This dates to early 1900's in my family so would like any information you guys can provide including approximate value. Action works smoothly but quite a bit of rotational play in cylinder when locked, barrel is pitted considerably but rifling is strong. I can't find a serial number anyplace, "1874" in a rectangular box on butt behind lanyard swivel, roll marking on top of barrel is a series of patent dates followed by "Russian Model 3". Caliber is .44 Russian of course. Homemade holster is old and interesting piece I have no further information on it at the moment.

Hello Dean! It looks like a 3rd model Russian to me. It would be a commercial model, not military. The serial number should be on the butt next to the swivel. Also you'll find it between the arms of the latch and perhaps also on the barrel. Can't really give you a value but someone with a lot more expertise than me will be along soon to help you.

Guy

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Hello Dean, I like it alot. Its got character, not like some of this pristine **** you see. It may have been on the hip of a cattle Baron, working the range. Not on the couch playing video games. A real treasure.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

As Guy noted, that is a commercial example of the Third Model Russian. The Russian contract guns had Cyrillic stampings on the top rib. The stocks look dark for ivory. Are there rings visible at the bottom of the stocks? They also could be horn or bone?

The holster appears not that old and maybe Twentieth Century plus homemade.

As for value, the gun is less than 50% nickel, which affects the value, plus it is possible that the original factory configuration could have had walnut stocks. 44 Russians in Good or Fair condition would bring around $1000. I have some notes that indicate recent auction prices show from $950 to $1200 range in similar condition.

I forgot to mention that the revolver originally had a spur on the trigger guard. I think I can see where it used to be on the guard.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

The holster is not valuable.
The gun probably not more than 1500

Interesting piece of history. You mentioned that it has been in your family quite some time. While not extremely valuable as a collector, it must be valuable to you. Do you know anything of it's history, where it came from, who put that wear on it, etc.? I have a second model that is priceless to me 'cause I know how it got here.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

Yes, the spur on the trigger guard has been cut off, can see where it was. It does have an interesting history that goes back well over a hundred years and the owner was probably one tough dude. Short version of it's legacy for those who are interested:

The owner owned a bar in New Jersey, would had to have been late 1800's, shot someone and fled to Texas near the Oklahoma and Arkansas border area and changed his name. He was my aunt's grandfather. When her mother was 18 she received the pistol. It was passed on to my aunt's late sister and her family returned it to my aunt recently and she asked me to take a look and let her know what it is, value, etc..

You can just about imagine some guy on a horse late 1800's in TX/OK/AR area packing this. I suspect he never stopped looking over his shoulder after fleeing New Jersey and kept this close at hand. I believe it went to his 18 year old daughter when he passed away but will have to have a conversation with my aunt to verify that. She is in her 90's and mentally very sharp.

I grew up on a small farm in rural SW Missouri and know how those people lived, they hadn't changed all that much up into the 50's. They were very self-sufficient and if they needed something like a holster they tended to make it. I have things my dad made that reflect the same skills and methods. The leather is in good shape but I tend to think it is old and definitely looks like something that came from that part of the country.

Since it hasn't been said; storing any revolver in a leather holster will lead to further deterioration of the finish and metal. The acids of the tanning process (Tannic Acid) is in the leather and is detrimental to the metal and its finish. Tissue paper (Acid Free; preferred) stuffed in the holster will keep the shape of the leather holster and a light coating of oil will arrest the damage to the revolver.

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Mike Maher #283

Great story.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Love the old gun ,love the holster ,love the story ! If it isn't true it should be . Thanks for shareing.

What a great looking old #3! It may not be a minty collector piece, but it sure speaks to me! It's just got such a nice look to it.