John Taffin’s Navy Arms Uberti Schofield Top Break .45 Colt S/A Revolver
SOLD FOR: $1,111.00
LSB#: LSB260521SS030
Make: Uberti, imported by Navy Arms
Model: 1875 No. 3 Schofield Replica
Serial Number: 54
Year of Manufacture: 1995 / Modern (BF date code)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action, 6-shot Top Break Revolver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “CAL. 45 L.C.” / “NAVY ARMS CO. RIDGEFIELD N.J.”. The right side of the barrel is marked “A. UBERTI-ITALY”. The bottom of the barrel lug is marked with proof marks. The cylinder is marked with proof marks. The rear cylinder face and the bottom of the grip butt is marked “54”.
Barrel Length: 7″, Full Rib
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a half-moon blade pinned to the barrel rib. The rear sight is a V-notch milled into the barrel release latch and the full length of the rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece yellow colored plastic with eagle and shield motif on each panel. There are minor handling scratches and scuffs. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case-colored
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is fouling present. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its original metal finish. There are scattered handling scratches and compression. There is carbon residue in the cylinder flutes and the barrel just forward of the cylinder. There is a turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. There are tool marks around some of the pins. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lockup is tight with minor play at each chamber. The single action is crisp. We did not fire this revolver, but we did perform a mechanical check. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity
Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson Schofield was developed from the large-frame Model No. 3 through modifications proposed by Maj. George W. Schofield, primarily to make the top-break latch easier for mounted troops to operate. Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1875, the Schofield combined a single-action mechanism with simultaneous extraction when the action was opened, permitting considerably faster unloading and reloading than contemporary solid-frame revolvers. Approximately 8,000 were purchased by the Army, and original Schofields were produced from 1875 to 1877 with 7″ barrels and the shorter .45 S&W cartridge that became known as the .45 Schofield. Uberti later recreated the design for the modern reproduction market, with Navy Arms among the early importers; unlike the originals, the Uberti reproduction used a lengthened cylinder allowing chambering in .45 Colt. This low-serial-number Navy Arms example represents an early Uberti interpretation of the historic military Schofield, with provenance to noted sixgun writer John Taffin documented by the included Collection Certificate of Authenticity.
This revolver remains in Fine condition, retaining approximately 98% of its original blue and case-colored finish with light handling and operational wear. The yellow-colored eagle-and-shield grips remain Excellent, while the bright, sharply rifled bore rates 9/10 with fouling but no erosion. The action functions correctly with tight lockup and a crisp single-action trigger, though we did not fire the revolver. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY