We're in the ballpark, it is a 2nd or 3rd model Russian Frame. A quick reference on the "Saw Handle" Model 3's is: if the front sight is an integral part of the barrel, it is a 3rd model. If front sight is NOT an integral part of the barrel, it's a second model. The clasp, from what I can see is either a Russian Clasp or an American Clasp which is not unusual.
The 1st model Russian 44 SA: AKA "Old Old Russian" (resembles our American)
The 2nd model Russian 44 SA: AKA the "Old Russian"
The 3rd model Russain 44 SA: AKA "New Model Russian"
Then there were Tula Aresenal and Ludwig & Lowe copies produced under Russian Govt approval but were NOT authorized by Smith & Wesson.
And then there were Belgian and Spanish copies. These, again, were unauthorized copies, as well.
So many of these 2nd & 3rd Russians were bought in bulk years later and wholesaled to suppliers like
NOT ALL BARRELS on a S&W manufactured Russians sold to the Civilian market in the USA, began by being be stamped "RUSSIAN MODEL" but many do NOT have RUSSIAN MODEL on the top rib.
These were guns originally made for a Russian Government contract that Russia first ordered that were or Model 3 American with further revisions.
The Russian Government accepted a portion of the originally contracted guns then cancelled the rest of that order but by the time they cancelled, S&W had the majority of the order completed.
S&W needed to dump the glut of Russians from cancelled Russian contracts in lieu of a critical financial deficit.
Main S&W dealers of the day were "asked" in helping S&W push these out to the US commercial / retail markets or to other Foreign Countries in an attempt to regain some funds on the cancelled order and overload. Sometimes these are referred to as "over-runs" but they were NOT over-runs. THey were guns S&W got stuck with after the Russians cancelled, leaving S&W in a fix.
S&W chose their largest dealers, MW Robinson and Shuler, Hartley and Graham to help recover from a huge loss of income to unload these.(No pun intended) rather SELL off this overload (again no pun intended) of Russian Models.
In my opinion, while the Russian contract guns feel and seem "beefier" than the New Model 3, to me, the New Model 3 was the Corvette Sting-Ray design rather than the Russian truck design.
Usually those youmight find are in mediocre to lesser conditions and repaired with parts from other guns. I cannot recall at this moment which model used parts numbers on all parts and near what serial number the Assembly numbers stopped but whatever mark it has, they need to match.
GLOWE: I never knew you could interchange the NM3 Barrel and with the NM3 Barrel. That's probably because I never tried.
Are you sure of the barrel interchange ?
It is a S&W factory Frame, but could have a bunch of assorted, or changed parts of other models including the lesser grade Belgian and Spanish copies as well as other even less quality copies.
The Tula Arsenal and the Ludwig and Lowe copies were quality pieces ... In my opinion. I know the protests will commence now because of that statement but that is my opinion. I have owned a Ludwig & Lowe but sold in lieu of finding one in nicer condition, but i have a Tula Aresenal (without export / import ) marks that is just amazing.
The Belgian, Spanish and a few other "unknown" manufactured Russian models are just plain JUNK, even if found in nicer conditions.