Hi Guys, Its been a while. This week I got a New Model 3 top break. Its in fair-good condition. sn is 239xx. The barrel is 5" and likely shortened (rib goes flush to end, and has an elongated sight made of brass but with a almost but not quite matching number stamped on it) The sight is well and correctly installed. The cal. is .44- something. It isnt 44-40 (cylinder too short) probably .44 Russian? Two questions: Date of birth, and top of rib address.
In David Chicoine's excellent book, S&W Six Guns of the Old West, Page 89, there is a list of Model No.3 Barrel patent markings. Mine matches none of them. The left third of the two lines is hard to read particularly on the lower line. Mine reads:
(line 1)
SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. USA PAT'D JAN 17&24 65 JULY 11 65
(line 2)
.......(unreadable)...Dec 18. 1877. REISSUE July 25 1871

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Ive never had any luck downloading pictures to this site. My wife believes its caused by focal stupidity. Thanks Johnny