Schofield

[Shotgunner]

This is a little out of my area of expertise, but I have always wanted a big top break and stopped bidding on N frames for a day. I am guessing the US mark on the frame indicates military use, really cool grips. the gun locks up and is in time, I will shoot it once I get some ammo. What can you tell me about it?

 

[mmaher94087]

Your Schofield is a 2nd model. The Schofield revolvers were manufactured in response to a government contract and that explains the US on the butt. Yours originally had walnut stocks and was blue. Very few were nickel plated. An aftermarket distributor would often plate the revolvers and add fancy grips (ivory etc.) in order to sell the surplus arms.

 

[Shotgunner]

Your Schofield is a 2nd model. The Schofield revolvers were manufactured in response to a government contract and that explains the US on the butt. Yours originally had walnut stocks and was blue. Very few were nickel plated. An aftermarket distributor would often plate the revolvers and add fancy grips (ivory etc.) in order to sell the surplus arms.

I don't think that is nickel, it looks to be in the white at this point.

 

[iby]

White..
It looks chemically cleaned
However it is a Schofield and looks original parts

 

[Heinz]

Nice looking Schofield and a good candidate for a shooter. The experts will be along shortly.
I agree with with the chemical cleaning hypothesis

 

[Blue dog]

Nice 2nd Model Schofield Shotgunner.

Original barrel lengths are very desirable and becoming harder to find.

First and foremost. Safety.
The original Schofields mic at .450 Groove diameter. So you can’t safely shoot a modern .454 knock-off smokeless round through this antique.
Hand loading a black Powder or substitute with a pure lead .450 RN will work if the antique is fully functional and has no damage to the cylinder or barrel.

Documented info;

It was shipped October 12,1876 to the National Armory in Springfield, Ma as part of a 3,000 gun shipment to the U.S. Military needing them for the Indian Wars.

In 1877 over 2,000 Schofields were shipped to New York to support the Railroad riots across the country that same year.

Along with and additional 1,500 + that shipped to Michigan,Indiana, California, Kansas, West Virginia, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, Florida, Maine, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.

The Military records are filled with issuance and returns due to “Non serviceable”. So it’s extremely difficult to determine how many remained with the Militia and how many exactly were returned to the Armory and subsequently returned or re-issued to Military personnel.
There was a war on so the Army needed those guns but many were sold to Surplus by the States and ended up as Express Guns for Wells Fargo and American Express.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

You have (as others have said) a .45 S&W Schofield, Second Model. The
second model has a steel frame (first models had iron frames) and the
firing pin pushing was considered unnecessary and was eliminate.
From your serial number, it was part of the second contract for 3,000
revolvers.

Yous has the first type patent dates on the right side of the barrel. It was
during this contract the patent date die was changed to reflect both of
George Schofield's patents (not just the one in 1873).

I have a Schofield that is within 300 serial numbers. SN 4343





This one the barrel has been shortened and stamped with the "W.F. & CO'S. EX"
and serial number in large numbers.



As you will notice, this example has the earlier patent date (w/o the 1871 date).

Needless to say, check your revolver out thoroughly before shooting it. If you
are interested in the inspector markings, we could go into that.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[mmaher94087]

I took time to revisit a look at the finish after enlarging the photos. It appears that the bluing has been stripped off the metal by (probably) using white vinegar. As iby said, "...and looks original parts".