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Rare Low Serial Number Smith & Wesson Model 3 First Model American "Oil Hole" Single Action Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Rare Low Serial Number Smith & Wesson Model 3 First Model American  Oil Hole  Single Action Revolver
Rare Low Serial Number Smith & Wesson Model 3 First Model American "Oil Hole" Single Action Revolver. Serial no. 169, .44 American caliber, 8-inch fluted barrel with German silver blade type front sight. Top of barrel rib marked: Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S. Pat. July 10, '60 Jan. 17 Feb 17 Jul 11 65 & Aug. 24 69. Blued finish. Oil hole present on bottom of extractor housing. Hinged top latch. Case-hardened hammer and trigger. Flat bottom frame. Smooth walnut grips. Sold together with a Smith & Wesson factory letter stating that this firearm was sold on November 12, 1870 and shipped to M.W. Robinson, New York City, NY., Smith & Wesson's largest distributor. Records indicate this revolver was shipped with an 8-inch barrel, blue finish and smooth walnut grips. It was one of a shipment of 25 of this model, all in a blue finish [for discussion of this model, see Supica & Nahas, Standard Catalog of Smith & Wessons, page 90]. Condition: Fine. Retaining approximately 35-45% finish, the remainder with mellow grey-brown age patina. Some vibrant case-hardening remaining on hammer and trigger. Grips with light wear. Action tight and crisp.