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Ref.number: 3-398
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SMITH & WESSON FIRST MODEL SCHOFIELD SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER

#1707 Cal. 45 S&W. Standard model, 7" barrel military issue revolver. Retains about 95% of its period applied nickel finish. During the 1880s, the US military began divesting themselves of both 1st & 2nd Model Schofield revolvers. The guns were primarily sold to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham and Francis Bannerman & Company, both of New York. Many of these guns were subsequently altered by having their 7” barrels cut down to 5” (handier length), and the guns were professionally refinished nickel-plated (to withstand the rigors of Western usage) for sale to the Western market as early as 1880. This revolver is uncut, it has its original "7" barrel. Mecanically perfect with a very fine bore and cylinder chambers. It is marked with the two line address/patent dates on the left side of the ejector housing flanked by elongated Maltese crosses. The right side of the ejector housing is marked "+SCHOFIELD'S PAT. APR. 22D 1873+". The butt is marked "U.S." along with the serial number "1707". The rear cylinder face is stamped with the matching serial and Ordnance sub-inspector's "L" and "P". Letter "L" also marked on the bottom flat of the ejector housing. The grips are smooth walnut with no visible ordnance inspector's cartouche. The matching serial number is stamped on the inside of the right panel. The revolver was delivered in 1875, one year before Brevet General George Armstrong Custer led his 7th Cavalry to their death along the banks of the Little Big Horn River. 1st Model Schofields are scarce, only 3,000 were delivered on contract to the U.S. military during 1875. Many were issued to the U.S. 4th Cavalry, (seeing service in the Geronimo Campaign), and the black troopers (Buffalo Soldiers) of the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry. Frank and Jesse James, Cole Younger and U.S. Marshall Bill Tilghman also carried the Schofield, as did Charley Reynolds Chief Scout for Custer. A good honest gun, all matching hard to find in any condition!! Cartridges shown for information purposes only!