It was my best nickel DA .44, 100% nickel but with a bore like a diesel exhaust pipe. I found a new condition barrel, probably made as a replacement part, with no S/N on it. Now I have it as a rare piece ?, perfect bore, 100% that the factory omitted s/n on the barrel ---->

I like it!

A really good gunsmith (are there any left now days?) could reline your old barrel and have it very nearly indistinguishable from the original. It would involve boring to within .020 or .030 of the end, pressing in the insert, then pressing in a new forcing cone. Final touch would be to chamfer the end so the liner and old barrel match, removing that last little bit of old rifling. Yes, under close inspections, the lines would be visible, but at least it would no longer look like the tail pipe on my diesel truck.

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Tom S Re getting a gunsmith to reline -- but why would I do that, I could do it myself, having re-sleeved several barrels; all the work it would take when all it took was a few minutes to transfer the barrel. I sold the removed barrel for the same I paid for the new one, so no cost involved ---->

My thought process was to keep the original barrel with the gun so the numbers all matched. As for you sleeving it, not everyone has the tools, equipment, time and experience to do this kind of work. Most your old smiths did, as relining was relatively popular in days of old (perhaps due to the primers used back then?).

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I would buy a gun with a relined, but matching barrel before I would buy one without a serial number on the barrel. Actually, I would buy that gun with an original untouched barrel over either of the options above. Never say never, but I have "never" seen a 44 DA without serial numbers where they should be. Either way, it's a nice shooter with great stocks . . . now I wonder where those stocks came from??

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

glowe -- I wonder where those stocks came from??

Africa - when I was working in Belgian Congo 1951 my Dad sent me S&W & Colt originals
that I had copied by local carvers for about $6/pr. This was copied from a No #3 American
(below) I had bought in France but never installed - DIY reworked & decor, years later.

Super nice revolver .

You or your father must have had lots of input on the design, because that stock metal-work is definitely a great depiction of those big Texas Longhorns in the Wichita Mountains refuge. Ivory, I assume?

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

Yes, ivory. I went with the carver to the gov't ivory warehouse where he bought a piece of ivory which was only sold to native carvers. There were llterally thousands of tusks, tons of ivory, some 8' long & diameter more than my thigh at hip, mostly looking ages old like maybe found after elephant died decades ago.

Some more of my ivory work --









Sometimes the horn curve depends on the available space ----->

Not to be an officiating PITA but that is a "New Model 3". An American was the 1st issue of a S&W .44 (American Caliber) 1st, Transition & 2nd variations, then the Schofield, THEN came the New Model 3, as in your picture.

Before someone slams me, I have not mentioned the Russian models as we are not of subject yet.

__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I suggest you resist from spending any serious money on this one. If you are all matching numbers now, leave well enough along. If it has been refinished, then definitely leave well enough alone otherwise you'll likely have an expensive lesson to be learned ahead of you, I feel.

__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Sorry - at 93 my memory sometimes fails ----->

I seem to have given the impression I was asking for advice, when all I posted was a 'show & tell' report, over & done with ---->