NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2023 Nov 11 @ 09:00UTC-6 : CST/MDT
SMITH & WESSON RARITY: Great Falls, Montana shipped .38-40 DOUBLE ACTION FRONTIER REVOLVER WITH 6 1/2" BARREL, SERIAL NUMBER 53, ONLY 276 MADE AND NUMBERED IN THEIR OWN SERIES WITH SERIAL NUMBERS FROM 1-276, MADE FROM 1900-1910! Complete with Smith & Wesson factory historical letter. (Note: Although cataloged into the twentiety century, all frames were manufactured prior to 1899, making this gun an antique). Of the very
few of these we've heard of coming to market over the years, all have been in hard used condition. This makes sense as anyone wanting a .38-40 revolver was probably spending a lot of time in the outdoors
(ranching most likely) and pairing it with a Winchester or Marlin saddle rifle. This special model was offered in barrel lengths of 4", 5" , 6" and 6 1/2" lengths. This 6 1/2" long barrel example is a factory blue finished revolver that is in wonderful uncleaned condition and has an un-spoiled aged patina. The barrel markings on the top of the barrel are distinct and the correct and original "38 Winchester Ctg." marking on the left side of the barrel is similarly clear. The serial numbers on the barrel, frame, barrel latch and cylinder match. Mechanics are fine and the grips fit perfectly and show normal wear, but no chipping or cracks. There is a five pointed star by the serial number on the butt that is explained in the factory letter which states: "This model was introduced in 1900 and sold until 1910 with a total
production of 276... We have researched your Smith & Wesson .38 Winchester Double Action, caliber .38 Winchester (38/40) in company records which indicate that your handgun with serial number 53, was shipped from our factory on December 20, 1902, and delivered to Great Falls Hardware Co., Great Falls, MT. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 6.5 inch barrel, blue finish. The star following the butt means the revolver has been returned to Smith &
Wesson for repairs or refinishing." Obviously this big revolver may have been repaired, but it was never refinished. The condition and shipping destination indicates it was a working holster-gun and carried many miles. The .38-40 was a popular caliber here in Montana and this rare S&W certainly has a great deal of history and intrigue in it! When you consider that these revolvers were made in four barrel lengths and two finishes (nickel and blue), the number of 6 1/2" blue examples would be very small. This is unquestionably one of the rarest Smith and Wesson revolvers ever offered, and is frequently considered too rare to put a general value on as few have survived to the present time, and rarely are they offered for sale. This is a very respectable example of a specific S&W revolver model that even the most advanced Smith & Wesson collections lack. Even the most referred to S&W books with price guides cannot list a value for this model. Montana had a very small population in 1902 when this revolver was delivered to Great Falls, and any verified Montana shipped firearm is extremely rare. Those known to be shipped to Western locations have increased value over those shipped to any of the usual large Smith & Wesson distributors located in the East or Midwest. On many levels this is a rare prize. Provenance, the late John Fox estate collection, Stevensville, Montana. The revolver weighs 2lbs 4oz. Serial Number: 53. This firearm qualifies as an antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.*
Auction Location:
34156 E Frontage Rd, Bozeman, Montana, 59715, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview the Friday before the auction 10am to 5pm or by appointment.
No sales tax in Montana
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
26% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
North American Auction Company is proud to announce the opening of our new in-house, full-service shipping department. We have listened to you the customer and will now be handling all outgoing packages in our new shipping department. We are confident this new offering will allow for a smooth transition from auction block to your front step. We have partnered with preferred carriers to ensure a safe, efficient delivery that works best with your schedule. Please allow 14-21 days after complete invoice payment is made to package and ship your purchase. After you are notified of your winning bids from our company and your item invoice is paid in full our new shipping department will contact you. Make sure when signing up with our company that your preferred shipping information is up to date as this information will be used to estimate shipping cost. Once the items have been packaged our team will contact you for shipping payment. Shipping invoices and payment will be completely separately than the items invoice. Please notify the shipping department with any alternate request or instructions at mark@northamericanauctioncompany.com or 800-686-4216 ext. 3. For a shipping quote please contact the same information above. PLEASE NOTE a shipping quote price can fluctuate in price. Auction company is not responsible for actual shipping cost being higher than quoted shipping cost. Thank you for trusting North American Auction Co. with your bids and shipping. As our shipping department is brand new please understand that delays can be expected.
