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08-02-2017, 09:57 PM
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S&W No.3? S/N 78
I recently purchased what i believe to be is a S&w model No. 3. The Serial number is 78, i'm guessing the caliber to be .32-44. I would appreciate any help in learning more history about this gun, and possibly the value.
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08-02-2017, 11:07 PM
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Welcome to the forum.
I am just getting into the antique S&W's and still finding the different variations quite confusing. The one thing that I have learned is telling the SA guns from the DA guns by where the trigger sits within the trigger guard. Rearward makes it single action whereas centered makes it double action. Beyond that I am still somewhat confused.
That said, you have a very low serial numbered gun that appears to be in very good condition. I would think that it is probably a 4 figure gun but others will be along that can give you more definite information.
Very cool gun, thanks for sharing.
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08-02-2017, 11:21 PM
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I believe it is Single Action. Thank you for the info
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08-03-2017, 12:53 AM
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Great looking New Model Number 3 single action revolver. Love the low serial number. So far I have 2, two digit serial number guns from the 1800's and I'm looking for more.
Looking at the cylinder it looks like a 32-44 to me too. What is the length of the cylinder? If its 1 7/16" long then I agree its probably a dedicated target model like you indicated. If it has the longer 1 9/16" cylinder then more research is needed.
The rear target sight on my 32-44 target with serial number 368 has an adjustable rear sight with no serial number on the bottom of the sight. I've read that early in the production of the 32-44 the target sight was fixed with no adjustment for windage or elevation. I've also read that sometimes the rear sight was replaced with an adjustable sight so thats probably what happened to mine. (Thanks Ralph for educating me on target sights. Hope i learned good)
Your rear target sight looks like its not adjustable for elevation or windage which would make it an early rare variation. Can you send more pictures of the rear sight?
Mark
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08-03-2017, 01:14 AM
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I'll have to get a photo of the rear sight tomorrow as I've locked the guns away for the night. I think it's not adjustable. The barrel length is 6 1/2 inches I believe. I'll have to measure the cylinder in the morning as well, I didn't think about that.
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08-03-2017, 01:29 AM
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It appears you have a 32-44 Target model S&W NM#3. The finish is not great and it probably has been refinished at some time years ago, The barrel lettering shows signs of poor polishing, done when the refinish was applied. If the gun is mechanically OK, then you have a representative example of this target model series of .32-44s, of which 2930 were produced between about 1887 to 1910 era, with a current auction value of around $1800- $2500. The serial number should be found on the butt, cylinder, barrel, barrel latch and the back side of the right grip panel, if all parts are original. Ed.
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08-03-2017, 01:44 AM
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The gun is in full firing condition I believe and the serial number 78 matches through out the gun.
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08-03-2017, 07:43 AM
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Ed, if that is an example of target sights, what would a non target rear sight look like. Is it merely a cut in the rear of the barrel like some of the newer S&W's?
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08-03-2017, 10:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JSR III
Ed, if that is an example of target sights, what would a non target rear sight look like. Is it merely a cut in the rear of the barrel like some of the newer S&W's?
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James,
Since Photos are said to be worth a thousand words...The Photos I've attached exhibit the 3 Most Common Rear Sights...(Std. & Target)...Found on Lg.-Frame Top-Break New Model 3 Revolvers!!
Left to Right:
1st being the Std. Non-Target Rear Sight...(Single & Dbl.-Action)...Found on Lg.-Frame Top-Break New Model 3 Revolvers having the Sight Notch incorporated into the Rear Barrel Latch!!
2nd being the Fixed (Non-Adj.) Rear Target Sight found on Early NM#3 .32-44 Target Models as the OP's exhibits!!
3rd being the Windage & Elevation Adj. Rear Target Sight found on most all other Lg.-Frame Top-Break New Model 3 Revolvers..(Both Single & Dbl.-Action)!!
Hope these helped!!
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Last edited by Masterpiece; 08-03-2017 at 10:57 AM.
