Need help identifying

ngf74 · #1 02-18-2011, 07:16 PM

My grandfather gave me a gun and I am looking for a little help identifying what it is exactly. Thanks for any help, sorry I am a newb on this age of a weapon. There is a 270 on the butt of the hanle and a "P" Near the hammer release there is a 270 as well. I had other pics but they didn't upload well.
<a href="http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/ngf74/?action=view&current=DSC_0067.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/ngf74/DSC_0067.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><a href="http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/ngf74/?action=view&current=DSC_0062.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/ngf74/DSC_0062.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

BigG-n-Tn · #2 02-18-2011, 07:27 PM

I could only get two of the links to work after some fanagling. No help here other than to say that is a VERY nice pistol.

s&wchad · #3 02-18-2011, 08:41 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Here's two of your photos. The experts will be along shortly, but it looks like a 3rd Model Russian to me. I would expect the trigger and hammer to be color case hardened.

opoefc · #4 02-18-2011, 10:06 PM

Welcome to the forum Nice family heirloom gun! If it's a Smith & Wesson, and not a foreign copy, it's a 3rd model Russian that has been New York engraved & refinished. What does it say on top of the barrel rib? If it's a Smith & Wesson, it should have the word 'REISSUE" at th end of the barrel stamping, if the stamping is in English, or it will have the barrel rib stamping in cryllic ( Russian). The butt serial number, 270, should also be on the back of the cylinder and on the bottom of the barrel latch. Copies of this type S&W revolver were made in Germany and Russia. Ed.

ngf74 · #5 02-18-2011, 10:48 PM

The barrel has "Smith and wesson springfeild Mass. U.S.A. PAT. JAN17&24.65.July11.65. AUG.24.69 Jan19,1865,Reissue July 25, 1871" I would post the pic but I seem to be doing something wrong. There is also an arrow on the hinge of the gun too. Thanks for the replies.

ngf74 · #6 02-18-2011, 11:10 PM

Ok, got the pics working.

lebomm · #7 02-18-2011, 11:42 PM

Another welcome to the forum !
Congratulations on your inheritance of that fine-looking 3rd Russian.

Larry

ngf74 · #8 02-18-2011, 11:58 PM

Thanks for the compliments on the piece.

ngf74 · #9 02-19-2011, 01:06 AM

Where should I start to find the origin of the engraving? I don't see any initials anywhere.

opoefc · #10 02-19-2011, 02:15 AM

Your revolver is definately a Smith & Wesson, not a foreign copy. The engraving style is what collectors call " New York "engraving, done by one of the large New York distributors for S&W. Probably M. W. Robinson, S&Ws largest distributor at the time your gun was made. The best source of information on your gun would be to get a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks at S&W. The letter will tell you when the gun was shipped , where it was shipped and to whom it was shipped, and the configuration of the gun at the time ( factory engraved, plain blue or nickel finish, or?) Engraving of the style on the gun is hardly ever found with a initials or other marks indicating who engraved it. In the New York shops, probably 2 or 3 people worked on the engraving, each doing separate parts. This could be done fairly quickly - lots of straight lines, easy scrolls & swirls, with no overlaps, etc. The idea was flash , not art. No gold inlays, no panel scenes of birds or animals, etc. Add pearl stocks after a bright nickel refinish, and market the product. Mother of Pearl stocks were very inexpensive, as compared to ivory at the time, so they were a cheap way to jazz up a product. Having said all that, you have a nice S&W, very much collectable today. Good Luck, Ed.

ngf74 · #11 02-20-2011, 04:01 PM

Thanks Ed. I'll get started on the Roy Jinks route.

ngf74 · #12 03-02-2011, 03:14 PM

Any idea of the price range on the gun without the letter?

ngf74 · #13 04-07-2011, 05:32 PM

Got the letter. Temped to list the gun on Gunbroker. I am taking it to be appraised tomorrow, but wanted to make sure they came back in the same ballpark.

alaskavett · #14 04-07-2011, 06:19 PM

Not sure what it's "worth", but as I understand it you inherited it. I wish you would reconsider and keep it. I wish I could afford to make you a offer that is reasonable for what you have. Beautiful pistol. Thanks for showing it to us. Kyle

ngf74 · #15 04-08-2011, 01:20 PM

This is one of many of his guns. The ones with meaning to the family are not even considered for sale.