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Smith and Wesson .38 Caliber Safety Third Model Double-Action Revolver, serial no. 83097, with Case

Manufacturer Smith & Wesson American
Decorator Tiffany & Co.
1892–93
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 372
This is one of nine revolvers custom-decorated by Tiffany & Co. for display at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Exhibited as an example of Tiffany's most innovative designs and techniques, it is singular in having a grip sheathed in embossed, chased, etched, and enameled sterling silver. The enamel work on the grip, which is distinguished by subtle, sophisticated tonal gradations, is among the finest ever produced by the firm. Three years earlier, the American commissioners at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889 had noted the novelty of the "artistic blending of colors in the articles of enameled silver" shown by Tiffany's. No other Tiffany-decorated revolvers in this technique are known.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Smith and Wesson .38 Caliber Safety Third Model Double-Action Revolver, serial no. 83097, with Case
  • Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson (American, established 1852)
  • Decorator: Tiffany & Co. (1837–present)
  • Date: 1892–93
  • Geography: Springfield, Massachusetts; New York, New York
  • Culture: American, Springfield, Massachusetts and New York
  • Medium: Steel, silver, enamel, nickel, wood, leather, copper alloy, gold
  • Dimensions: Revolver (a); L. 9 1/16 in. (23 cm); L. of barrel 4 in. (10.2 cm); Cal. .38 in. (9.7 mm); Wt. 1 lb. 6 oz. (628 g); case (b); H. 2 1/16 in. (5.2 cm); W. 10 5/8 in. (27 cm); D. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 8.7 oz. (700.2 g)
  • Classification: Firearms-Pistols-Revolvers
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Bequest, 2013
  • Object Number: 2013.903a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Smith and Wesson .44 Double-Action Revolver for George Jay Gould (1864–1923), serial no. 23402, with Case and Cleaning Brush, Smith & Wesson American, Steel, silver, ivory, wood, paper, textile, leather, gold, copper alloy, iron, silver substitute, fiber, American, Springfield, Massachusetts and New York
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Smith and Wesson .38 Caliber Double-Action Revolver, serial no. 70002, Smith & Wesson American, Steel, nickel, silver, American, Springfield, Massachusetts and New York
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