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S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


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Old 10-01-2018, 04:09 PM
MixmodelA MixmodelA is offline
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Default Antique S&W revolvers

Does any body shoot these? My interests seem to be leaning towards them a bit. Especially the longer bbl. models with exposed hammers. I know modern ammo may be a bit to warm, but hand loading down some seems to a good option. I wouldn't want to turn them into a range gun, but a few rounds from time to time is appealing. Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated. Thanks! Mick
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Old 10-01-2018, 04:34 PM
Andy Lowry Andy Lowry is offline
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Depending on what you mean by "antique," you might be better off with black powder rather than light-loading with smokeless.

I have an 1880's H&R that I'm working up a black powder load for. A range report will be forthcoming.
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Old 10-01-2018, 04:58 PM
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Hello Mr, Mix, a new member and welcome. Pls provide a whole lot more specificity on exactly what guns you are referring to. None of us want to
steer you in the wrong direction.
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Old 10-01-2018, 07:16 PM
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It is not unusual for some of the late 1800's to 1920's top break revolvers to be used in CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) competition. The Tip Up (.22) revolvers are rather fragile, but some do shoot them with very low powered CB Caps. There are even a few who shoot the 32 Rim Fires from time to time. The .32 and .38 top breaks can be used some with modern ammo which is loaded pretty light in the .32 S&W and .38 S&W.

Be sure to have the guns checked by a competent gunsmith before attempting to shoot.

Welcome to the Forum and have Fun with S&W.
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Old 10-01-2018, 07:45 PM
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Find and buy a copy of Complete Guide to Handloading by Phillip Sharpe. Printed from 1937 to about 1957 with revisions. For the older loads on the antiques, any edition will serve your purpose.

Advice I received from a mentor (now gone) many years ago, who shot all his antique revolvers, especially the .44 Russian Model 3s " Follow Phillip Sharpe and you can never go wrong".

To a newer developments, some of the newer shooters like Clays powder instead of Bullseye to maintain lower head pressures so study the formulas well.
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Old 10-01-2018, 08:05 PM
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I have shot my 1876 3rd model russian several times with Black Hills cowboy loads. They seem very mild
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Old 10-01-2018, 09:07 PM
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I have shot my 1876 3rd model russian several times with Black Hills cowboy loads. They seem very mild
The 3rd Model Russian is good, beefy, Model 3. The TULA arsenal copy (made in Russia) too, all a joy to shoot.
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Old 10-01-2018, 10:04 PM
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You have many choices with vintage S&W revolvers, almost all of which are capable of shooting smokeless powders without worry.

I actually load Trail Boss powde for almost all antique calibers and can attest to lower felt recoil and excellent performance. Powders like Trail Boss are high bulk, eliminating the possibility of a double charge, plus offer similar ballistics to black powder without the mess.

A chronograph is important in developing loads for these old guns. You can find standard velocities for original BP loads and my rule of thumb is to load 100 fps slower than specified. Most BP era ammunition ran in the upper 700s to low 800s so it is easy to load in ranges from 600 to 700 and be assured of lower pressures than original ammo.

If I were to buy my first antique S&W today, I would look for a 6" 38 S&W Double Action. These are reasonably priced guns that can be found in excellent mechanical condition. They shoot well, can be fired in SA or DA mode and are a breeze to reload. This round can be found in everything from a spur trigger single action, Safety Hammerless, Perfected Double Action, up to Military & Police British Service Revolvers used in WWII.
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Old 10-02-2018, 05:15 AM
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Welcome to the forum and thanks for asking a great question .As a newer member myself I can guarantee these guys not only won't steer you wrong but don't have a problem calling down anyone who does . Thanks to the experts who as usual have so freely given information .
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Old 10-02-2018, 08:06 AM
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I don't have an option with my Model 3 American. Ammo is non existent. Wish I could find some someone loaded from 41 mag, but I can't even find those.
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Old 10-02-2018, 10:05 AM
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I have shot many rounds through my Model 3 Americans. Started out with shooting 41 Mag cases and hollow base 44 Russian bullets. Results were that the guns shot them, but accuracy was not very good. I went to pure lead and cast the same hollow base bullets and accuracy improved. In the early days, I melted beeswax and dipped the bullets, but migrated to Liquid Alox, which works quite well on BP. The capacity of the case was reduced by the deeper seated bullet, If I recall correctly, it was around 18 grains of 3F. I was able to adjust my 44 American die set to lightly crimp the 41 brass with a 44 American die set. Lastly, I full length sized the finished cartridge to reduce the OD of the neck, so it would fit in the chamber. I shot many boxes of this recipe and enjoyed the experience with every trip to the range.

Larry Potterfield has a very good reloading video for the 44 American, including loading with original heeled bullet design.
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Old 10-02-2018, 10:49 AM
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I don't own anything I wont shoot. But what I load, and how often I shoot them depends on the gun. I've shot my New Model #3 in .44 Russian a lot, and love shooting it. Numerous others get shot less, but still shot.
I hand load for all of mine, and use light smokeless loads in all of mine. How you load them depends on the caliber and frame. Whether you load for them and shoot them depends on the condition. They should be checked prior to loading for them, to ensure they're in good shape to shoot.
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Old 10-09-2018, 10:20 AM
Driftwood Johnson Driftwood Johnson is offline
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Quote:
It is not unusual for some of the late 1800's to 1920's top break revolvers to be used in CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) competition.
Howdy

I'm afraid I must take issue with that statement. It is quite unusual for the Smith and Wesson Top Break revolvers to be used in CAS. I am one of the only guys I know of who actually shoots them in CAS, and I don't shoot them all that often, maybe twice a year. I can only recall one instance in over 18 years of CAS where there was anyone else but me shooting original S&W Top Breaks in CAS.

