Welcome to the Forum. The 44 Double Action, First Model was manufactured from 1881 to 1913, with 54,668 total made. All the frames were made prior to 1898, so all are classified as antiques. They came in 4", 5", 6", and 6 1/2" barrel lengths and were either nickel or blued. If you supply the serial number, someone can estimate the actual age of your S&W.
For many years, these revolvers lagged in the antique hogleg gun market and up until recently were easy to buy at $500-$600 range for a gun in the condition similar to yours. It does appear that your gun has been well used and has many signs of refinishing, but is still a matching numbers representation of the model that today should bring close to $1000 -- IF -- the entire serial number were evident on the butt. Technically, the BATF would consider this an altered serial number and since they rely only on the butt stamped number to ID any gun, it would be illegal to own. I would not think that any agent would ever confiscate a 130 year old gun, but that is a possibility, so many buyers would be wary enough to not buy the gun.
I would consider taking the revolver to a competent gunsmith and see if they would re-stamp the 4 digit serial number on the butt to give everyone peace of mind that everything is legitimate.
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Gary
SWCA 2515
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