1875 Schofield 2nd Model

The Smith & Wesson “Schofield” was first introduced in 1875 as a specialized refinement of the original Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolver, driven by Major George Schofield’s desire to create a more efficient cavalry sidearm. While the standard Smith & Wesson Model 3 was already a respected top-break design, Schofield’s modification moved the latch from the barrel to the frame, allowing a mounted soldier to open the revolver and eject spent casings with a single hand while galloping.

Production of the two primary military contracts, known as the First and Second Models, took place between 1875 and 1877, resulting in a relatively small total of approximately 8,960 units manufactured for the U.S. government.

Mechanically, the Schofield is a single-action, six-shot revolver distinguished by its top-break architecture and 7-inch barrel. It was chambered in the proprietary .45 Schofield cartridge, which was slightly shorter than the .45 Colt. This physical difference became a logistical focal point during its military service in the Indian Wars. While the Schofield could not chamber the longer Colt rounds, the Colt revolvers could use the shorter Schofield ammunition, leading the Army to eventually standardize the shorter cartridge for both platforms. 

The Smith & Wesson Schofield is an icon of engineering ingenuity and on the American frontier it gained a reputation for its rapid extraction and reloading capabilities: once the latch on the frame is released and the barrel tipped forward, an internal star extractor automatically clears all six chambers at once. This speed remains its primary pro, offering a tactical advantage over the slow, one-by-one rod ejection of the Colt 1873 Single Action revolvers.