Smith and Wesson .44 Double-Action Revolver for George Jay Gould (1864–1923), serial no. 23402, with Case and Cleaning Brush
1888–89
Medium
Steel, silver, ivory, wood, paper, textile, leather, gold, copper alloy, iron, silver substitute, fiber
Dimensions
Revolver (a); L. 10 7/16 in. (26.5 cm); L. of barrel 5 in. (12.7 cm); Cal. .44 in. (11.2 mm); Wt. 2 lb. 8 oz. (1134 g); case (b); H. 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm); W. 12 5/16 in. (31.3 cm); D. 9 13/16 (24.9 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 2 oz. (1867 g); cleaning brush (c); L. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm); Diam. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm); Wt. 0.8 oz. (22 g)
Classification
Firearms-Pistols-Revolvers
Culture
American, Springfield, Massachusetts and New York
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Bequest, 2013
Accession Number
2013.904a–c
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Smith & Wesson . Double-Action Revolver crafted between 1888 and 188, was specially made for George Jay Gould (1864–1923), the son of railroad magnate Jay Gould and prominent figure in America's Gilded Age elite. Produced in Springfield, Massachusetts, by the innovative firearms firm Smith & Wesson in collaboration with New York jeweler Tiffany & Co., exemplifies the era's fusion of industrial precision and opulent artistry. The double-action mechanism allowed firing without cocking the hammer, a technological advancement in handguns, while its custom presentation case, cleaning brush, and luxurious materials—steel, silver, ivory, wood, gold, and more—elevated it to a status symbol for the wealthy. Weighing over two pounds with a 5-inch barrel, the revolver's intricate construction highlights exceptional gunsmithing techniques, likely featuring Tiffany's renowned engraving and embellishments on its silver and ivory components. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department, it reflects American craftsmanship at its peak, blending functionality with decorative splendor. Such pieces were prized by industrial tycoons as both practical tools and displays of refined taste, offering visitors a tangible glimpse into the lavish world of late 19th-century high society.
About the Artist
Smith & Wesson|Tiffany & Co. (American, born Prussia|American) · 1827 |1852 –1895 |9999
American (born Prussia), 1827–1895 Springfield, Massachusetts|American, established 1852