Extremely Rare and Highly Desirable U.S. Smith & Wesson 38 Safety Hammerless Army Test Revolver with Ultra Rare Factory Letter

There were only 100 of these 38 Safety Hammerless Revolvers sold to the U.S. Government in May of 1890, making these one of the most difficult and desirable of all U.S. contract arms. The revolvers are Third Models, although they are in the Second Model serial number range, 41333 - 41470 (note serial number of this revolver). The revolver has the push button barrel release, two line address/patent dates on the top of the barrel rib and is marked ''U.S." on the left side of the barrel lug. Casehardened trigger, five round fluted cylinder and checkered hard rubber grips with S&W logos at the top. The serial number on the butt, cylinder and barrel all match. The included factory letter confirms the barrel length, finish and hard rubber grips with the revolver shipped to the U.S. government, National Armory, Springfield, MA on May 31, 1890. With the revolver is a period leather flap holster

Manufucture: Smith & Wesson
Model: 38 Safety Hammerless
BBL: 6 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 38 S&W
Finish: blue
Grips: hard rubber
Serial Number: 41425

  • Condition: Very good. The revolver retains traces of the bright original blue finish (in the protected areas) with a mottled gray patina on the balance. The heavily worn grips are good with some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. The holster is good showing age cracking (mostly on the flap) with overall tight stitching. The rare U.S. military Smith & Wesson revolver is seldom found and is absent from most U.S. martial collections!

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Shipping

We will arrange for packing and shipping at our earliest possible convenience. We will attempt to ship as soon as possible, however, due to the huge volume of absentee bidders, delays in shipping of seven days after full payment is received by us is typical. In the case of crating or any exceptional packaging, the buyer will be charged our cost from outside agents. Buyer pays all shipping and insurance charges.

by Rock Island Auction Company
September 13, 2013 9:00 AM CDT
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000