Offered here is a period engraved early production S&W .44 Double Action Frontier revolver with the name "H.S. Sherard" engraved on the back strap. Period publications mention H.S. Sherard as a mining engineer and as a manager of the Gilt Edge Mine in Montana, circa 1893. The Gilt Edge Mine was a cyanide gold mine located in Fergus County, Montana, that opened in 1883. The mine and adjacent town prospered until 1912. About 100,000 ounces of gold were removed from the earth by the time the mine closed in 1991. The revolver certainly has the look of a working gun carried at the hip for protection and as a status symbol for a Montana gold mine manager in the late 19th century. The revolver is decorated in an extensive deeply carved period scroll engraving on a punch dot background. The barrel rib has the two-line S&W address/patent dates marking. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, barrel latch, and barrel. The revolver is pictured in Michael Kennelly's "Smith & Wesson Engraving" on page 108 and Jesse Hardin's "Old Guns and Whispering Ghosts" on page 134. Provenance: The Supica Collection

Very good displaying authentic working gun character with traces of original nickel plating in the sheltered areas, otherwise a classic smooth gray patina associated with spending a lifetime in a harsh environment like Montana. The engraving is crisp. The slightly undersized grips are fine with some handling marks and highly attractive grain and color. Mechanically excellent. A New York engraved S&W .44 Double Action Frontier revolver linked to a Montana gold mine that will add dimension to any S&W or Western collection.