A Co-worker was cleaning out her late father's house and found this Top-Break revolver hidden in a tattered box way in the back of a closet. It's well used and has almost no finish remaining, so it probably doesn't have much, if any, collector value, but still she would like to know what she has.

Serial number on butt and cylinder is 10292.

It has no caliber markings.

The rib on the barrel is stamped "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT’D JAN 17 & 24. 65. JULY 11. 65. AUG 24. 69. APR 20. 75. FEB 25 & DEC 18. 1877. REISSUE JULY 25. 71"

Several of the original screws appear to have been replaced with ill fitting pan-head screws.

Attached are some photos (Sorry they didn't come out as well as I hoped).


She would appreciate if anyone could tell us a little about it.

What a shame some of these old pieces have not survived well.
I see nothing more than an old paper weight.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Dan877,

The Revolver Your Co-Worker stumbled upon is a Lg.-Frame Top-Break NM#3 Single Action...Most likely chambered for a .44 Russian Cartridge!!

You are correct in assuming it doesn't retain much collector value...Although it may have some value for some just for the parts!!

As an aside...If guns could talk...I'm sure this Revolver would have some good stories to pass along...Ha!!~Ha!!

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Masterpiece

I have a higher opinion of the old timer and if it is mechanically sound with a good bore, I think it has a lot of potential as a nice representative piece for someone who doesn't have one or can't afford a better one.

Hose it down with WD-40, wipe as dry as possible after waiting for about and hour, and then apply a generous coat of pure Carnuba Wax and I'll bet that revolver will look a LOT more presentable. I also agree with Wyatt that if the timing is correct and the barrel clear this would be a candidate for some pleasant shooting with some low energy hand loads using either black powder or a modern equivalent.

Sorry, but I doubt that just spraying some WD 40 on it will make a shooter. Who knows what is going on inside? I see the spring is missing, a broken on the top-latch, or there is so much rust that it is binding. I would imagine the bore looks worse than the exterior. The pivot screw and pin are in backwards. Stocks are whittled pieces of wood and definitely not original, etc., etc., etc.

The gun would have shipped around 1880 and, as stated above, it most likely a 44 Russian. There were other rare calibers offered in this model, but without detailed chamber castings, it would be difficult to determine what you could have. The factory offered 44 Rimfire, 44 American, 45 Schofield, and a few large British calibers as well.

Great opportunity for a nice display piece in my opinion. If there is an original S&W factory box, no matter how tattered, it could be worth as much as the revolver.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Thanks for the information, if anyone has more to add please do.

This old six-shooter has had a lot of use, and I doubt it would be of much value, even for parts. It probably can not be safely fired. The cylinder does not lock up. The top latch is so loose if you hold the pistol and flick your wrist it will pop loose and the barrel/cylinder tips up. When you cock the hammer the cylinder does not turn. I don't know if a good internal cleaning would fix the cylinder problems, but I know I don't want to be the one who fired it to find out. I looked it over briefly but didn't think to look down the bore.

I did wonder about the grips, they look so crudely carved, I suspected they were not original. Should the ejector spring up when the cylinder is opened?

From the stories the old-timers used to tell, this part of the country used to be a pretty rough place back in the early part of the 1900's into the 1930's. From the wear it has I bet the old piece could tell some stories if it could talk. It doesn't show in the photos but there are 5 distinct "notches" scratched into the left side-plate...

"A Co-worker was cleaning out her late father's house..". Nice family heirloom. I hope she keeps it and places it in a shadow box on display. Also, she needs to document it for future generations.

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Mike Maher #283

Dan877,

Judging from what I could see in Your Photos...I noticed there looked to be an extreme amount of wear on the Frame Lugs where the Barrel Latch catches & is why I based my assessment as it's likely only worth lies in whatever parts were left still being serviceable!!

Also...As I stated earlier...I'm sure this Revolver could tell some interesting stories if it could talk!!

Still an all...It'll surely make an interesting conversation piece nonetheless!!

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Masterpiece

Maybe I spent too much tome looking at my New Model 3 Target converted to .22 with extended muzzle, but your gun pictured looks shorter than 6 1/2". Perhaps 6". did the NM3 come in 6"?