Frontiersman’s or Scout’s S&W No. 3 First Model Holster

Frontiersman’s or Scout’s S&W No. 3 First Model Holster. A rare holster intended for the S&W No. 3 First Model revover, and I believe was made for one of the 1000 purchased by the U.S. Army for trails in 1866, along with the Colt Richards Conversions, and the Remington Breechloading Single Shot Pistol.  The revolver fits into this holster perfectly.

This is the second one of these I have owned, and after I had sold it some time ago, it was pursued by several serious collectors to acquire it, enough though it had been sold.

The neat aspect about his holster is the complete reversing for exterior to interior. This is why I am assuming the unfinished surface of the interior was greatly favored by its user. The original black bridle leather in fine condition may have given off some unwanted sheen that may have given up a scout’s position while observing an enemy, etc.  All the stitching is period, and the belt loop, also reversed has been re-riveted, and showing a good deal of wear on the top fold. The outside leather show equally as much wear.

Like many other arms used by the military, and when replaced by newer patterns, the older models would have been issued out to scouts, teamsters, or later sold off at auction, or just walked away with a soldier or someone else for their personal need.

A very rare holster, and If it could only talk.