Hey, out there. I'm new on this website. I thought someone might know something about a Top Break Pistol I just got, in the origional box. The box is marked " SMITH & WESSON
DOUBLE 44 ACTION
BLUED 5 INCH
The gun is in almost in mint condition with some minor surface rust around some of the edges of the cylinder. The serial number is 31137. The gun has about 99% of it's blueing. The bore and chambers look unfired. The case color on the hammer is about 99% and the trigger about 80%. The cylinder measures 1.425" long and I'm pretty sure this gun is a .44 Russian. The box still has the cleaning rod. Does anyone know what year this gun was made and what it might be worth? I would have posted some pictures but cannot figure out how to do it. Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bigboredoubles

Your gun is a S&W .44 Double Action, 1st model, aka:New Model Navy No, 3 revolver. It would be in .44S&W Russian caliber. It was shipped around Dec. 1894. If the condition is as good as you describe, with the original box & cleaning rod, it is worth $6000 to $7500 approx.

Thanks for the quick responce. I had no idea it would be worth that much. I was thinking maybe $2000.00 tops. If I can figure it out, I will post a picture later.
Thanks again,
Bigboredoubles

Here you go on posting pictures.
From bdGreen

I use Photobucket at 'photobucket.com'

It's free...

1. REGISTER

2. LOGIN

3. Have your image stored on your hard drive.

4. You will see a square empty box about midway down on your screen with a blue box with white lettering that says:

"CHOOSE FILES"

5. Double tap "CHOOSE FILES"

6. Browse to the directory on your hard drive where the image is stored.

6. Double click the image file name.

7. The file will automatically download and will now be stored on your Photobucket page. It will remain stored there until you delete it.

8. For posting to a forum go to the image of your choice. Below that image find the blue 'IMG code' line. (Pale yellow background box with fine black lettering.)

11. Place your cursor on the text 'IMG code' and tap the left mouse button one time which will turn the box background blue.

12. While it is now white lettering with a blue background press the right mouse button and select 'COPY'.

13. Open up a new post on the Forum or respond to an existing one.

14. Place your cursor in the dialogue box.

15. Press the right mouse button and select 'PASTE'.

16. The whole image title should be in the dialogue box with the brackets and [IMG] at the first of the string and brackets [/IMG] at the end of the string.

17. If you "Post Now", your post will have just your image. Now is the time to add your text. Just don't disrupt the format of the pasted image.

18. If your image is much too large you can go back to Photobucket and use their "EDIT" button to resize your image. Or, you can go back to your own photo editor for a resize and resubmit the image.

I find that if you size your images to 800 pixels wide you will get maximum page size without being too large. That is providing your picture was taken at a nominal size to begin with. If your picture started out smaller than that then leave it so it won't be distorted by a resize.

One word of caution. Once you have posted your pictures and submitted them to the post if you go back into Photobucket and delete the image all of your posts will lose that image.

Good Luck

bdGreen

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Here are some pics of BBD's revolver he was kind enough to email me. All I can say is "Wow!"

"Wow" doesn't say it all!

Oh WOW!!

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Hamilton Bowen or the crew at USFA just built that, right? That's a 120-year old gun? Oh WOW doesn't say it either. OH. MY. GOD.

Those pictures make me feel funny in my pants.

What kind of loads do you plan on shooting in it? You DO plan on shooting it. Don't you?

That's so beautiful I'd be afraid to touch it. The casehardening is as good as I've ever seen. Unbelievable gun.

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Stan

"Get off my lawn."

Just think... 100+ year old steel... Cracked forcing cone....bulged cylinder.....etc.

Not that any of this would happen, but "what if?"

If he really wants to shoot one, I've got a Frontier Model that I would trade....

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

I am a big "shoot them" guy but I don't think I would shoot that one. That gun is in shockingly good condition.

I'd sure like to see it up close and personal. I always wonder about a refinish when the condition of the box and the condition of the gun are so differant. I'm not saying it is refinished, just that I'd like to see it up close. That box is quite scarce and worth some good money even in the condition it is in. Quite a find.
Mark

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Mark Connot

I LOOKED AT THE GRIPS AND THE LOGO IS PERFECT AS IS THE CHECKERING.ALSO THE CASE COLOR IS IDENTICAL TO THE s&w LEMON SQUEZZER I HAVE AND I KNOW WHERE MINE WAS.

Incredible!! They are out we just have to find them!!

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Dom

Mark,
I wouldn't let that bother me too much. Over the years I've picked up several guns in really nice condition. When I ask the seller if he had the original box he said he did. It was in the basement or garage being used to hold various things like screws, drill bits,fishing lures or whatever.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Good lordy, thats in better shape than my 3 year old Uberti No-3.

I saw this Smith wondering around the Maryland Show in March. I liked the box but the gun looked to have some scratches under the finish on the right side. Not saying it is a refinish, just my observation.

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Terry
MerwinHulbert.com

Remarkable - if it's not a refinish, it's truly remarkable! Great SW

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... ed ...

Holy Moly! My jaw just dented the desk in front of my keyboard. How can anything that old look that good?

Just stunning. Now I have a new standard of good luck and timing to live up to.

David Wilson

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David Wilson

The lines on the right side of the frame are called stryations.(I know I butchered that word) If you look at really old guns, you can see these lines. It's what happens to old steel after many years. 115Yrs to be exact.
Thanks,
Bigboredoubles

That is the find of the century! Would you mind telling us a little more information about how you came in possession of the revolver. ie: gun shows, estate sales, auction, or whatever. Is this the only antique weapon that you own or is this a hobby that you have worked on for years.

I started a couple years ago looking for older and or antique guns and have found two from individual sellers. One was from an estate.

Stunning. If that is truly original I've never seen a picture of a better one. Not only would I not fire it but I would probably oil it daily for the rest of my life! Congratulations on this wonderful find. I too would like to hear more background on this. Did you buy it from some old lady that found it in her grandfathers old safe? "Oh I don't know dear...is $100 too much?"

Oh one more thing. Please get a factory letter for this. Its only $30 and this gun deserves full documentation

Outstanding! I have a few early pieces, but nothing to rival this beauty.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244