a few weeks ago i bought this smith and wesson 44 RUSSIAN. What do you think ? i am new member of the forum i don't speak english veru well . Serial number is 12XXX

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Welcome to the forum. That is a beautiful gun! And I understood you just fine, which I can't say for some of the native speakers on here.

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The best I can with what I got

Hi from North Dakota

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John

Welcome to the greatest forum on Smith and Wesson firearms on the web.
Now about that pistol.
Well done lad. I'd like to have one as nice as that one. When I first looked at your pictures I thought I was looking at a spider web in the barrel. Much relieved to see it was only light at the end of the tunnel.

Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! Your gun is a beautiful example of a Russian model. The purple color of the cylinder may indicate it was refinished at some point in its life. Whoever did the work did a fine job. Congratulations!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

thank you every body ! more pictures :

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Welcome! Technically, that would be called a Model 3 Russian, 1st Model even though it has the frame swell and larger trigger pin. The "Old Old" name is archaic and confusing at best, but the fact that a 2nd Model is called a 1st Model is also confusing. It seems that during the contract order for the 1st Model, a change was made to increase the size of the trigger pin and to add the notch to the hammer to lock the top latch in place when the hammer was at rest. Your revolver would have been part of the 20,000 contract guns made for Russia, most likely shipped in 1872. This Russian contract model is very rare in the US, with only few known.

The stocks of the gun are worn from sanding and are under-sized, not fitting the frame. The finish looks too fresh for original, since original finish guns from this era had a higher polish and yours looks flat. For some reason, re-blued guns often have a cylinder that turns plum color over time. I believe it is due to the metallurgy being different in the cylinders than the rest of the gun and not taking a blue as well. Adding nickel to steel, for example, toughens the metal but also makes it much more difficult to color.

Bottom line is that you have a gun that is has not been mistreated or damaged in use. It has very smooth metal and most likely just lost its bluing over time. Fortunately, the refinish did not include a buffing wheel since the stamping and the edges remain sharp, that coupled with the rarity means you still have a very nice and significant Smith & Wesson revolver.

I forgot to add this older Supica video showing a sharp no finish Model 3. Prices are old, so it might be worth more now.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Dang it!...I don't think I ever felt a burning desire to own a top break S&W, and now suddenly I do...Welcome to the forums...I'm sure we're all curious to know your location, and how you acquired that beauty......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

Thank you very much for your answer . I think the finish of the frame is the original one but worn ( usé en français ) there is some traces of rust with cold re bluing

I'm not convinced that the gun's been refinished. I've seen too many antique S&Ws that have had their cyinders turn dark over time and were original guns. Regardless, that a very nice find and an outstanding example. Ed

I think like you. I examined it with a watchmaker's magnifying glass and saw no trace of polishing. it is impossible to reblue (refinish?) without leaving a mark on the angles. only the stocks are used

Welcome to the forum! What a nice first post. I would be absolutely thrilled to find that gun in one of my local sources!

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Randy

A very skilled polisher can refinished a gun and not leave any detailed indications of their work if the gun has no blemishes, pits or other damages that have to be polished out, and therefore leave polishing marks. The old time S&W factory gun finishers could repolish and refinish a S&W and I would defy anyone to point out any evidence of a refinish ( excluding the refinishing stamps applied to the grip frame ) . Ed

Hi Ed,

Yes they are....See JMLA112's photos in Post#6...He's posted very clear photos of the Cyl. Face as well as the Right Stock Panel showing the Serial Number to be (12309)...Hope this helps until the OP gets back to you!!

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Masterpiece

S&W factory refinished gun are usually well done but they are never the same color as the originals IMO.

How do you say "drool" in your language?
That gun makes me drool. I would love to have one like it. And if it was mine I would shoot it if I could.

What do I think?
I think that is a beautiful old #3 that anyone on the forum would love to have. I would sure like to see that one in person.
Congratulations.

another hello from a former N Dakota resident (Fargo)

BAVER !
First shoot 25 mètres 05 /09/2021 with black powder VECTAN PNF2

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I am now sure it has been fully refinished

Frankly, although I think that you are right about the refinish, it was masterfully done to leave the barrel roll stamp so clear and all of the edges 'sharp.'

I believe that to be extremely accurate, you have a Model 3 Russian Contract (export) 1st Model 2nd series, indicated by the Cyrillic barrel roll ending in 'America' and the large trigger pin and trigger pin boss. The very first 'Russian 1st Model 1st Series' guns had the smaller pin and boss of the 1st Model American and 1st Model American Transitionals, and have much lower serial numbers than yours.

You are fortunate to have one with the original Cyrillic roll; Quite often, guns from any of the Russian contracts that show up in the US are 'rejects' that have had the Cyrillic roll removed and the US 'Russian Model' roll put on in its place, or were built to sell as commercial products and originally rolled with the US markings.

That's a GREAT acquisition, Sir!