My dad has this Smith & Wesson that looks to be a double action 3rd model in 320 caliber. No serial number, but it has the number "3" written on the inside of both grips. I have attached photos of the gun. Let me know if more information or additional pictures are needed. I would be interested if anyone could help me further identify this gun and it's approximate value.
Welcome to the Forum. Belgium copied many models of revolvers and shotguns. Of course most were patent infringements, but apparently it was difficult to prosecute across the ocean in the late 1800s. Many companies in Belgium made these copies in various levels of quality. Some were quite poor quality and were poor copies, but some looked almost identical to the guns they were copying and of high quality.
320 is a caliber listing used in Europe but basically 32 caliber similar to 32 Short Colt and 32 S&W. These cartridges will fit some 320 models from Belgium since quality control was poor. There was a popular model called a Bulldog made in this caliber. I think they started out in England in the 1870s, made by companies like Webley and others. Fiocchi still makes and sells the 320 Corto round.
If it is a Belgium copy, it should have an oval with the letters ELG stamped on the rear of the cylinder or maybe under the stocks. There were some other countries in Europe that also made patent infringement copies as well.
Good call! It has the oval with ELG in it on the back of the cylinder. Thank you so much for taking the time to identify this for me. I appreciate your expertise.
I can not see clearly enough to tell of the Stocks are "S&W", but, if they are, then someone had put them on some time along the way, and the original Stocks would have been a little different in surface treatment and not had an S & W Logo.
I can not see clearly enough to tell of the Stocks are "S&W", but, if they are, then someone had put them on some time along the way, and the original Stocks would have been a little different in surface treatment and not had an S & W Logo.
Those are S&W stocks, but unknown if original or replica set. There is no lower positioning hole, so maybe filled when the stocks were adapted to fit the revolver. Wood screws have been installed to keep them in place. Cannot make out whether the inside of the right stock has remnants of a serial number or not?
DA 3rd model in 320 caliber
Linear Mode
