Lot 10

Benchmark Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Revolver

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Benchmark Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Revolver

Estimate: $8,500 - $14,000

Starting Bid: $7,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Stunning Benchmark Example of the Iconic Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Single Action Revolver This is an incredible benchmark example of the Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target revolver manufactured from 1887 to 1910. The Smith & Wesson No. 3 revolvers were very serious competitors to Colt's prolific "Peacemaker" and offered faster unloading and reloading than the Single Action Army and were preferred by a number of gunslingers in the West as well as competitive marksmen throughout the U.S. and abroad. The Target variation, like this example, in particular would have given one significant advantages over the Colt including significantly more advanced sights, and some were owned by American Olympian Walter Winans. The foundation laid by these No. 3 revolvers allowed Smith & Wesson to compete with Colt for decades, encouraging competitive innovation and improvement between the two which continued on through the 20th century. These revolvers fall in the 1 to 4333 serial number range, and only approximately 2,930 were chambered in .32-44 S&W caliber. This revolver letters as shipped on October 5, 1899, to M. P. Rice and has target sights, the single line barrel rib marking, a 1 7/16 inch cylinder, and matching serial numbers on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. A possible contender for "M. P. Rice" is Canadian photographer Moses Parker Rice (1839-1925) who began his career in Washington, D.C., as an assistant to famed Civil War photographer Alexander Gardner and is the subject in the great debate surrounding the identity of the photographer who took the "Gettysburg Portrait," a head on photograph of President Abraham Lincoln taken two weeks before his Gettysburg Address at Gardner's studio. Although this photo is generally attributed to Gardner, the copyright on the negative is marked "M.P. Rice," leading others to believe that Rice took the famed portrait of Lincoln.

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson

Model: New Model No 3

BBL: 6 1/2 inch solid rib

Gauge: 32-44 S&W

Finish: blue

Grips: hard rubber

Serial Number3019

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Excellent plus, retaining 98% bright original high polish blue finish showing very limited spotting over all. 98% plus vibrant original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are also excellent plus with minimal handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.

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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 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000