This is my pair of New Model Number Threes. The nickle plated one shipped in 1882 and was refinished at the factory in 1965. The blued one shipped in 1896 and has not been refinished. They are both chambered for 44 Russian and I only shoot them with ammunition loaded with Black Powder.





Antique Winchesters and Colts can be seen slightly more often in CAS, but not much. I have an original Model 1873 Winchester that I have brought to a match a few times, and a nice Bisley Colt that has made it a few times.

But I can tell you from experience that the great majority of CAS shooters are shooting Rugers or replicas made in Italy.
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Old 10-09-2018, 11:21 AM
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This is my pair of New Model Number Threes. The nickle plated one shipped in 1882 and was refinished at the factory in 1965. The blued one shipped in 1896 and has not been refinished. They are both chambered for 44 Russian and I only shoot them with ammunition loaded with Black Powder.

WOW, nice NM3's. Exactly what I am looking for, a pair of nice shooters. Just enough age on the blue and there's nothing wrong with that factory re-nickel, either! Thanks for sharing!
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Old 10-09-2018, 12:17 PM
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Driftwood
Nice guns
nice pics
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Old 10-09-2018, 10:17 PM
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I have been shooting the Revolving Rifle occasionally over the last 6 months. Bullet were cased from a original Revolving Rifle mold and new 32-20 brass for cases.

B. Mower
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Old 10-10-2018, 05:36 AM
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I have been shooting the Revolving Rifle occasionally over the last 6 months. Bullet were cased from a original Revolving Rifle mold and new 32-20 brass for cases.

B. Mower
Wow that's all I can say I'm speechless and that don't happen often. Seriously beautiful gun .thanks for posting .
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Old 10-10-2018, 05:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Driftwood Johnson View Post
Howdy

I'm afraid I must take issue with that statement. It is quite unusual for the Smith and Wesson Top Break revolvers to be used in CAS. I am one of the only guys I know of who actually shoots them in CAS, and I don't shoot them all that often, maybe twice a year. I can only recall one instance in over 18 years of CAS where there was anyone else but me shooting original S&W Top Breaks in CAS.

This is my pair of New Model Number Threes. The nickle plated one shipped in 1882 and was refinished at the factory in 1965. The blued one shipped in 1896 and has not been refinished. They are both chambered for 44 Russian and I only shoot them with ammunition loaded with Black Powder.





Antique Winchesters and Colts can be seen slightly more often in CAS, but not much. I have an original Model 1873 Winchester that I have brought to a match a few times, and a nice Bisley Colt that has made it a few times.

But I can tell you from experience that the great majority of CAS shooters are shooting Rugers or replicas made in Italy.
I bet when you did show up at a match with those folks knew you were serious. I must say it is amazing how CAS folks can lay down some accurate rpaid fire with those old guns or clones of old guns. Yours are just way too nice to use in competition . The nickel one speaks to me real real loud .i can just see a man walking into an olden day saloon wearing that and saying yea I'm a ranger and I'm here to take a bad man back dead or alive and it dont matter to me .ok going back to my L.Lamour books and singing I shoulda been a cowboy -------. I keep coming back to this picture I had to add thanks for posting man there is just something special about those old Smiths I mean I know everyone out in the world gets all worked up over SAA Colts but to me it just seems the Smiths are I don't know they are just great looking and designed for what a handgun was used for ,fighting.

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Old 10-10-2018, 07:48 AM
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That's awesome. I've been looking for ammo for mine forever, and can't find any reasonable. Just wanted some to display with it.
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Old 01-07-2019, 03:25 PM
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My first gun was a Model 4 DA in .38 S&W, nickel with a 6" barrel in excellent condition.

I got it from National Gun Shop in Miami, FL in 1969 for the princely sum of $40. I was 15 at the time and thrilled that my father let me buy it.

I shot the you-know-what out of that gun, mostly factory ammo, but also made shot loads using .38 Special brass. Also shot a lot of wax bullets out of it; messy, but I never tired of playing with that old Smith so cleaning it wasn't a chore to me.

Yes, people do shoot them.
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Old 01-07-2019, 07:53 PM
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To give a general answer to the OP's question I would guess that those who collect or are interested, and have old S&W antique revolvers ,
consist of a high rate who do shoot them on occasion. As well as a few who shoot them rather regularly.

Most of these old guns can be found in less than desirable collector condition because of the finish on the gun. There are however a lot of very shootable guns with worn finish and very good mechanics. The key issue is to make sure you have the correct ammunition. Most chambered for either .32S&W or .38S&W can be shot using modern ammunition still purchasable and loaded down to pressures that the old guns will tolerate. Other calibers are generally a hand loading of the cartridges in order to not exceed pressures that the gun will safely allow.


I have some shootable .32 Rimfire ammunition but it is far from plentiful and costly to purchase. It generally sells on the aftermarket venu like gun and ammunition auction sites. It's NOT cheap. Like $2 a round and up. (sometimes way up)
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