Both of these revolvers were manufactured prior to 1899, and together they represent an outstanding and attractive, special ordered pair of Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 revolvers which, despite not being in the serial number range of the target variation, appear to have been ordered with competitive shooting in mind. The popularity of target shooting and competitive shooting was at it pinnacle right around the time these revolvers were manufactured, and the New Model No.3 had been promoted heavily by one of America's greatest pistol shooters, Walter W. Winans. The lid of the case for this pair of revolvers is embossed "WALTON FERGUSON, JR.", who was a wealthy resident of New York and Connecticut. Walton Ferguson Sr. had been a partner in the H.C. Frick Coke Co., which later went on to merge with Carnegie Steel, Federal Steel, and National Steel to form the industrial powerhouse, United States Steel Corporation, a merger that was brokered by J. P. Morgan. It appears that due to his father's financial success, Walton Ferguson Jr. was perfectly poised to pursue various hobbies and sporting activities in his younger life, which included yacht racing and most notably dog showing and breeding. Ferguson is noted regularly in period newspapers as one of the leading breeders and showers of English Springer Spaniels and was president of the Westminster Kennel Club during his life. He is also noted as one of the wealthy yachtsman who competed in 1907 at Moosehead Lake for the "Kineo Cup" and was thus likely a founding member of the Moosehead Lake Yacht Club. Ferguson, as well as his father, are also noted as members of the exclusive and elite Jekyll Island Club, which was located on Georgia's Atlantic coast. No mention of Ferguson as a competition shooter was found, though it was likely a hobby or recreational activity he enjoyed given his other pastimes. This incredible pair of revolvers appear to have both been special ordered, probably by Ferguson himself. As stated previously, the pair do not fall within the separate serial number range of the New Model No. 3 Target revolvers but were ordered in a very similar configuration with "target" sights. Both are marked with the standard one-line Smith & Wesson address on top of the barrel ribs, which are flanked by Maltese crosses. The right sides of the frames are marked with the Smith & Wesson trademark. Both revolvers have their respective matching serial numbers on the butts, rear faces of the cylinders, and cylinder latches. Revolver number 32596 is fitted with a pinned, all steel, beaded blade front sight and the target pattern adjustable notch rear sight. Revolver number 33282 is fitted with a pinned, white beaded blade front sight and the target pattern adjustable notch rear sight. The serial numbers and front sights are the only visual differences between the two. Both of the revolvers are also fitted with a pair of smooth pearl grips, with the left panels on each having a S&W monogram medallion. The two are cased together in an attractive, leather wrapped case with Ferguson's name on the lid filled with gold. The interior is fitted for both revolvers and lined with tan/yellow velvet with a J.B. Crook & Co., Guns & Pistols, 1180 Broadway, N.Y., retailer mark on the lining of the lid, also filled with gold. This cased pair are certainly a fitting pair of recreational target shooting revolvers for a man of Ferguson's wealth and social standing!

Manufactured prior to 1899. See description for "A". Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection