Excellent Nickel Finished Smith & Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifle with Shoulder Stock

Manufactured from 1879 to 1887, the Smith & Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifle is one of the rarest firearms produced by the company, with a total production of just 977 examples. Built on the frame, cylinder, and basic action of the New Model No. 3 revolver, the Model 320 featured minor modifications to the hammer and trigger and a two-piece barrel design. The butt is slotted and the back strap drilled to accommodate the tang-style shoulder stock.

This example is fitted with an 18-inch barrel, one of 514 produced in that length, and is nickel-plated—an especially rare finish with only about 85–90 rifles finished in nickel instead of the standard blue. Factory records indicate it was shipped on May 10, 1892, to Hartley & Graham of New York City, though the shipping record does not note the finish.

The barrel carries a blade front sight, two-leaf “V” notch rear sight, and the two-line address/patent legend. Matching serial numbers are present on the butt, cylinder, barrel latch, and barrel. The rifle is equipped with a checkered hard rubber red-mottled forearm with the S&W monogram on the underside. The grips are matching, also bearing the S&W monogram at the top. The smooth walnut tang-style stock features nickel-finished attaching iron and a checkered black hard rubber buttplate with the S&W monogram. This rifle is not tapped for a tang sight.