've actually seen one stamped "Belgium" on the top-strap.

Murph