3203

Scarce British Proofed Smith & Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifle with Shoulder Stock and Factory Case

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:8,500.00 USD Estimated At:17,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Scarce British Proofed Smith & Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifle with Shoulder Stock and Factory Case
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Scarce British Proofed Smith & Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifle with Shoulder Stock and Factory Case

Manufactured from 1879 to 1887, the Model 320 revolving rifle is one of the rarest Smith & Wesson firearms produced with a total production of 977. These firearms were serial numbered from 1 to 977 and out of the 977 manufactured, 514 had the 18 inch barrel. Only 840 of these were sold in the U.S. and the remaining 137 were exported, with this example having British proofs. This scarce and unusual revolving rifle was sometimes referred to as the Smith & Wesson "Buntline Special" in the combination of a long barreled revolver with attaching shoulder stock. This Model 320 was manufactured using the frame, cylinder and basic action of the New Model No. 3 revolver with some minor differences in the hammer and trigger, with the barrel being made of two pieces. A slot is cut into the butt and a hole drilled in the back strap to accommodate the shoulder stock. The rifle features an 18 inch barrel with a blade front sight, a two leaf folding rear sight and a solid rib which is marked with the two line address/patent date marking. The matching serial number appears on the butt, cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and trigger guard. The left side of the barrel at the breech is stamped with two British proofs and the cylinder has British proofs stamped between the chambers. The barrel is fitted with a checkered hard rubber red mottled forearm with the S&W monogram on the underside. The grips are matching with S&W monograms in a circle at the tops. The stock is smooth Circassian walnut with blue finished attaching iron and a checkered black hard rubber buttplate with S&W monogram. The original hard leather case has brass corner protectors. The lining is cow hide and there are three compartments (one for the rifle, one for the stock and one for a box of cartridges. The following accessories are included with the gun: a stock tang peep sight, a box of Winchester .32 S&W revolving rifle cartridges (50 cartridges included).

Manufacture: Smith & Wesson
Model: Revolving-Rifle
BBL: 18 inch solid rib
Stock:
Gauge: 320
Finish: blue
Grips: hard rubber
Serial Number: 899

Excellent. The revolving rifle retains 90% original bright blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance (mostly on the cylinder) with some minor handling marks. The hammer and trigger guard retain strong traces of vivid original case colors. The forearm and grips are also excellent with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically fine. The stock is fine with the attaching hardware retaining 80% original bright blue finish and the wood has a number of minor handling marks. The worn case is good with the straps missing.