Need help to identify

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arctic2

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Might as well start with a Hello,

Just acquired this piece and having trouble determining if it is a Model one or two. Caliber? SN range is 35xx. Spent hour's looking and reading, guess it's time to ask the expert's. Any help would be appreciated. 8" barrel. I measured the cylinder it was 1.450 in. No notch in the hammer.

Thank's
 

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That's pretty cool. Does it need a new home? More detailed photos would be helpful. Welcome to the forum. Kyle
 
Welcome to the forum. Let me post a tentative opinion.

I think that is a New Model No. Three First Model. The serial number seems too low to be a Second Model. The caliber would be, I think, .44 American. But the company made several varieties of large-frame top-break revolvers in a number of different calibers, and I do not consider myself well informed about this group. I hope a better student of these guns will step up to comment.

Can you show photos of the other side and close-ups of any stampings on the gun?
 
On top of the barrel it read's , Smith&Wesson Springfield Mass.U.S.A. Pat. July 10, 60, Jan 17. Feb 17. July11 65 & Aug. 24. 69.
I'll try to get better pic's, but camera is not that good.
Don't think I can let it go yet. It's the first time my wife has taken an interest in any of my gun's. Might have to wrestle for it.
Got the other side of gun pic up.
 
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Pretty sure that is a Model No. 3, First Model. aka as a 1st Model American. With that serial No. it probably doesn't have the oil hole in the bottom of the ejector housing. (But never say never when it comes to S&W) One clue that it is a 1st Model is the smaller trigger pin.
Definitely worth the $50 to get a letter.
 
I'm feeling better about the Model No. Three, First Model identification.

The hinge screw (or whatever you call it) looks like a replacement. The original screw had a little pocket on one side so a smaller "bug screw" could be put in beside it to lock the main screw in position.
 
As said above, the gun is a first Model American, aka Old Model No. 3. Caliber is probably .44 S&W American centerfire. If the chambers are bored straight through, it's .44 American caliber, if you see a ridge about 1/2 way down, it's .44 S&W Russian caliber, however the gun is pretty early to be in .44 Russian caliber. The hammer isn't cocked, so I can't tell if it's a rimfire, which would make it a very rare gun. If it's rimfire, then the caliber is .44 Henry. If the gun is original the assembly codes stamped on the barrel, cylinder and frame will match. They are usually 2 or 3 digits or letters. Look on the rear of the cylinder, rear of the barrel below the breech and under the left grip. The only place the serial number appears on this model is on the bottom of the butt and on the back side of the right grip panel. The gun appears to show honest wear and use but not too much abuse, so listen carefully, should it decide to talk! It was probably shipped to M.W.Robinson in the early 1870s, but only a factory letter will tell for sure. Ed
 
I was just looking and there is a single letter and one number on the back of the cylinder, under/bottom side of the latch and on the right rear bottom corner of the grip. All match. There is a hole above and in front of the trigger that look's like it is missing a spring and maybe a plunger to activate the extractor. Can these part's be found. Not sure exactly what is missing.

Thank's for all the help. This is all new to me.

Larry

Chamber's are bored smooth all the way through.
 
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Those missing parts will not be easy to find, unless you can locate a junker gun somewhere to rob of it's parts. Having them made is very expensive but can be done. Try David Chicoine for a parts & repair quote. I don't have David's web addres handy , so Google the name for his web page. Ed.
 
Will do. Thank's for all the help. You guy's are great. Hope to come back with good news.
 
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