EXCEPTIONALLY FINE SMITH & WESSON NO. 3 FIRST MODEL AMERICAN SA REVOLVER.

inv# 01-18817

Cal. 44 S&W American. S# 6337.

The American was the first big bore cartridge revolver & has become an icon of the Old West where it was favored by gunfighters, lawmen & used by the military during the Indian Wars.

Total of approx. 8,000 mfg. 1870-1872. Bbl. 8″ rnd. w/ rib & long ejector housing. Rib has 1 line address “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT. JULY 10, 60, JAN. 17, FEB. 17, JULY 11, 65 & AUG. 24, 69”. 1.45″ Six shot fluted cyl. Blue finish w/ case colored hammer & trigger guard. Although this revolver is below the accepted 6800 to 8000 S# range of the transition revolvers, it does have the improved locking hammer. Assembly # “F6” is found on the rear cyl. face, cyl. latch & left inside of the grip frame. German silver semi circular pinned blade front sight w/ fixed U notch rear sight. 2 Piece walnut grips, marked “6337” on inside of right grip panel. The No. 3 was considered a working gun & is seldom found in a high state of condition.