Smith & Wesson Schofield, USA 1875

Description of the Product

The Smith & Wesson Model 3 is a single-action, cartridge-firing, top-break revolver produced by Smith & Wesson from circa 1870 to 1915. Like most classics it was produced in several variations, including the "Russian Model", and the "Schofield" model.

The U.S. Army adopted the original .44 caliber Model 3 revolver in 1870, making it the first standard-issue cartridge-firing revolver in US service. Most pistols until then had been black powder cap and ball revolvers, which were slow, complicated, and susceptible to the weather. In 1875, the US Ordnance Board granted Smith & Wesson a contract for improved Model 3 revolvers. This new model was named after Major George W. Schofield, who had improved the design. The man in charge of the commissioning was his famous brother Major General J.M. Schofield. The requirement was, that the Schofield be modified to fire the .45 Colt cartridges which the military already used. Smith & Wesson instead developed their own, slightly shorter .45 caliber round. Unfortunately the cartridge only worked in the Schofield, whereas both cartridges worked in the Colt. Old stocks of the .45 Colt rounds caused the Army to drop most of the Schofields and continue with the Colts instead.

Many Schofields were issued to active units, including the 4th Cavalry which was involved in the Geronimo campaign, as well as the 9th and 10th, the famous "Buffalo Soliders," African-American troops.  These revolvers saw use on the American frontier until approximately 1890, being used in the Indian Wars, including campaigns against the Apaches, and served in civil disturbances such as the Lincoln County War. After the annihilation of Custer and his men at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, there was speculation that the outcome might have been different had the troops been armed with the fast loading Schofields instead of slow reloading 'Peacemakers.'

There are reports of the Schofields in use as late as and the Spanish civil war.

Like other Smith & Wesson models, they were also popular with both lawmen and outlaws in the American West, used by such household names as Jesse James, Theodore Roosevelt,  Billy the Kid, and many others. The Smith & Wesson No. 3 revolver was famously used by Wyatt Earp during the OK Corral Gunfight.  Schofield himself ended his life with his own revolver after suffering a bout of mental illness. The Schofield has long been a Hollywood favorite. It has appeared in numerous TV westerns and movies, including Clint Eastwood's "The Unforgiven.”

• This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size and weight, and the mechanisms of the weapon are working. The weapon can be cocked and dry fired like a real one. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods.
• Cast metal has been used to make this replica weapon. The handle plates are genuine wood. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire bullets, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means.
• Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public.
• A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration.
• Length: 36 cm
• Weight: 1120 g
• Manufacturer: Denix, Spain

Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland.   –More information about international shipping-