This is a New Model Target model I recently picked up, converted from .44 Russian to .22 in the 30s by a railroad machinist blacksmith. It shoots really good. Well, I can tell it would if someone with better eyes to handle the fine sights shot it. It was very difficult for me. But at these close ranges to get an idea how it does made me realize it will indeed shoot. I think the gun was made in the early 1890s. Serial # is 258XX. What a fine piece of machinery and the coolest .22 I ever owned.

How's the recoil?

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Don Mundell

That conversion would be tough for a well equipped gunsmith, let alone a railroad blacksmith. Too bad that level of craftsmanship is slipping away with current generations.

It is a real work of art. Glad you get to enjoy it.

At an auction in Iowa ten years ago, I passed on a similar revolver converted to a .22 single shot. Picture a BIG model 1891. I've been kicking myself ever since. Congratulations on a very nice gun. Incidentally, at a show this past weekend, someone told me he has a converted first model Schofield. Unfortunately, not for sale.

Bob

This Schofield .22 conversion was on Gunbroker and sold for around $1600. It has a barrel liner like mine, but the grandson of the guy who converted mine didn't say he did more than one.

Welcome to the club. I once owned 2 NM3s converted to .22LR. Decided only to keep the nicest. Owned for many years before I took it to the range a few years back.

See: http://smith-wessonforum.com/swca-me...get-22-lr.html

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Wyatt, sorry about that. I had posted it in the S&WCA Members section so here's a copy and paste ... best regards, Sal

Model3SW posted: 4/12/14
I found this about 20 years ago. It is not near the nicest nor best but is IS a New Model 3 Target with .22LR conversion pro sleeved with perfect, tight lock up, latch, hinge, index etc. Being a mechanic most of my life, arguing for 40 years with fellow collectors on antique firearms. Flayderman's had once indicated mechanical function had no variance on value of antique firearms (or something like that)... I strongly disagree. I also realize collectors value as an antique or originality are gone, but, it is still a beauty in 2 ways. It is still at NM3 Target, and it IS a mechanical marvel. It was converted from either a .32-44 or .38-44 target many years ago. It is apparent that while this the conversion functions is excellent, the fine details for finishing cylinder face and muzzle were sacrificed. I could only imagine that this conversion likely cost as much or more than a new revolver thus the fine blend in finish details were sacrificed. The finish seems original, the muzzle and other sleeved / machined-in areas were "blacked" on the raw ends. I have owned it for at least 20 years and just fired it today for the very first time. I started at 15 feet, just to get a feel then after 10 shots I cranked it out to 50 feet with no difference in accuracy. I had nothing more to prove with a big smirk on my face while my buddy next to me is firing his polymer plastic .22 target. I did use match ammo. I had only wondered about the accuracy of gunsmith work. I examined it very closely ... a PRO mechanical job but would it be accurate? Question answered today. Oh, by the way, does anyone have any tips on how I can reload my .22LR ammo that I don't beat up the latch and pivot from firing loads that are too hot on this old Black Powder Model 3 frame ?
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>>> 2nd post / response by MODEL3SW
Hey guys, I was just kidding about "reloading" .22LR. The sleeve job make this one noticeably heavier than the same gun in .44 Russian. The target or match .22LR ammo has a recoil that is negligible. It is a joy to shoot especially when you can shoot out the X on a match bullseye target consistently. What it does do is allow me to correct my grip and trigger pull on this frame (the New Model 3), as if I am off center, it is surly me pulling too hard as there is no muscle tension in anticipation of a hard recoil like in larger calibers. Saves me the expense of correcting it with more expensive, larger caliber ammo. I find all .22s fun, especially the oldies.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Wyatt, Yours is a VERY nice conversion. Think of just the labor involved in doing the caliber conversion. Mine is on a 32-44 or 38-44. 32-44 shoots a .323" projectile not the more standard .311/.312", 32 caliber projectiles. Brass is tough to find. I've dabbled with a few other case. Reasons to me that it was likely at 32-44 as the 32-44 ammo went near obsolete sometime in the early 1930's IIRC, Whereas, the 38-44 could use a .38 S&W or .38 Special case. Many 38-44s you find that appear prematurely worn or loose were very possibly caused by shooters using the wrong ammo. Actually a 38 S&W BP (or equivalent conversion) works fine in the 38-44 NM3s. I like using the .38 SPL case to more accurately simulate the gallery round and to keep the projectile more on a straight path to the forcing cone as apposed to it possibly bouncing off the cylinder wall (because of the short brass case and a longer length of bare cylinder it travels through) before reaching the forcing cone. Never proved this one way or the other, though.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Thanks for posting it. Like you, I just look at the workmanship involved here and think, "Wow, are you kidding me?!". I was so glad to see it still had a hammer mounted firing pin as yours does, too. But notice how they are positioned differently. I think yours is normal and mine was switched upward. True? Hits the rim perfectly.
The seller told me his grand dad who converted it was a gun guy but not a gunsmith by trade. Just a handy machinist who I guess wanted to shoot affordable ammo during the depression. When I shot it guys next to me were shooting Glocks and SIGs. What a time warp. I must try match ammo outdoors where my far sighted eyes can see the sights better.
Thanks again for posting yours.

I think that is just extremely neat.
One could build a whole collection of .22 conversions.
Just think of Alonzo Crull, even though he worked mostly on Colts.

Otherwise,
"Whereas, the 38-44 could use a .38 S&W or .38 Special case."

I found that .357 Maximum trimmed to cylinder length gave a very sincere .38-44 Target with roundnose bullet seated submerged.
Even target loads expanded the brass pretty far back but resizing in a .38 Super die (Same O.D. as .38 S&W.) got them back in the cylinder without overworking the brass.

Did it look something like this? Found it at the November 2011 Wanenmacher show in Tulsa.
Tulsa gun show haul - Nov 2011








It goes bang quite nicely.
Range session with an octet of pre-war Target S&Ws

I really like that extractor on that single shot. I wish we could get together and have a laid back shooting match with these. Shooting mine at a leisurely pace reminded me of the target shooters from long ago, except the holes in their targets were in the center as opposed to mine.