Inherited a pistol, a 44 I think. The butt plate has a stamped in a rectangle, 1874. Below the 1874 and in larger letters are the numbers 48079. The cylinder is stamped with the numbers 7083. Is this parts from two pistols or is this the original parts? Also I would like to know the approximate of manufacture.

Welcome to the Forum. A couple questions to help narrow down the revolver. First, Does it say Russian Model or Reissue on the top of the barrel, or is it in Russian Cyrillic?

I am pretty sure you have a Model 3 Russian Second Model. These had a longer extractor housing than the Third Model. I have a picture below, let me know which one it resembles? Many Second Model revolvers used assembly numbers on all major parts and the stamping on the cylinder would match a number under the wood stocks, under the barrel latch, and inside the "ears" on the barrel top frame. These numbers would not match the serial number on the butt, which was stamped after revolver was assembled.

Almost all these revolvers were 44 Russian caliber, but a few were made in 44 rimfire.

I have a Second Model in the 51XXX serial number range that was shipped in January 1875. Yours, if yours is a Second Model, it likely would have been a year earlier.

Attached Images

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With a serial in the 48000 range it is likely a third model commercial. "Reissues" don't usually have high serial numbers as they were in their own serial series.
These were given assembly numbers so the 7803 is likely that. Check under the right grip plate and see if there is a matching number there. There should also be a number on the latch and barrel extension face.

glowe, There are a number of second models in the 50,000 range. The second models were in production clear into late 1877 and the serial number block allocated for them was filled before production ceased so a few were assigned serials outside the normal serial block for the second model (above the range for the third model). Yours is one of those. Normally the third model serial block is from 39000 to about 50,000. Numbers assigned above that seem to be mixed 2nd and 3rd model.

Joe

I don't think that the high numbered Third Model had the 1874 stamping on the butt. It is most likely a "RUSSIAN MODEL" commercial, but need the OP to give us a little more information and hopefully a picture.

The 1874 stamp is not a factory mark, but from SH&G. They seem to have even used it on some New Model No. 3s. I agree that it is likely a "Russian Model" Commercial and a picture would tell us a lot!
Joe

Greetings. I have a gun in about the same condition. It has a 48791 number and a bone/ivory front sight. I have two questions for you;
What is the purpose of the spur off the trigger guard and (because I want to sell it) what is the approx value ?
Thanks,
Bob

ov1guy, See my posting on your other thread about values. The hook, or spur, on the trigger guard is seen on various revolvers, including the S&Ws, used in Russia and surrounding areas,of the period. Photos of Russians, and other middle eastern individuals with these revolvers, show them wearing a sash around their waist and the revolvers are tucked behind the sash with the trigger hooks over the top of the sash to hold the revolvers in place. Ed.