This firearm is from the famed, John Fox collection in Montana, a SMITH & WESSON RARITY: Great Falls, Montana shipped .38-40 DOUBLE ACTION FRONTIER REVOLVER WITH 6 1/2" BARREL, SERIAL NUMBER 53, ONLY 276 MADE AND NUMBERED IN THEIR OWN SERIES WITH SERIAL NUMBERS FROM 1-276, MADE FROM 1900-1910! Complete with Smith & Wesson factory historical letter. (Note: Although cataloged into the twentiety century, all frames were manufactured prior to 1899, making this gun an antique). Of the very few of these we've heard of coming to market over the years, all have been in hard used condition. This makes sense as anyone wanting a .38-40 revolver was probably spending a lot of time in the outdoors (ranching most likely) and pairing it with a Winchester or Marlin saddle rifle. This special model was offered in barrel lengths of 4", 5" , 6" and 6 1/2" lengths. This 6 1/2" long barrel example is a factory blue finished revolver that is in wonderful uncleaned condition and has an un-spoiled aged patina. The barrel markings on the top of the barrel are distinct and the correct and original "38 Winchester Ctg." marking on the left side of the barrel is similarly clear. The serial numbers on the barrel, frame, barrel latch and cylinder match. Mechanics are fine and the grips fit perfectly and show normal wear, but no chipping or cracks. There is a five pointed star by the serial number on the butt that is explained in the factory letter which states: "This model was introduced in 1900 and sold until 1910 with a total production of 276... We have researched your Smith & Wesson .38 Winchester Double Action, caliber .38 Winchester (38/40) in company records which indicate that your handgun with serial number 53, was shipped from our factory on December 20, 1902, and delivered to Great Falls Hardware Co., Great Falls, MT. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 6.5 inch barrel, blue finish. The star following the butt means the revolver has been returned to Smith & Wesson for repairs or refinishing." Obviously this big revolver may have been repaired, but it was never refinished. The condition and shipping destination indicates it was a working holster-gun and carried many miles. The .38-40 was a popular caliber here in Montana and this rare S&W certainly has a great deal of history and intrigue in it! When you consider that these revolvers were made in four barrel lengths and two finishes (nickel and blue), the number of 6 1/2" blue examples would be very small. This is unquestionably one of the rarest Smith and Wesson revolvers ever offered, and is frequently considered too rare to put a general value on as few have survived to the present time, and rarely are they offered for sale. This is a very respectable example of a specific S&W revolver model that even the most advanced Smith & Wesson collections lack. Even the most referred to S&W books with price guides cannot list a value for this model. Montana had a very small population in 1902 when this revolver was delivered to Great Falls, and any verified Montana shipped firearm is extremely rare. Those known to be shipped to Western locations have increased value over those shipped to any of the usual large Smith & Wesson distributors located in the East or Midwest. On many levels this is a rare prize. Provenance, the late John Fox estate collection, Stevensville, Montana. The revolver weighs 2lbs 4oz. Serial Number: 53. This firearm qualifies as an antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.*