Smith & Wesson First Model American revolver with S&W and Springfield Research Service (SRS) letters. Both letters identify the revolver as a S&W First Model American with nickel plated finish and state that it was delivered to the Springfield Armory in March 1871. The SRS letter further states that First Model American revolvers were issued to various cavalry units for trial including Co. I, 7th Cavalry Regiment. 200 of the 1,000 U.S. U.S. Contract First Model American revolvers purchased by the Army in 1871 were nickel plated. The revolver had a full nickel plated finish with walnut two-piece oil finished grips. The barrel has a nickel silver half-moon front sight. The frame lacks the oil hole in the bottom of the lug that was found on early production revolvers. The top of the barrel rib is roll stamped "+SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS.U.S.A.PAT.JULY 10. 60. JAN. 17. FEB. 17. JULY 11. 65 &AUG. 24. 69+" flanked by maltese crosses. "US" is stamped on the top of the barrel between the legend and the barrel latch. A small "A" Ordnance sub-inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard. None of the "P" proofmarks stamped on blue U.S. contract revolvers chambered for the S&W .44 American cartridge are present on this revolver. The Ordnance sub-inspection mark which consists of the script initials "OWA" (Orville W. Ainsworth) in a rectangle is stamped on the lower left grip. The serial number "2070" is stamped rear face of the cylinder, the rear face of the barrel next to the cylinder latch, the bottom of the butt and on the inside of the right grip. The assembly number, "X8" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder and on the rear face of the barrel next to the latch. The back of the right grip panel is marked in pencil, "1889/W SAGE [illegible likely NS]/The Mont City/Ohio". A William Newton Sage is mentioned in Charles W. Pate's book SMITH & WESSON AMERICAN MODEL on pages 140, 158, 360 and 361. Sage served with the 137th New York Infantry and achieved the rank of Captain before he was mustered out of volunteer service on June 6, 1863. He was later appointed 2nd Lt. of the 39th U.S. Colored Infantry and was again mustered out of service in December 1865 as a 1st Lt. A few months later Sage was appointed 2nd Lt. and 1st Lt. of the 11th Infantry, transferred to the 29th Infantry in September 1866 and transferred back to the 11th in April 1969. He retired in 1890 with the rank of Captain. According to Pate, a U.S. S&W American Model revolver was sold to Sage in 1873 at Ft. Leavenworth.

Good. The revolver has been cleaned and has a dull steel finish with traces of nickel plating in protected areas. There is some light pitting on the right side and face of the barrel hinge and bottom of the trigger guard. However, most of the metal surfaces are smooth with sharp edges. All of the markings are crisp. The grips have been lightly cleaned and are good. The "OWA" sub-inspection mark on the left grip is faint but legible. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. Overall a rare often missing hole in even to most advanced U.S. military and S&W collections.