Second model Schofield revolver

[CW_Guy]

I recently purchased this second model Schofiel, it is a matching numbers serial 4162, old nickel plating 7 inch barrel, it is in very fine condition, it has the US stamp on the but, right side of barrel reads SCHOFIELDS PAT. APR. 22D 1873 , left side in 2 lines
SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT. JAN. 17TH
&24TH 65. JULY 11TH 65. AUG.24TH 69. JULY 25TH 71.
the serial number is on the butt and on the face of the cylinder, on the cylinder are the letters W and P, on the inside of the frame is the letter W, on the underside of the barrel at the hinge are the letters E and P, the left grip has the serial number on the inside, the right does not, on the left grip there is a cartouche visible CW.
The gun has 80 % nickle remaing, bore is lightly pitted but decent.
I think this is a military gun, and would like to have more info on what regiment could have used this weapon, I hope some of the experts here on the forum can help me with this kind of information.
Thnx

 

[JH1951]

Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania.
Lots of information (and likely some questions) will be coming your way soon - when the experts wake up.

 

[Tom Kent]

I have read that the nickle plated hand guns were issued to Indian scouts who worked for the U.S. Srmy.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Appears to be a 2nd Model in original nickel. Not many of them, I surmise. Someone who specializes in these guns will have to help you as there fakes out there.

 

[opoefc]

Looks like a nice example of a 2nd model Schofield. You should order a factory historical letter for the gun to verify the nickel finish as original, although it appears to be so, as the case hardened parts are not nickeled. On the other hand, the gun may have been nickeled by a distributor who purchased the gun as surplus from the Army. A factory issued military nickeled Schofield would be uncommon, but a Schofield sold commercially to a distributor could well be a refinished in nickel gun. The factory will not have any info. on military unit use. The Springfield Research volumes ( 1 thru 4 ) on military small arms in unit inventories might list your gun , but it's a long shot. Ed.

 

[CW_Guy]

Hi Thanx for the information, I will get a factory letter, I hope to get some good info on this gun, there is always the possibility that is was renickeled by a surplus dealer, after his army career, wich was probably before 1900, I will post the remaining pctures of the gun