I have a New Model 3 style revolver that I believe to be chambered in .45 S&W, it unfortunately is not in very good condition, but I will be restoring it and am currently in the process of gathering its history. The serial number is 2787x, would anybody be able to help me find out how old this revolver is?

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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! The Standard Catalog of S&W says NM #3's were made in 1887-1898 with serials 20000-30000. Around the 27K to 28K numbers there were a lot of calibers made other than .44 Russian. So, it is possible you have one in .45 S&W. Have you tried inserting a .45 caliber cartridge or measuring the cylinder chamber diameter? You might need an historian's letter to confirm and establish the shipping date. Also, I caution you about doing any "restoration" on that gun. Anything you do other than repair action functions will likely reduce the value. That includes a refinish. Get a lot of advice from the experts here before you do anything other than clean it up well.

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Looks like a major project
Best Luck
Mike

So far I inserted the back of a 7.62x39 cartridge, which measures .445, and it fits into the cylinder well but not quite the barrel. I understand restoration can be tricky, so far I have already soaked the gun in rust remover as it was covered in rust, and unfortunately whoever had it before me treated the gun very poorly, the bridge above the cylinder is broken, and the hammer is clipped. I don't plan to sell it, seeing as it is a really old firearm I plan to fully restore it, make it look beautiful, and keep it down the line as an heirloom. Thank you for your help.

Jake, You have a long way to go on this relic before it ever becomes a shooter again. Having said that, I probably have over three dozen cigar boxes, each with a old S&W in it in various stages of "eventually, I'll restore this. " condition. I've even actually restored a few. Some I've had for over 40 yrs. Finding parts is the biggest barrier. In reality , your gun is a "parts donor" for restoring a similar model, as welding the broken top strap is almost a losing process as that will distort the iron frame and gettng the cyl "window" back to factory specs to headspace, etc. as correct is almost impossible. However, if you have a fat wallet, progress can be made and the end result is you have spent more than you would pay to buy a minty example of a Model 3. Good luck, however. You can order a factory historical letter that will tell you when this gun was shipped, to whom and it's configuration at the time, for a fee of $100. 99% of these went to S&W distributors . .45 caliber is an uncommon caliber for this model but some were made. The shipping records that a factory letter relies on for information will only say "45 cal" if the gun was shipped in a .45 cal , but not WHICH .45 cal. So you can spend time trying to figure out whether it was a .45 Schofield, a .45 Eley, a .455 Webley, .45 Boxer, a .45 Short, etc . etc. Your serial number range does lie in the range that .45 cal Model 3s were made & shiped Ed

Thank you for your appraisal.

Post us some well lit images looking in to the Cylinder chambers?

Also, some images showing the broken Top Strap?

This is the best I could get

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Looks like a 44 Russian cylinder to me.
That top-strap can be welded.
I’ve done it a few times. In fact I’m welding Several repairs tomorrow That include two blown top straps. It’s not an easy repair and it is time consuming but if the gun is worth it? I take the time to do it.
Your antique Smith to me would only be a Black powder shooter at best.
If it was a rare caliber? Then it would be worth the extra time to go the distance on the restoration.

See my rare long barrel Colt Lightning storekeeper? Tons of original factory finish and original gorgeous rosewood grips with case colors on the frame! Now this one is worth my time welding.

Notice the lesser grade antique Merwin barrel with damaged top-strap? (Cracked) But weld prepped. The only reason I’m taking the time to weld it is because it’s from a rare Police issue Merwin DA 38. Otherwise it’s not worth my time.

So you have to do the math on cost and time. Then what the project is worth once completed? So it’s up to you. You are looking at spending a lot of money to repair this antique Smith & Wesson!



Murph

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Thank you for your appraisal, if I do decide to repair it would you like to take that job?

That’s a shame with regards to that Colt Lightening. It would have been amongst the best out there with the early German silver front sight and rosewood grips. I have it’s Thunderer twin.

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Ian,
That’s an exceptional early Thunderer! These were actually my first antiques. Lightning, Thunderer, Rainmakers? Back when they sold for $125-$250. Way undervalued then so I stayed with that theme for some years. Learned the hard way how to fix them. Now they sell for quite a bit more! Especially in the condition your Thunderer is in!

Jake,
I would like to help but I’m full up with projects. One thing about collecting antiques? You always seem to gather at least a few fixers only because they tend to be very cheap. Now you need to invest in a good Mig welder! It’s fun and very productive!

Murph

That looks like .44 Russian Chambering.

Why do you think it is in .45?

Jake,
Just wanted to show you that it can be done. Welding the top-strap?
Notice the Lightning top-strap is now back on the original frame with no damage to the case colors? Perfect beed and penetration of the welds. That’s an example of proper heat setting, wire feed speed and gas mixture.

The Merwin barrel I did first and then went to second stage which is the removal of the excess.

The final stage is a dental dremmel polishing of the weld so it “ Disappears” completely.

Murph

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I was more or less guessing, but I'm sure you guys are right seeing as the cylinder has a taper in it, unlike the .45 cartridge which doesn't look like it tapers. (Sorry this message didn't embed like i thought it would, this was in reply to Oyeboteb)

Thank you, that result does look great. Unfortunately I have yet to learn how to weld, so I think I'm going to be seeing if any gunsmiths near me would be able to do this.