Smith & Wesson Model 3 (Schofield)
Smith & Wesson · Revolver · Out Of Production · 1875
Also known as: Schofield Revolver, Smith & Wesson Schofield, S&W No. 3 Schofield
Overview
The Smith & Wesson Model 3 is a top-break single-action revolver from the cartridge era of the American Old West, most famous in its Schofield configuration. Major George Schofield modified the basic Model 3 with a frame-mounted latch that could be released with the thumb of the firing hand, letting a mounted cavalryman open the action, eject all spent cases simultaneously, and reload one-handed on horseback. The U.S. Army adopted the Schofield in .45 S&W (a shorter, fatter cartridge than the .45 Colt) in 1875.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1135 g (40.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 273 mm (10.75") |
| Barrel Length | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Action Type | Single Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 244 m/s (801 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 444 J (327 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45 Schofield · primary — also known as .45 S&W, .45 Smith & Wesson
- .44 Russian — also known as .44 S&W Russian
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Top Break Action, Automatic Simultaneous Ejection, Single Latch, Six Shot Cylinder, Fixed Sights
Variants
- Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian — Military Contract
- Smith & Wesson Model 3 American — Early Model
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1875 · as Schofield
- Imperial Russian Army · adopted 1871
Conflicts
- American Indian Wars (1875-1890)
Production
Estimated total produced: 8,969 · Production years: 1875-1878
About 8,969 Schofield-pattern revolvers produced; the broader Model 3 family (American, Russian, New Model) ran into the hundreds of thousands
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: George W. Schofield
Discontinued: 1878
Notes
The shorter .45 Schofield cartridge would chamber and fire in Colt Single Action Army revolvers, but the longer .45 Colt would not fit the Schofield's cylinder, creating supply problems that contributed to the Army eventually surplusing the guns.
Background
Surplus Schofield revolvers were bought up and shortened by distributors like Wells Fargo, and outlaws including Jesse James and Frank James are reported to have favored the top-break Schofield for the speed of its simultaneous ejection.