Scarce Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 3 2nd Model Russian Single Action Revolver. in Fairfield, ME

SN 32964. Cal. 44 Russian. Beautiful Nimschke engraved Russian Model with silver finish, 7" keyhole bbl, pinned half moon front sight & fixed rear sight in bbl latch. Bbl address ends with "RUSSIAN MODEL". Trigger guard has the distinctive finger rest hook and it is mounted with smooth 2-pc pearl grips. Revolver is beautifully engraved by L.D. Nimschke with extensive coverage foliate arabesque patterns on rear half of frame, border patterns below cyl opening and a large spider web rosette around each side of hinge pin. Engraving extends up sides of bbl with Mr. Nimschke's border patterns on each side of ejector housing and feather patterns on each side of bbl. Top strap is engraved with a spider web pattern around the latch opening and with sunbursts on each end of the address. Top of back strap is engraved to match with geometric patterns down the back strap. Cyl is matching engraved on lands between the flutes. Right side of heel, under the grip, is marked with assembly number "86" which number is also found on rear face of cyl, on bbl & bbl latch. Butt strap has a factory lanyard loop. Accompanied by a Smith & Wesson factory letter which identifies this revolver as having been shipped November. 5, 1874 to M.W. Robinson, New York, NY in a shipment of 60 units. It is apparent that M.W. Robinson commissioned the engraving & plating and supplied the grips. This revolver was from a series of 2,000 commercial arms numbered in the 32,[removed phone],000 range. CONDITION