Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Antiques
o

Notices

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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-19-2021, 05:31 PM
Boulder350's Avatar
Boulder350 Boulder350 is offline
SWCA Member
New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Out West
Posts: 522
Likes: 1,229
Liked 957 Times in 280 Posts
Default New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight

Just won the auction for this New Model 3 with a bead front sight. Its very much like the one in the thread below from a few years ago.

New Model No. 3 - some questions

It looks like a NM3 target to me. The serial number falls in the transition zone from short strap frames to long strap frames. Wish mine had the really rare front sight like the one in the thread link above. That one has the Paine Bead, Modified for Shot sight which I have only seen in the thread above on a real gun.

I don't have the revolver in hand yet so I can't verify if its in 44 Russian or 44-40.

Whats interesting is they have the same type of markings on the bottom of the grips. Its almost like they were once together and that was a quick way to tell them apart. The serial numbers are only 49 apart.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Smith NM3 smooth bore - 9 19 21.jpg (159.0 KB, 81 views)
File Type: jpg Smith NM3 smooth bore front sight - 9 19 21.jpg (104.3 KB, 62 views)
File Type: jpg Smith NM3 Smooth bore hammer - 9 19 21.jpg (83.6 KB, 59 views)
File Type: jpg Smith NM3 smooth bore butt - 9 19 21.jpg (80.4 KB, 68 views)
File Type: jpg 20210919_151917_01.jpg (49.7 KB, 56 views)
__________________
Mark
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 09-24-2021, 08:10 PM
Boulder350's Avatar
Boulder350 Boulder350 is offline
SWCA Member
New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Out West
Posts: 522
Likes: 1,229
Liked 957 Times in 280 Posts
Default

The revolver arrived today. Mine chambers a 44-40 shot shell too but its to long for the cylinder. Barrel is serial numbered to the frame. No serial number on the rear sight for some reason. Looks like a sister to the other revolver. My guess its a target model that once was a 32-44 or a 38-44 based on the short ejector housing and the low serial number. Mine looks like it was refinished too with the factory markings being fairly light. No date stamp under the grips from a factory re-work.

Already sent away for a letter.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20210924_175940.jpg (127.0 KB, 34 views)
File Type: jpg 20210924_175947.jpg (90.5 KB, 30 views)
__________________
Mark
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 09-24-2021, 10:11 PM
mmaher94087 mmaher94087 is offline
SWCA Member
New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 4
Liked 2,494 Times in 1,296 Posts
Default

I'd guess that it is a .44 Russian. Can you show a picture of the cylinder bores?
__________________
Mike Maher #283
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 09-26-2021, 03:19 PM
Boulder350's Avatar
Boulder350 Boulder350 is offline
SWCA Member
New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Out West
Posts: 522
Likes: 1,229
Liked 957 Times in 280 Posts
Default

Here are a couple of pictures of the cylinder. It measures .470 at the back and .443 at the front. The barrel bore is .437 on both ends. The cylinder has slight steps in it for a bottle neck cartridge. The cylinder on my frontier NM3 looks the same and has the same measurements on the back and front. It looks like a 44-40 chambering to me. Have been looking for shot cartridges on the internet that would function in this gun but haven't found any yet. The serial number is 3600 range
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20210926_125852.jpg (44.3 KB, 22 views)
File Type: jpg 20210926_125834.jpg (50.4 KB, 17 views)
__________________
Mark
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #5  
Old 09-26-2021, 04:42 PM
mmaher94087 mmaher94087 is offline
SWCA Member
New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight New Model 3 Target with Bead Front Sight  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 4
Liked 2,494 Times in 1,296 Posts
Default

Sure looks like .44-40. The "..slight steps in it for a bottle neck cartridge." cinches it. The .44 Russian has a distinct step in the cylinder.
__________________
Mike Maher #283
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
(FOUND) WTB front sight screw for 1939 Officers Model Target adjustable front sight moosedog WANTED to Buy 0 06-09-2021 07:09 PM
Gold Bead Front Sight on 3-1/2 Inch Model 27-2, NEW PICS--SEE POST #29 Bullseye 2620 S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 37 12-15-2017 06:33 PM
.38 M&P Model of 1905 3rd Change 6" Blue Target w/gold bead front sight - 1915 THREEDFLYER S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 33 09-17-2017 03:20 AM
Model 21 Gold Bead Front sight? TAROMAN S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 3 11-19-2010 05:31 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:32 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)