2020 September Premier, Volume I

Incredibly Rare & Highly Desirable U.S. Smith & Wesson 1st Model American -
Often a Missing Link in Even the Most Advanced U.S. Military Collections
Collector’s Fact
This revolver is one
of the first 1,000
manufactured for the
U.S. Government.
208
LOT 221
Rare Highly Desirable and Documented U.S. Smith & Wesson Model 3
American 1st Model Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 1523, 44 American
cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured from 1870 to 1872, the First
Model American was the first top break, automatic ejecting revolver. This revolver also has
the distinguishment of being one of the 1,000 manufactured for the U.S. Government, with
blue finish. Interesting enough, this model was introduced 3 years before the Colt Single
Action Army revolver and is probably, more than any other model, associated with the historic
American West. The American Revolver was the first cartridge revolver adopted by the U.S.
military and saw usage throughout the Indian Wars as it was reported to have been issued to
the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Cavalry. This rare and desirable U.S. martial revolver is listed
by its serial number in the STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON by Jim Supica & Richard
Nahas as a Model 3 that was purchased by the U.S. government. Like all government contract
firearms these were subject to military acceptance inspection which was a task assigned to
Orville W. Answorth, one of the rarest and most collected inspectors of Colt Model 1873 Single
Action Cavalry Revolvers and bear his distinctive “A” acceptance proof. The top of the barrel rib
has the one line address and patent dates marking followed by “US” at the breech. The cylinder
has a small letter “P” and small letter “A” on two flutes with the letter “A” repeated on the left
side of the top strap and left side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard and the letter “P”
repeated on the right side of the barrel forward of the hinge. The serial number is stamped
on the butt with matching assembly number “S2” on grip strap under the grip, the rear of the
cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and trigger guard and
fitted with smooth walnut grips. The right grip panel is numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Very good. The revolver retains 20% original
blue finish mostly in the protected areas with the balance
a smooth brown patina. The hammer and trigger guard
retain flashes of original case colors. The grips are fine with a couple minor putty filled repairs
near the bottom, high edge wear and some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
The “U.S.” Americans transcend the “normal” collecting genres and draw interest from U.S.
military collectors, Indian War collectors as well as Smith & Wesson collectors. Given that these
revolvers were issued two years prior to the Colt 1873 Single Action these pistols saw service
all the way through the Indian Wars including the Battle of Little Bighorn. Considering the
time period, the frequent use and extremely harsh conditions this is an excellent and original
example worthy of the most advanced collection.
Estimate: 7500 - 11000