Would You Schofield?

[Mosin77]

I have handled a couple of these, but never owned one. They’re gorgeous guns, with beautiful lines. I am pretty sure @CraigC ’s blued example with the Mother-of-Pearl stocks and engraving is probably in the top 5 handguns I’ve ever seen photographed. To me, that’s reason enough to own one, if you can swing it.

 

[Monac]

I'd love a .38.
Always preferred these to the SAA.

I keep looking at them in 38 Special on GunBroker too, but between the price and the fact that I probably can't see the sights, I never buy one. The price on GB is usually around $1,200-$1,300 for a new one, so the OP's price is about right, and he'd save shipping and the transfer fee if it's in a local store. I like them better than a Colt SAA too, but I don't know if the grip shape is as good. Lots of people like the SAA grip, but I don't hear that about the Schofield. That may just be because there are far fewer of them out there, of course.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I keep looking at them in 38 Special on GunBroker too, but between the price and the fact that I probably can't see the sights, I never buy one. The price on GB is usually around $1,200-$1,300 for a new one, so the OP's price is about right, and he'd save shipping and the transfer fee if it's in a local store. I like them better than a Colt SAA too, but I don't know if the grip shape is as good. Lots of people like the SAA grip, but I don't hear that about the Schofield. That may just be because there are far fewer of them out there, of course.

The grip shape of all the #3 Top Break S&W revolvers is considerably different than a Colt Single Action grip. Here is how I grip a Colt. Notice I do not try to cram my entire hand onto the grip, but instead curl my pinky under the grip. This opens up a space of about 1/4" between the trigger guard and the knuckle of my middle finger, which prevents the trigger guard from whacking my knuckle during recoil. Notice I can easily reach up with my thumb to cock the hammer.

The grip of a Schofield is very round. This allows the grip to rotate in the hand during recoil, similar to a Colt. However ALL the #3 Top Breaks have a longer reach to the hammer spur than a Colt. Notice how my thumb does not quite reach the hammer spur. I have to regrip to reach the hammer spur, then after the hammer is cocked I regrip again to get my hand where I want it.

The Russian model has a large, pointed, hump at the top of the grip. The Russians specified this feature to prevent the revolver from rotating during recoil. It does a very good job of this. Notice however, in order to reach the hammer spur with my thumb I have regripped, raising my hand up a bit. Notice too that the pointy hump is in contact with the palm of my hand. If I fire the revolver holding it like this, the pointy hump will dig into my palm and it will hurt. Even with a moderately light recoiling round such as 44 Russian. Trust me on this. So before I pull the trigger I have to remember to regrip again in order to lower my hand on the grip so I my palm does not get whacked. For this reason I discourage shooters from buying the Russian model.

In my humble opinion the best of the S&W #3 revolvers was the New Model Number Three. This model had a reduced hump on the grip, the grip shape not much different than a modern S&W double action revolver. Notice I have again shifted my grip to allow my thumb to reach the hammer spur.

I will then regrip again, with my pinky curled under the grip, for the shot. Notice there is plenty of space between the knuckle of my middle finger, so the trigger guard will not wack my palm during recoil.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I need just 1 Schofeild in my collection to say I have one … UGHHHHH! really wanted a 4 5/8 SAA in 45 and 38

 

[Mark_Mark]

Crazy Question. What does a original #3 run these days?

 

[InTheSwamp]

Crazy Question. What does a original #3 run these days?

Here, ... You'd be Mortimer

https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/products/1975-smith-wesson-new-model-number-3-with-shoulder-stock-ah5582.html

 

[Mark_Mark]

Here, ... You'd be Mortimer

https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/products/1975-smith-wesson-new-model-number-3-with-shoulder-stock-ah5582.html

Reproductive it is!

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I need just 1 Schofeild in my collection to say I have one … UGHHHHH! really wanted a 4 5/8 SAA in 45 and 38

I came across this nickel plated Smith and Wesson Top Break revolver in a local shop about twenty years ago. I asked how much for the Schofield? The shop owner corrected me, saying that is not a Schofield,, it is a New Model Number Three.

Notice how radically different the shape of the New Model Number Three is from a Schofield. Also, notice the distinctive serpentine shape of the barrel latch.

A few years ago Roy Jinks wrote that when the movie 3:10 to Yuma came out in 2007, suddenly folks thought that every Top Break #3 Smith and Wesson was a Schofield. Hence my mistake.

There were FIVE separate large, #3 sized Top Break revolvers that Smith and Wesson made at the middle and end of the 19th Century.

I have already posted photos of the New Model Number Three and the Schofield models.

This is the Russian model, specifically a 2nd Model Russian. Notice the big, pointy hump on the grip that I mentioned in an earlier post. Notice too the spur on the bottom of the trigger guard, although it was sometimes sawed off. And a few New Model Number Threes had the spur on the trigger guard. The identifying feature is the big hump on the grip.

The first of the S&W Top Breaks was the American Model. This is actually a 1st Model Russian, but it is identical in shape to the American Model. The only difference is this one is chambered for 44 Russian, instead of the original 44 Smith & Wesson cartridge with the heeled bullet. Notice how straight up and down the grip is.

Finally, there was the 44 Double Action, the only double action #3 Top Break S&W made.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Crazy Question. What does a original #3 run these days?

As I said, there were 5 different models of the #3. The American Model, the Russian Model, the Schofield, the New Model Number Three, and the 44 Double Action. Schofields are quite expensive. Not so with the other models.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Registered Magnum Prices! WOW

 

[InTheSwamp]

Settle down and keep Ubering, Mark

 

[Mark_Mark]

Settle down and keep Ubering, Mark

$44 a ride to the Airport, $19,000 = 420 rides!

busy season is 2-4 Airport rides in the morning, 2-4 hours of work = 20 weeks of work! OUCH

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

What you do not realize is that the Schofield is a relatively rare revolver. They were only made from 1875 until 1877, and less than 9,000 were made. So of course they command premium prices.

