Guns International #: 102806879
Seller's Inventory #: 233839

Category - Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Antique - Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Schofield

Category
Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Antique
Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Schofield

RARE Antique U.S. SMITH & WESSON 1st Model SCHOFIELD Single Action REVOLVER One of 3,035 First Models Manufactured in 1875

Description:
RARE Antique U.S. SMITH & WESSON 1st Model SCHOFIELD Single Action REVOLVER

One of 3,035 First Models Manufactured in 1875

Here we present an antique U.S. Smith & Wesson First Model Schofield Single Action Revolver, manufactured in 1875. A total of 3,035 First Models were manufactured in 1875, its only year of production. The precursor to this revolver was the S&W #3, which Major George Schofield was very impressed with. After making several improvements to the #3, Schofield proceeded to arrange for U.S. Ordnance Department trials of the new revolver. However, Major Schofield was a little late. In November and December of 1872 additional trials had taken place between several models of Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers. The winning design was the Colt, a gun that would become the most famous and recognizable handgun of the old west era, the Model 1873 Single Action Army, aka the “Peacemaker”.

Schofield should have probably accepted defeat at this point, but he had quite a bit of political pull within the army. His brother was General John Schofield of Civil War fame, and the General was a friend of General William Tecumseh Sherman, also of Civil War fame, who served as General of the Army (five star general) from 1869-1883. General John Schofield served as the Acting Secretary of War between June of 1868 through March of 1869. In 1876 he was made the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Between Major  Schofield’s inroad with officers who supported the Smith & Wesson design and the political influence of his brother, he managed to get his redesigned Smith & Wesson revolver in front of the Board of Ordnance for review in June of 1874. The findings were sufficiently positive that a contract was let to Smith & Wesson for 3,000 of the new “Schofield” model revolvers in September of 1874. These guns would become known to collectors as 1st Model Schofield revolvers. They were six-shot, single-action revolvers with 7” ribbed barrels, and a square butt profile and two piece walnut grips. While most were blued with color case hardened triggerguards and hammers, some were delivered with a factory nickel finish, as is this one. These .45 caliber revolvers were chambered for the .45 S&W (aka .45 Schofield) cartridge.

After the military was finished with these revolvers, the 1st Model Schofield would become popular with the express companies that required affordable, reliable weapons for their agents to defend against criminals during stagecoach holdups and train robberies. Most used by the express companies, such as Wells Fargo, had their barrels shortened to 5 inches. Their fast loading capabilities would have been important given Jesse and Frank James, Cole Younger, and other outlaw legends of the Old West are also known to have carried Schofields and other variations of the Smith & Wesson No. 3. This example has the standard First Model markings, standard blade and notch sights, and smooth walnut grips. 

The overall condition is very good. Original nickel finish. The action is excellent. The bore is in very good condition with sharp rifling. The grips are solid. Numbers match. “US” is stamped at the toe of the grip frame. Barrel shortened during the period to 5”.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 5 inches.

Caliber: .45 Schofield (also known as .45 S&W)

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

ancestryguns

$5200

#233839
 

Price: $5,200.00                     Buy Now

Antique: Yes