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Old 04-23-2017, 06:42 AM
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Default Advice/Reference for Antique S&W Model 3 American

Hello all, I was wanting to get an honest appraisal of my 2nd model American. Only problem I have with it that it has a 44 russian Cylinder with all matching serial numbers. I have a letter that states its a 44 american with 44 american cylinder? Wanting to get out of any Black powder guns so I am all ears on how to go forward.
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Old 04-23-2017, 07:28 AM
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Some more photos and copy of letter.
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Old 04-23-2017, 09:03 AM
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At sometime in its life the cylinder was reamed (re-bored) to accept the more modern and available 44 Russian cartridge??
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Old 04-23-2017, 09:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deadin View Post
At sometime in its life the cylinder was reamed (re-bored) to accept the more modern and available 44 Russian cartridge??
No. The American cartridge used a heeled, externally lubricated bullet that was the same size as the casing. There are no steps in an American cylinder because it is not necessary.
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Old 04-23-2017, 09:38 AM
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Thanks Guy and Dean for opinions. Is there a go to person for the 2nd model American?

Everett
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Old 04-23-2017, 09:59 AM
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Guy,
That was my point. If you look up the specs for the 44 American and compare them to the specs of a 44 Russian, the American is smaller in all aspects except the bullet diameter. It would be a fairly simple task to ream the cylinder out to accept a Russian case.
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Old 04-23-2017, 12:34 PM
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It would appear that this revolver has assembly numbers? And all match?

Joe
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Old 04-23-2017, 12:52 PM
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Maybe there is a way to find out. Kryten67, can you measure with a digital micrometer the diameter of the front of each chamber where the chamber necks down before the bullet exits into the barrel? I believe if it is .44 Russian, the chamber should measure .427-.429". If it was originally .44 American, it should measure .432-.434".
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:08 PM
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S&Ws distributor, M.W.Robinson, received 1,000s of guns from S&W, usually in large shipments and it's been noticed that the shipping records are not always that accurate is to small details of individual guns , like caliber, when it came to correctly recording every gun in the shipment. It's possible the invoice for this gun shows .44 Russian as the caliber and the shipping entry is in error. Ed.
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:14 PM
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Hello Joe and Ed and Guy, Yes all assembly numbers match. Measurement are .428 consistently across the six chambers. Pictures are included.
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:28 PM
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I agree with Ed. Since it has assy numbers, it is a commercial in .44 Russian and simply mislabeled in the shipping records - easy because the factory marked it as a "2nd American" with the rib marking.
If it was intended as a Military contract like the later "reissue" revolvers, it would have had full serial numbers, not assembly numbers.
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:33 PM
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Wow that is pretty neat, Is there anyway I can get Roy to fix the letter? How do I go about this?

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Everett
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Old 04-23-2017, 07:45 PM
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If you mail him the letter with an accompanying letter explaining the situation as you understand it, he will gladly reissue a corrected letter if it is warranted. If you can, send photos documenting your claims in the letter.
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Old 04-23-2017, 09:32 PM
kryten67 kryten67 is online now
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Hello James Redfield, I will put together some photos and exerpts from this thread. Thank you

Everett
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