Reason: Clarify Model Designation
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08-03-2017, 10:59 AM
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A buddy of mine made me 100 round of .32-44 black powder rounds. I had about 200 cases that I squirreled away over the past 25 years and a .323 ball mold and a Lyman hand loader / mold tool in .32-44. Try to find one of those ! I have the Lyman hand loaders in all S&W calibers.
We had a blast (literally) yesterday.
My friend is a Cowboy shooter who purchased his first Schofield from me 20 years ago (it was a lump of sorry junk with a cut barrel sold it to him for $500) and I recently gifted him a .32-44 Target just so he'd make us the ammo !!
The last time I needed .32-44 Ammo I used Stars & Stripes in Tampa, FL who is a nice enough guy but had me waiting 2 years putting it off a few months at a time even after I bumped the order to 1000 rounds, so I cancelled it (after 2 years) to make the ammo myself. I ended up making it on an old single piston, rock crusher, loader, one round at a time.
It's a fun shooter !!
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08-03-2017, 01:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by model3sw
A buddy of mine made me 100 round of .32-44 black powder rounds. I had about 200 cases that I squirreled away over the past 25 years and a .323 ball mold and a Lyman hand loader / mold tool in .32-44. Try to find one of those ! I have the Lyman hand loaders in all S&W calibers.
We had a blast (literally) yesterday.
My friend is a Cowboy shooter who purchased his first Schofield from me 20 years ago (it was a lump of sorry junk with a cut barrel sold it to him for $500) and I recently gifted him a .32-44 Target just so he'd make us the ammo !!
The last time I needed .32-44 Ammo I used Stars & Stripes in Tampa, FL who is a nice enough guy but had me waiting 2 years putting it off a few months at a time even after I bumped the order to 1000 rounds, so I cancelled it (after 2 years) to make the ammo myself. I ended up making it on an old single piston, rock crusher, loader, one round at a time.
It's a fun shooter !!
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Sal,
Nothing new here lately. I bought a 25-9 in .45 LC today in NIB condition. Will try it at the range tomorrow.
AJ
PS. Apologize to the OP not trying to steal thread.
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08-03-2017, 02:04 PM
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As noted in Post #4, the rear sight is the best part of the gun---although the serial number is not too shabby.
As for the rest of it--------------------------
Ralph Tremaine
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08-03-2017, 04:16 PM
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Here are some photos of the rear sight and cylinder of the gun. All parts seem to be original to the gun, and all numbers match.
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08-04-2017, 07:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterpiece
James,
Since Photos are said to be worth a thousand words...The Photos I've attached exhibit the 3 Most Common Rear Sights...(Std. & Target)...Found on Lg.-Frame Top-Break New Model 3 Revolvers!!
Left to Right:
1st being the Std. Non-Target Rear Sight...(Single & Dbl.-Action)...Found on Lg.-Frame Top-Break New Model 3 Revolvers having the Sight Notch incorporated into the Rear Barrel Latch!!
2nd being the Fixed (Non-Adj.) Rear Target Sight found on Early NM#3 .32-44 Target Models as the OP's exhibits!!
3rd being the Windage & Elevation Adj. Rear Target Sight found on most all other Lg.-Frame Top-Break New Model 3 Revolvers..(Both Single & Dbl.-Action)!!
Hope these helped!!
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Absolutely, that is why that saying is so true. Words are great but there is nothing like a picture to help someone understand.
Thanks.
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James Redfield
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08-04-2017, 10:09 AM
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Note that the No 3 Targets were numbered in their own series, 1-4333.
So No 78 is an early No 3 Target, but not an early early early No 3.
I had a .38-44 and made cylinder length cases for it out of .357 Maximum. A bit undersize, but target loads fireformed them about 3/4 of the way back and resized in a .38 S&W die very nicely. About like shooting Specials in a reamed British surplus M&P.
The key to the .38-44 design was the cylinder length case that delivered the bullet right into the barrel with no cylinder throat.
What I wonder is, what did the chamber look like in the few 1 9/16" cylinders? What does the chamber look like in a .32-44 which does not have a cylinder length case?
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