Three Digit U.S. Smith & Wesson Model Schofield .45 S&W 7″ Revolver Antique
SOLD FOR: $4137
LSB#: 230316WH006
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: Schofield 1st Model
Serial Number: 585
Year of Manufacture: 1875
Caliber: .45 S&W (Schofield), Black Powder Only
Action Type: 6-Shot, Single Action, Top-Break, Self-Ejecting Revolver
Markings: The left side of the ejector shroud is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT. JAN. 17TH / & 24TH 65. JULY 11TH 65. AUG. 24TH 69. JULY 25TH 71”, the right is marked “SCHOFIELD’S PAT. APR. 22D 1873”, the underside is marked “L / P” and with what appears to be a backward “R”. The frame under the cylinder is marked “L”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “241”, “P”, and “L”. The butt of the grip frame is marked with the serial number “585” and it is also marked “US” at the front. The interior of the right grip panel is stamped with the serial number “585”. The left side of the barrel is marked “241” under the latch block. The barrel latch block is marked “273”. The underside of the topstrap is marked “A”.
Barrel Length: 7?
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a half-round blade pinned to the rib. The rear sight is a “U” notch in the barrel latch. The rib has a “V” groove that runs the length of the rib and top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth walnut panels. There are some scattered nicks, dings, and scratches. The majority of the wear is dark from age. The heaviest marks are on the bottom faces. There is wear on the edges. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original. The barrel, cylinder, and latch black are not original to the frame.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There are some scattered patches of pitting and erosion. In my opinion, this bore is a 6 or 7 out of 10. Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 35% of its metal finish. The bluing is strongest and most noticeable on the frame. There are scattered areas of light oxidation and some scattered areas of patina. There are some scattered areas of light scabbing. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, scrapes, and scratches. Some of the marks have removed small portions of surface metal, the most noticeable removed metal is on the sides of the barrel at the cylinder. There are some scattered areas of light pitting and erosion. There are scattered handling marks. The screwheads are disfigured. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action does not function correctly. The cylinder is out of timing. The cylinder does not lock up properly. The ejector still functions properly and the hammer has a strong mainspring. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a leather holster.
Our Assessment: This revolver comes to us from 1875 as a 1st Model Schofield in .45 S&W, with inspector marks and a “US” marking on the toe. Some of the parts have been replaced but that is not surprising for a revolver of its age and viable role in military history. The U.S. Army adopted the .44 S&W American caliber Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolver in 1870, making the Model 3 revolver the first standard-issue cartridge-firing revolver in US service. Most military pistols until that point were black powder cap and ball revolvers, which were (by comparison) slow, complicated, and susceptible to the effects of wet weather. In 1875 the US Ordnance Board granted Smith & Wesson a contract to outfit the military with Model 3 revolvers incorporating the design improvements of Major George W. Schofield (known as the “Schofield revolver”), providing that they could make the revolvers fire the .45 Colt (AKA “.45 Long Colt”) ammunition already in use by the US military. Smith & Wesson instead developed their own, slightly shorter .45 caliber round, the .45 Schofield, otherwise known as the .45 S&W. This item still has some of its bluing left, the bore is mostly semi-bright with highly defined rifling. If you are a collector of Smith & Wesson or martially marked firearms, your collection is not complete without a US Schofield, especially one that has survived this nicely. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red
