Schofield Patent Revolver - In the late 1860's the U.S. Army was shopping for a breech loading fixed cartridge revolver to replace the aging 1860 Colt Army percussion revolvers. They tested the Colt single action and the S&W Model No. 3 American. The test resulted in the adoption of the Colt single action Army Model of 1873 and passing on the less powerful and more delicate 1869 S&W Model No. 3 American. Because the superior loading/reloading capability of the S&W American was recognized by Army ordnance, in 1875 Major George W. Schofield identified and Patented improvements in the design of the S&W Model No. 3 American and the Schofield Patent Revolver (Model No. 3 Schofield) was born. The S&W Model No. 3 Schofield was greatly improved over the Model No. 3 American.