The New Model Number Three , on the other hand was cataloged from 1878 until 1908, and over 47,000 of them were made.

In my not so humble opinion, the NM#3 is a better revolver, and they are not as expensive.

I found this one at a local gunshow a few years ago and paid $1,600 for it. Chambered for 44 Russian, the most common chambering of this model.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Time to pull out my S&W Standard book for sone reading on Schofield & #3’s

 

[Oninotaki]

I would, but only if I could be gross about it. By that I mean if I could get it cut for moon clips, and hack the barrel way down to just 3" or so, and then get some sort of modern carry grips made up for it.

A top break, moon clips taking, pocket carry 45 colt with modern grip ergonomics would be very tempting indeed. At that point it's probably a $2k monstrosity with no resale or sporting value however. So you know if I could be gross about it

 

[Oninotaki]

Well I will be darned, looks like they already make it with a 3.5" barrel. https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/model-no-3-schofield-45-lc-3-1-2-in.html

 

[WestKentucky]

They feel odd to me. I have a BB gun version which is lightweight and balances well but the real deal feels front heavy and a bit awkward. I would buy one if I had that kind of disposable cash but I would not buy one expecting it to be anything more than a range toy.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I would, but only if I could be gross about it. By that I mean if I could get it cut for moon clips, and hack the barrel way down to just 3" or so, and then get some sort of modern carry grips made up for it.

A top break, moon clips taking, pocket carry 45 colt with modern grip ergonomics would be very tempting indeed. At that point it's probably a $2k monstrosity with no resale or sporting value however. So you know if I could be gross about it

you are describing a #3 44-40 i seen at my local honey hole shop. Chopped down to 3”, shiny black blueing, engraved scroll work… jeweled screw head! it was NICE to me but puke to others! $850! I should have bought it

 

[Mark_Mark]

They feel odd to me. I have a BB gun version which is lightweight and balances well but the real deal feels front heavy and a bit awkward. I would buy one if I had that kind of disposable cash but I would not buy one expecting it to be anything more than a range toy.

Sounds like a good idea! probably get a Register Magnum BB gun too!

 

[WestKentucky]

Sounds like a good idea! probably get a Register Magnum BB gun too!

I think that Barra (brand of my Schofield) has some really slick historical models, some of
Which are pretty realistic recreations in airgun form, but some are just flat awful and are similar in visual cues from a distance when backlit by the sun on a bluebird sky day. My Barra Schofield was worth the $100.

 

[CraigC]

I got one of the Colt/Umarex air pistols. I like that the length of the CO2 cartridge necessitated an 1860 grip frame.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Always wanted one, and finally bit the bullet some years ago. Mine shoots straight, and has a decent trigger.
Did notice a decrease in velocity, between the Schofield and an Uberti SAA clone. It gave up about 100'sec to a SAA, albeit with a shorter barrel.
A buddy just got a nickel one, which is dead flat gorgeous, though the finish on mine is really beautiful. Mine has been lightly shot, though it appears the CAS guys shoot them a lot.
Top breaks are just really cool, and doubly impressive when you think the originals were built with 19th Century technology.
Mark, get it; it's only money.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Always wanted one, and finally bit the bullet some years ago. Mine shoots straight, and has a decent trigger.
Did notice a decrease in velocity, between the Schofield and an Uberti SAA clone. It gave up about 100'sec to a SAA, albeit with a shorter barrel.
A buddy just got a nickel one, which is dead flat gorgeous, though the finish on mine is really beautiful. Mine has been lightly shot, though it appears the CAS guys shoot them a lot.
Top breaks are just really cool, and doubly impressive when you think the originals were built with 19th Century technology.
Mark, get it; it's only money.

I really want one!

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

you are describing a #3 44-40 i seen at my local honey hole shop. Chopped down to 3”, shiny black blueing, engraved scroll work… jeweled screw head! it was NICE to me but puke to others! $850! I should have bought it

If you are talking about a single action, what you are describing is the New Model Number Three Frontier model. The only single action Top Break Smith and Wesson made chambered for 44-40. In order to chamber it for this round, it had a cylinder 1 9/16" long. Quite rare, there were only 2072 made. About 786 were converted to 44 Russian and shipped to Japan. So let's see, my calculator says 1286 were left chambered for 44-40. I don't mean to rub your nose in it, and I have no idea what they are currently going for, but $850 was probably a steal. Even rarer is the New Model Number Three 38 Winchester, chambered for 38-40, only 74 were made. If double action, 15,340 44 Double Action Frontiers (44-40) were made. Note, S&W followed Colt's example calling their 44-40 models "Frontier". In Colt speak, the name Frontier Six Shooter was reserved for Single Action Army revolvers chambered for 44-40.

 

[Mark_Mark]

If you are talking about a single action, what you are describing is the New Model Number Three Frontier model. The only single action Top Break Smith and Wesson made chambered for 44-40. In order to chamber it for this round, it had a cylinder 1 9/16" long. Quite rare, there were only 2072 made. About 786 were converted to 44 Russian and shipped to Japan. So let's see, my calculator says 1286 were left chambered for 44-40. I don't mean to rub your nose in it, and I have no idea what they are currently going for, but $850 was probably a steal. Even rarer is the New Model Number Three 38 Winchester, chambered for 38-40, only 74 were made. If double action, 15,340 44 Double Action Frontiers (44-40) were made. Note, S&W followed Colt's example calling their 44-40 models "Frontier". In Colt speak, the name Frontier Six Shooter was reserved for Single Action Army revolvers chambered for 44-40.

my bad… Uberti made