Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model Schofield 2000 Wells Fargo Edition

SOLD FOR; $2723

LSB#: 230731RB005

Make: Smith & Wesson Performance Center

Model: Schofield Model of 2000 aka 3rd Model Schofield, Wells Fargo Edition, No. 170207

Serial Number: WFC0074

Year of Manufacture: 2001

Caliber: .45 Schofield (.45 S&W)

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Top-Break Barrel

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “.45 S&W” and the left side of the barrel lug is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS. U.S.A. PAT. JAN 17TH / & 24TH 65. JULY 11TH 65. AUG. 24TH 69. JULY 25TH 71.”. The left lower section of the grip is marked with a rectangular cartouche containing the letters “FJEC” in script (J.F.E. Chamberlian, 1st & 2nd Model Schofields, 1865). The bottom of the grip frame is marked “US” and “WFC0074”. The right side of the barrel lug is marked “SCHOFIELD’S PAT. APR. 22D 1873”. The serial number is marked twice on the left side of the grip frame. 

Barrel Length: 5″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a half-round blade pinned to a slot in the top of the barrel. The left side of the blade is marked “PERFORMANCE CENTER / 2000” and the right side with “Mod. 3 Schofield / 1875”. The rear sight is a small “V” notch at the center of a shallow “U” groove in the top of the barrel latch.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth walnut with a satin finish. There are no major defects, just light handling wear. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Nickel & Case Colored

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. In my opinion, this bore is a 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are some scattered draglines and swirl marks typical of nickel finishes. There are some minor scuffs. The cylinder has a faint turn line. There are some light handing marks. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has minor side-to-side movement and the barrel lockup is solid. 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: This pistol comes with a gold S&W Heritage series two-piece box with metal tab corners and a serial matching label. The box contains paperwork including the manual.

Our Assessment: 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. With the advancement of revolver technology, the revolver was discontinued and Smith & Wesson moved on to producing new and improved designs. The story wasn’t over, because in 2000 they re-released a new Schofield!

This is a Smith & Wesson Model 3 Schofield Single Action Revolver in .45 Schofield. It is a 6-shot top break revolver with a 5” barrel, and a nickel finish with a case colored hammer, trigger, trigger guard and barrel latch. The grips are smooth walnut, complete with cartouche. The revolver was made as a limited-edition modern reproduction of the original Schofield by the S&W Performance Center, incorporating the modern technical and engineering advances of the last 125 years. This submodel, the Model 2000, has quite a history itself adding to the already rich history of the Schofield revolver. The story actually starts in 1975 when they decided that they wanted to produce a Schofield again. The company got to work and studied guns in their collection as well as blueprints. After realizing it was a much more substantial undertaking than originally anticipated and continuing with the project would hinder production of other revolvers, Smith & Wesson put the project on the back burner.

There it sat on the back burner for over two decades before it came to a boil. The Smith & Wesson Performance Center took a keen interest in the project in 1998. With their strength in crafting specialty equipment with their technical expertise, they decided that the project would have its day in the sun! They decided that it would be introduced at the 2000 SHOT show…very ambitious Smith! Using their techniques, the production was updated and some design features were changed, like the frame-mounted firing pin. It was tough going, the Performance Center gained a lot of respect for the old world craftsman who had built the originals because they had to learn the old techniques. There was such a steep learning curve that the first 125 were delayed. All ended well and lucky for us enthusiasts, they turned out beautiful!

Since it was 125 years of history being celebrated with this revolver, the first 125 were sold at a special auction. The revolvers were well received and there were a few variations available. This one is the nickel finished Wells Fargo edition with a shorter 5″ barrel and special “WFC” serial number prefix. This one has minimal wear and looks phenominal. This revolver would make a great addition to any S&W or top break revolver collection. There were only a few thousand of these made, so it is only going to increase in value as time goes on. Please see our photos and good luck!

Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red