Please help me identify this revolver. It was offered to me as a Belgian copy of S&W made exclusively for the Turkish army officers in limited to 1000 series. This one comes with serial number "12". It is in working condition, on top along the barrel there is text saying - "RUSSIAN MODEL SMITH & WESSON NEW YORK". I would ask also for an approximate value.

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Interesting revolver..all I can tell you is it isn't a S&W,which you already knew.It's got some serious holes in the cylinder...so at least a .44. It should make a nice shooter,if it checks out mechanically.It does appear to have Belgian proof marks and be of good construction. Value? I'd pass on it at anything over 500 bucks...but I know nothing about a lot of guns. Normally I like engraving..but that style looks more like scratches and detracts from the looks,making it appear..."cheap" instead of classy.If it were blued and without engraving I'd value it higher,in the eyes of a potential purchaser. Just my humble opinion...

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My Daddy was a pistol..

Many thanks for your reply, Breakaway500! I was told also that the grips are made of camel bone. I can see, that it is some kind of bone, but I'm not at all expert in this.

Welcome to the Forum. First thing to check is for any other stampings. Look on the rear of the cylinder and under the stocks for any other markings and that might help with knowing where it came from. Particluarly, look for an oval with the letters ELG, which would tell you that it came from Belgium. Most S&W copies were made in this country, but many other areas of Europe and the Middle East made copies as well. If the stocks are camel bone, it would suggest the Middle East manufacture, maybe Turkey, but stories are often suspect. Actually they look somewhat like ivory to me.

Value is quite low, since there are not many people out there looking for copies and forgeries of popular brands of firearms. Maybe $300??

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Thanks, glowe. Well on the 3-td photo I have posted the ELG mark is clearly seen so it is a Belgian copy as I was told.

Camel Bone ? Turkish Army ? The seller has a wild imagination, but that's what's needed to get rid of junk like this. Ed.

It is always wise to ask competent people, before to buy such thing. Thanks a lot for your opinions once again. So far it will be better for me to save on for a real S&W :-)

ziegfrid, A wise decision in my opinion.

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Mike Maher #283

Your revolver is similar to and probably made by A. Simonis in Liege. These were made and sold to officers of the various European Armies of the period.
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Here is a copy with an original for comparison

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Line drawing from Zhuk's Pistols and revolvers of the World

Joe

Generally, revolvers of this nature are valued more as decorator items than collectible guns, at least in the USA. Unless it has some documented relationship to someone famous or to some historical event, there is no significant demand for them. I'd agree with the previous valuation estimates.