Fake Schneider & Glassick Revolvers
Fake Schneider & Glassick Revolvers
The Schneider & Glassick replica is a target for counterfeiters for several reasons. First, original revolvers are so rare that there are few that can be studied and compared in order to spot a fake revolver. Counterfeiting original revolvers was one of the greatest fears of collectors with the advent of the replica industry. Colt collectors were the strongest in opposing the production of replica revolvers. This paranoia was so great on the part of a group of these collectors that the National Rifle Association was bullied into refusing any advertising for these revolvers. The counterfeiting of Colt revolvers did not materialize because of the abundance of research material and original guns that were available for study and make comparisons. There were very talented machinist and gunsmiths in the late 1940’s and 1950’s that were producing Paterson and large frame Colt fakes on a one at a time basis, usual on special order by collectors who wanted to fill a vacant spot in their collection. A few of these were so good that they even fooled the Colt experts.
This is not the case with the Italian made Colt replicas. Deliberate changes have been made by manufacturers on their replicas to specifically make them identifiable from an original. One example of this is the absence of cylinder pins on the first Gregorelli & Uberti Colt 1851 Navy replicas. Other changes such as screw threads, grip shape, etc. was incorporated into the replica revolvers in order to make them readily identifiable from the originals.
The Confederate revolvers, however, are a different story. First is the limited number of these revolvers that were produced. Second is the manufacturing methods used in the construction of these revolvers which make them almost individually “one of a kind” firearms. They were hand fitted and assembled so parts from one may not work on another. This makes it easy for a counterfeiter because there are no solid comparisons that can be made between an original and an altered replica. Third, many of the original revolvers did not even have a manufacturer’s name stamped on the revolver. If there was it may not always be in the same location, fonts may differ, and serial numbers may not exist.
This makes the Schneider & Glassick an excellent choice for the counterfeiter. With supposedly only two of the brass frame versions in existence there is little to compare with. A knowledgeable replica collector may be a better judge in helping identify a fake because they are more familiar with the different manufacturers of the replicas, the markings on the gun, proof marks, serial numbers, etc. In examining a possible fake these marks would have to be removed. This is going to leave dips in the metal, reduction in size of certain parts, barrel twist, etc.
Dr. Davis had won two revolvers on a Kull Old Town Station Auction that were advertised as Fakes but that had previously passed for, and were sold on another auction several years earlier, as originals. They were discovered to be counterfeit and were being re-auctioned as such. One that he won was a Schneider & Glassick, serial #2. The font for the “Schneider & Glassick Memphis Tenn” markings on the barrel was correct, the aging appeared accurate, and overall appearance was good. The give away was the location of the deep scratches and dips on the frame and top of barrel. These were in locations where other markings of the replica would have been. The replica markings had been seemingly removed and deep scratches were in these locations to disguise where metal had been removed. On the barrel there was small difference in size where the Schneider & Glassick markings were stamped and the rest of the barrel. There were other indications as well.
The most interesting part of this story is that only one week before this auction, Jason Schubert, Curator of the J. M. Davis Gun Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma called Dr. Davis concerning three revolvers that someone had brought into the museum for evaluation and possible display. One of these revolvers was a Schneider & Glassick. The possibility of uncovering another unknown Schneider & Glassick created a sense of excitement that only another collector can understand. First impulse was that it was an original. The Font used for the name stamp on top of the barrel was accurate and the general wear looked good. It was even missing the wood grips, which added to a sense of originality. Serial number was #4.
After several minutes of fondling, examining, and brain storming some suspensions developed. The other two revolvers brought in with the Schneider & Glassick were a Single Action revolver and a Whitney. There was a letter with the Single Action claiming some historical connection. This was quickly determined to be a fake that could have been produced by anyone. The Whitney was also easily identified as a fake because of the sights. With these two revolvers obviously identified as fakes more attention was then directed toward the Schneider & Glassick. They were able to identify where the proof marks had been removed on the right side of the frame. There was a dip on top of the barrel where a previous marking was removed before stamping the Schneider & Glassick marking. The “house of cards” quickly collapsed and it was determined to be a fake.
The markings on the barrel were still a puzzle. They were very accurate. Dr. Davis was fortunate in that Virginia Edwards entrusted him with all existing research notes left by her late husband, William B. Edwards. Dr. Davis found in these notes a paragraph concerning a fake Schneider & Glassick that he had examined many years ago. It was discovered that a correct Die for the “SCHENIDER & GLASSICK MEMPHIS TENN” markings had been produced and used on the fake. That Die is still out there, location unknown.
When Dr. Davis received the Schneider & Glassick it turned out to be a clone of the one that he had examined at the J. M. Davis Gun Museum two weeks prior. Jason and Dr. Davis made a close examination side by side comparison. Everything was almost identical. The serial numbers were #2 on his and #4 on the museum example. The two original brass Schneider & Glassick revolvers bear the serial #6 & #23. The third original Schneider & Glassick with the steel frame is #12M. It appears that both of these Fake Schneider & Glassick revolvers may have been done by the same person. If a little more care had been taken by the counterfeiter, they could have passed as originals and would require more drastic tests of materials and parts to authenticate them. You be the judge!
Without original specimens of the original revolvers and lack of historical documentation it becomes very difficult to authenticate originality. In the case of these Schneider & Glassick revolvers a well informed replica historian becomes a possible source for making an evaluation. The Confederate made revolvers have become a prime target for counterfeiting because of this, and because the collector interest is increasing rapidly causing prices to appreciate dramatically. Buyer beware!
I recently came into the possession of the fake #2 Schneider & Glassick revolver that at one time belonged to Dr. Davis. The photos in this article ore of that exact revolver. I've discussed this #2 revolver with Jason Schubert, Curator of the J. M. Davis Gun Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, and he is searching through their archives to determine if the original owner of this revolver can be found so we may be able to get more provenance for it.
Bibliography
Edwards, William B. Civil War Guns. Harrisburg , PA : The Stackpole Company. 1962
Edwards, William B. “Unpublished research Notes for Civil War Guns and other publications” Afton , VA
Albaugh, William A. III and Simmons, Edward N. Confederate Arms. Harrisburg , PA : The Stackpole Company. 1957
Albaugh, William A. III , Benet, Hugh and Simmons, Edward N. Confederate Handguns. Philadelphia , PA : Riling and Lentz. 1963
Gary, William A. Confederate Revolvers. Prescott , AZ : K8 Communications. 1987
Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’ Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values. Northfield , ILL : DBI Books. 1998
Fjestad, S. P.,
Blue Book of Gun Values 8th Edition. Minneapolis , MN : Investment Rarities. 1987
Replica Percussion Revolver Collector’s Association. “Confederate Models”
Replica Percussion Revolver Collector's Association. "Schneider & Glassick - The "Accidental " Replica Revolver"
