Smith & Wesson No. 3 American Revolver – .44 Caliber

Smith & Wesson No. 3 American Collector's Revolver

Manufacture: 1872–1874 – Caliber: .44 – Fine condition, 8-inch barrel.

In its polished finish, this Smith & Wesson No. 3 American stands as the pioneer of a prestigious line of .44 caliber revolvers that established the American firm's reputation. Praised for its build quality, accuracy, power, and remarkable opening mechanism, it remains one of the most iconic revolvers of the American West and an essential piece for any collector of American firearms.

History

Launched by Smith & Wesson in 1870, the Model No. 3 American was the first in the famous No. 3 series, which left an enduring mark on the history of American handguns. A true technical revolution, it utilized a .44 American centerfire metallic cartridge paired with a "top-break" opening system featuring simultaneous automatic shell extraction. This innovation allowed for extremely rapid reloading, making the Model No. 3 one of the most modern revolvers of its time. This specific unit is a "Second Model American," produced starting in 1872. Between 1870 and 1910, nearly 170,000 No. 3 revolvers—across all variants—left the Smith & Wesson workshops. With fewer than 20,000 units manufactured, the American model is highly sought after by collectors today due to its pivotal role in the evolution of American revolvers and its use during the final years of the American West.

Our Model

With serial number 95XX, this Smith & Wesson No. 3 American Second Model belongs to the very first production run, most likely dating to 1872.The metal components have undergone a high-quality vintage polish while retaining perfectly legible markings—notably the very fine address engraved on the top of the barrel, a detail that is particularly difficult to preserve with this type of finish. The screw heads are in excellent condition, indicating minimal disassembly and careful preservation throughout the firearm's history. The ebony grips are of more recent manufacture, replacing the original ivory ones; they are perfectly fitted and blend harmoniously with the rest of the weapon.

Mechanically, this revolver is in excellent working order. The lock-up is rock-solid. The action is strong, the trigger pull smooth, and the indexing precise; there is no barrel-cylinder gap, and the cylinder exhibits only very slight play consistent with normal use. The 8-inch barrel, chambered in .44 American, features an excellent bore with deep rifling.

With fewer than 20,000 units produced, this Smith & Wesson No. 3 American Second Model remains one of the most prestigious revolvers of the post-Civil War era—a true witness to the winning of the West.