Theodore Roosevelt’s S&W No. 3 Revolver Sells at Auction

Rock Island Auction Company, or RIAC, recently offered up a myriad of historical firearms for auction, including the Smith & Wesson Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver owned by President Theodore Roosevelt, among other famous firearms. The S&W No. 3 revolver sold at the auction for just over $900,000.

According to Kevin Hogan, President of Rock Island Auction Company, “Theodore Roosevelt was one of the most beloved and influential men in American history, and having documentation of the shipment makes this gun something incredibly extraordinary and valuable. This is a crown jewel in fine arms collecting. Not only is it a rare chance to own a presidential firearm, but of a president who embodied the spirit of a nation. You don’t need to look further than Mt. Rushmore to understand his significance.”

The revolver was shipped to then Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt on May 12, 1898, the same day he was set to leave to join the famed Rough Riders. Chambered in .38 Long Colt, which was the service cartridge at the time, the revolver has a distinct combat target rear sight, that together indicates that the revolver was meant to be carried in the war against Spain. But that wasn’t to be as Roosevelt favored the double-action Colt revolver instead.

Quick Specs on Revolver

• Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
• Model: New Model No 3
• Type: Revolver
• Gauge: 38 Long Colt
• Barrel: 6 1/2 inch solid rib
• Finish: Blue
• Grip: Walnut

The Smith & Wesson No. 3 revolver also had documentation with it that shows the line of handling, from the President to James E. Amos, who was the President’s bodyguard and valet. In part because of his close relationship with the President, Amos was given the revolver after his death by Roosevelt’s wife.

Amos had stated previously that “…while president, he often went armed. I have in my home now a large revolver that Mr. Roosevelt placed at the side of his bed every night while in the White House. It was given to me by Mrs. Roosevelt after his death.”

The revolver is rated as being in Exceptionally Fine condition. This means that it has 85% plus of the original blue finish and 80% bright original case colors visible on the hammer, with more subdued colors on the trigger guard. With Amos’s statement of the revolver being a nightstand gun, the wear is very minimal and limited to the muzzle, cylinder, and back strap. The engraving remains mostly unmarred while the grips’ checkered pattern shows only minimal wear from handling.

The S&W No. 3 has been on display by museums previously as well as being featured in magazines. The revolver was purchased at auction for $910,625 and is truly a national treasure.