GR79-0423-4672, Smith and Wesson Schofield 1st Model. Clearly cartouched on the left grip. US marked on backstrap.Serial #13xx, matches on the frame, right grip (early smiths were only stamped on the right grip, this is correct) barrel and latch. Sub-inspector marks on the frame, back of cylinder (under ejector) and on barrel. The back of the cylinder has no number, but has a PROOF mark, (P). In our opinion, this is a factory replaced cylinder and or period replaced cylinder done during the time of service. It could be the original cylinder too, but there is no number. The cylinder color, wear and condition of the rest of the gun perfectly. The cylinder has been with this gun forever. Overall 60% deep blue fading to rich dark chocolate patina on barrel.

There was an article in the Man At Arms by Charles Pate. The backstrap has a number 248 stamped. This is a rack number that is well known for being put on a number of these guns by the San Francisco Police. San Fran police purchased about 300 of these revolvers about the time the San Francisco riots started in the late 1870. The police had realized they were severely ill-prepared and equipped for the civil unrest that had started in 1877. The guns were issued from Benicia Arsenal, which was just north of San Francisco. From 1851, Benicia was the primary US arsenal on the west coast and would be until the mid-1960s. All the revolvers issued to the SFPD from the Arsenal were stamped with large, individual inventory numbers on the backstrap, behind the hammer. There are records of the guns being issued but no records of evidence that they were ever returned. The guns were already falling out of service and most were soon to be sold off as surplus. The US Army probably never made an effort to get the guns back. simply did not put any effort into retrieving the three hundred revolvers.

The mechanics are crisp and tight. Bore is excellent. If the cylinder had the matching serial number this would be a $7000 gun. Fine plus overall and a very handsome gun.

Est. Retail Value: $6000