Shortly after, the Army also began to use the Colt SAA around 1873. In 1875, S&W got a contract to outfit the U.S. military with new and improved Model 3 Schofield revolvers, with the caveat that the ...

People know about the Smith & Wesson Schofield revolver, even if it’s only from watching Unforgiven. Officially known as the S&W Model 3, it’s one of the important revolvers of the Old West.