S&W zero prefix serial numbered guns, such as this revolver, were referred to as "Club Guns" as many were shipped to clubs for shooting prizes and to notable shooters and S&W company personnel. S&W factory records will show this revolver was shipped on November 6, 1899 to famed marksman Walter Winans, as one of six in the shipment. A copy of the applicable page from the Club Gun record book of Doug Hellstrom, S&W vice president for sales in the mid-late 1960s and son of longtime company president C.R. Hellstrom, is included. Its show serial number 022 as one of a group of six 6 1/2 inch revolvers built for Walter Winans on August 4, 1899. Serial numbers 021, 024 and 025 are currently known in collections as of this writing. All are New Model No. 3 Target Revolvers in the several British .45 caliber ranges. The New Model No. 3 was the first revolver offered by S&W with factory target sights. Generally encountered in .44 S&W Russian, .32-44 and .38-44, this example is now chambered for an unknown .45 caliber (definitely not .45 Colt); having been bored out from its original .455 chambering, widely used in the British Empire. It has target sights, British proofs, one-line rib address, and matching serial numbers on the butt, right grip panel (in pencil), cylinder, barrel and barrel latch. The bottom of the left grip panel is stamped with the initials "WLJ." Walter Winans (1852-1920) participated in the 1908 and 1912 Summer Olympics and won a total of two Olympic shooting medals: a Gold in 1908 and a Silver in 1912. He authored ten books including "The Art of Revolver Shooting," "Practical Rifle Shooting" and "Automatic Pistol Shooting." Apart from his shooting successes, Winans was a noted horse breeder and sculptor who exhibited his art 14 times at the British Royal Academy and won an Olympic Gold Medal in the Arts Competition in 1912 for his statuette "An American Trotter." He is the only American to win medals in both art and sport at the Olympics. His Olympic career was not without controversy. At the 1908 Olympics, Winans' eligibility as an American competitor was questioned because he had never set foot in the United States. Winans was born to American parents in St. Petersburg, Russia where he lived for the first 18 years of his life. Before taking up residence in England, Winans took the oath of allegiance at the U.S. Embassy. He did not visit the U.S. until he was 58 years old. To compete at the Olympic Games, Winans was required to swear his allegiance to the U.S. Consul General. One of the most famous and highly esteemed handgun shooters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Fine, retaining 70% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. 40% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are good with moderate handling marks and worn checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.