Hello to all. I just joined the forum 2 days ago and am enjoying it immensely. If I can tap into the expertise of the other members here, can anyone tell me whether this is a "Frontier" or a "1st Model D/A?" It's chambered in .44 Russian.

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I can't quite make out what the marking on the side of the barrel says. If it is "44 WCF" it's a Frontier, if 44 S&W it's a 44 Russian.

Otherwise, we will need the serial number and the length of the cylinder (1 7/16ths or 1 9/16ths).

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

It's .44 S&W. I'll get back when I can measure it. Thanks.

"Most" of the Early 44 DA & Frontiers are not Caliber Marked on the Barrel so I believe this is going to be a Later Production Revolver with the Longer Cylinder since the Barrel is marked "44 S&W CTG."!! Although I have seen some Early Production 44 DA's with Short Cylinders marked "44 S&W Ctg." as well!! Hard to say with any certainty from the Photo!! The Frontiers, which were all Long Cylinders, are stamped "44 Winchester Ctg." if they're Caliber marked!!

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Masterpiece

Welcome to the Forum Streak. If your question is how to tell the difference between Frontier and standard DA, the Frontier will be chambered for 44-40. Any 44 S&W (Russian) stampings will classify it as a Standard 44 Double Action First Model. I have a couple of 44 Russians, one with short cylinder and with the long cylinder, but they will not chamber 44-40. Yours is chambered for 44 Russian as stamped on the barrel.

Your gun looks like it has been refinished since it looks like the hammer and trigger have a nickel finish and were case hardened originally. These are good shooters and thanks to the cowboys out there, the ammunition is readily available.

Glowe,

Thanks for a clearer explanation to what I was trying to express!! Now, after reading over my Post a couple of times, I suppose it may have come across a bit misleading to some extent!!

My apologies to Streak if it caused you any confusion as it was not my intent to do so!! Sorry!!

By the way Streak, Welcome to the Forum!!

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Masterpiece

I'll have to drag the old girl out of my safe to check it, but I'm thinking the hammer and triggger are case hardened and it's the reflection from being under a lamp (and my rudimentary phototography skills) that made it look so bright. It's a solid old "hog leg" and I've fired it a few times with some (I think it was) Black Hills ammo. Any clue as to how I could "date" the weapon? I know with Colts it's fairly easy. I've heard it's a bit more difficult with S&Ws. Thanks so much for the information!

If you can supply the serial number, we can get pretty close to the ship date for your gun. If you would like to obtain more detailed information about the gun, request a factory letter from Roy Jinks and you will find its original configuration, exact shipping date and where it was sent.

Last I knew is that since all frames were manufactured before 1898, so these revolvers are all considered antiques by the ATF.

The S/N is 46107. Thanks

Maybe shipped 1904-1906. Problem is that with the high serial number, exact date can only be determined by a factory letter from Roy Jinks. These revolvers were slow sellers and the later production was sold well into the 1900s before all were gone from the factory stock.

Jinks and Neal book states that there were 54666 44 Russians manufactured from 1881 to 1913. They probably were still selling them for some time after manufacturing stopped.