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Live Internet Bidding: Auction Co. offers the bidders Live Internet Bidding or otherwise known as Simulcast Bidding as a convenience to our Bidders. Live Internet or Simulcast Bidding is defined as using hosted software by a third party during the live event to relay your bids and have the software and Auction Co. representative bid on your behalf. Live Simulcast Internet Bidding is available through various hosted platforms including but not limited to LiveAuctioneers, ICollector, Proxibid, Invaluable, Auctionzip, and HiBid. Bidders wishing to participate in the Live Internet Bidding event must first register to bid on any of the available hosted platforms in advance including all details of payment. Bidders understand and acknowledge that the Auction Co. is not responsible for the bidders approval to bid and that the Auction Co. has the right to refuse or decline any bidder without limitation. Bidders then must sign into the hosted internet bidding website in advance to the auction and within 30 minutes of the auction event starting time open the Live Bidding window. Auction Co. will not be responsible for any errors or failures to execute bids placed via Internet Simulcast Platforms including without limitation, errors or failures caused by (i) a loss of connection to the internet or to any hosted software platforms; (ii) a breakdown or technical problem with any of the hosted software platforms; (iii) a breakdown or problem with a client's internet connection, mobile network or computer; (iv) the failure to relay the bids placed for any reason without limitation due to the hectic nature of the live auction event. Auction Co. is not responsible for any failure to execute an online bid or for any errors or omissions in connection therewith. Online bidding via all hosted internet platforms will be recorded. All Live Internet Simulcast Bidding is subject to the same terms stated in the Absentee Bidding Section C-4. 4. Absentee Bidding: Auction Co. offers bidders absentee bidding through various venues including but not limited to Online Absentee Bidding, Live Absentee Bidding, Telephone Absentee Bidding, on site in person Absentee Bidding, and Sealed Bid Absentee Bidding. The auction catalog is hosted on various different websites including without limitation LiveAuctioneers, ICollector, Proxibid, Invaluable, Auctionzip, and HiBid. A bidder wishing to participate in the online absentee bidding is required to register to bid and/or create an account, on any of the above listed websites, making sure to fill out the registration and or new account information completely with correct and the most current information. 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Auction Co. is not responsible for any failure to execute an online bid or for any errors or omissions in connection therewith. Online bidding via all hosted internet platforms will be recorded. All bidding is subject to approval by the Auction Co. and Auction Co. Auctioneer representative at the live auction event. Auction Co. holds the right to refuse or decline or accept in any order the bids presented to the Auctioneer at the time of the live event. Bidders understand that all bids placed are considered and executed as Competitive Bidding. Competitive Bidding is allowing the Auction Co. to start the bid at the amount the Auctioneer will accept a bid regardless of any bidder's maximum bid. understand that due to the hectic nature of the live auction event that the Auction Co. and Auctioneer will not take into account the date at which any bid was placed (Example No.1: If the Auctioneer is asking all bidders for a $1,000 bid and a live onsite bidder in person, a bidder through representative, a telephone bidder, an internet live bidder from all of the five available hosted platforms, and an absentee bidder all at the exact same time bid $1,000, the Auctioneer will award the high bid solely at his discretion without limitations. Example No. 2: A bidder number 1 left an absentee bid of $1,000 on a lot. The auction event is in processes and the bidder number 1 is the highest accepted bid at $100 and the Auctioneer according to his sole discretion sets the bidding increments at $100 and then continues to call bids. The bidder number 1 is then accepted as the highest bidder at $900 and the Auctioneer ask for $1,000 and accept the bid from another bidder, bidder number 2, at $1,000. The Auctioneer then calls for any more bids at $1,100 and then sells the item to the bidder number 2. Since the original bidder, bidder number 1, was accepted at $900 and the Auctioneer has chosen $100 increments the next accepted bid must be $1,000 and bidder number 1 cannot bid again as the Auctioneer already has accepted his bid at $900. When the Auctioneer calls for $1,100 bidder number 1 no longer will show the Auction Co. representative any available bids and the item will be sold to bidder number 2). Auction Co. is not liable for any damages or responsible for selling the item to another bidder at your maximum bid amount without limitation. 5. By registering to bid or/and bidding on any item this indicates the bidders acceptance of these terms and all other terms printed within, posted, and announced at the time of sale whether bidding in person, through a representative, by phone, by internet, or other absentee bid. Auction Co. advises any persons who does not fully understand and acknowledge the terms written herewith to refrain from bidding in any manner. All bids left are an acknowledgement and agreement of these terms and a guarantee for all payment invoices on any successful or purchased lots including any additional expenses including but not limited to buyers premium and storage cost and late fees when applicable.