NM#3 8" target.

Aussie Collector · #1 07-13-2022, 07:00 AM

Here is a recent addition. A New Model No 3 Revolver with an 8 inch barrel and target sights.
I have read on an auction site that these are extremely rare with no more than 50 to 75 made. Anyone comment on this or confirm it to being correct.

mrcvs · #2 07-13-2022, 09:02 AM

I have seen the only 50 to 75 NM #3 produced, but they seem to turn up with such frequency that it seems like more than only 50 to 75 were produced, plus the hammer price on them doesn’t seem to reflect the supposed extreme rarity. Perhaps this is a question for Dr Jinks?

Attached are photographs of my New Model No 3 with an 8” barrel, ex collection of Sal Raimondi. What a guy, I sure miss him!

glowe · #3 07-13-2022, 09:13 AM

I would say that it would have been extremely unlikely that anyone other than the factory would have made that barrel. There were only 3 documented in the SWCA database and all in 44 Russian. Also, they were all in the mid-35,000 range. It would be impossible to come up with the number made without factory documentation, so not sure how the auction house found the information. SCSW4 has no information validating the number made. I have seen letters that state numbers like that and could be construed as the total production, but it could be that 50 were sent out at once in the mid-35,000 range, since I believe there were more than 50 made?

One like yours was valued recently at around $6000 (images 1 & 2). They were sold with an optional shoulder stock as well (image 3). Supica & Nahas note that an 8" is worth 25% more than standard barrel lengths, so that indicates that maybe there were quite a few made??

Letter it!

mrcvs · #4 07-13-2022, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

I would say that it would have been extremely unlikely that anyone other than the factory would have made that barrel. There were only 3 documented in the SWCA database and all in 44 Russian. Also, they were all in the mid-35,000 range. It would be impossible to come up with the number made without factory documentation, so not sure how the auction house found the information. SCSW4 has no information validating the number made. I have seen letters that state numbers like that and could be construed as the total production, but it could be that 50 were sent out at once in the mid-35,000 range, since I believe there were more than 50 made?

Mine is in the mid 33,000 range.

Schof45 · #5 07-13-2022, 04:53 PM

Mine is serial no 32412, 44 S&W. Unfortunately Jink cannot find any information on it.

Aussie Collector · #6 07-13-2022, 07:10 PM

The serial # of mine is 33774 so within the same ranges as others.
In standard Catalog it mentions 25% premium for 8" and 10% for target sights. So I guess both 8" and target sights are rarer even more.

Interestingly a fellow S&W collector offered me more than I paid as he said he had all the NM#3 target variations except the 8".

rct269 · #7 07-13-2022, 07:45 PM

I count myself fortunate to be able to say I held one---one only in my hands once upon a time----CADA gun show in Lexington, KY---as near as I recall--------------------a looooooooooooooooong time ago. It was priced at substantially more than I had in my britches at the time.

Ralph Tremaine

mrcvs · #8 07-13-2022, 08:07 PM

Well, in a little more than half a day, we have four individuals who have posted NM #3 revolvers with 8” barrels. Potentially nearly 10% of total production is represented in short order. Which suggests to me that production, while uncommon, cannot be a mere 50 to 75 in number.

YMMV.

iby · #9 07-13-2022, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcvs

Well, in a little more than half a day, we have four individuals who have posted NM #3 revolvers with 8” barrels. Potentially nearly 10% of total production is represented in short order. Which suggests to me that production, while uncommon, cannot be a mere 50 to 75 in number.

YMMV.

Well, if you can't find 'em here, where then?

P.S. I don't think I have seen one with standard sights.
Anybody?

mrcvs · #10 07-13-2022, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iby

Well, if you can't find 'em here, where then?

P.S. I don't think I have seen one with standard sights.
Anybody?

Well, exactly, but to turn up nearly 10% of production, or even half that, in short order seems to me that it isn't that great a percentage of production, even if on this forum.

I have never seen one with standard sights. Again, I could be wrong, but I think all New Model #3 production with 8" barrel lengths is the Target variation.

mmaher94087 · #11 07-13-2022, 10:14 PM

I have seen one with standard sights. It was in the late '70's and I couldn't afford the $2400 asking price. As usual, when I scrounged up the cash, it was sold.

BMur · #12 07-13-2022, 10:47 PM

Collectors often say the same thing about rare guns. “ They keep showing up”! When you do the research it’s the same guns showing up over the years. Same serial numbers. Sometimes they show up looking better than they did 20 years ago. With fresh finish or even engraving but it’s still the same guns.

Murph

smokymd · #13 07-13-2022, 11:38 PM

I have 35637 - also 8 in. target.

John Claydon
SWCA 348

bcowern · #14 07-30-2022, 01:06 AM

I have NM3 with 8" barrel, target sights, SN 33,972.

Regards

wordsmith · #15 07-30-2022, 08:28 AM

I have NM #3, s/n 35304, a .44 Russian caliber 8" target model, blue with silver-plated cylinder and checkered grip straps. It is cut for, and has, an original S&W detachable shoulder stock with blued tang. Both are in their original green boxes. In addition to the factory letter it has ATF 'Gun Control Act amnesty period' paperwork dated 1968, affirming C&R status as a stocked revolver. This is the only stocked S&W I've ever seen that someone filed for amnesty on back in the day.

David

Club Gun Fan · #16 07-30-2022, 08:56 AM

I have NM#3 sn 32588 8" Target, blue in .44 Russian. It is in the original box. Shipped to Prescott, no address. It was given to me by my best friend Ernie Rice.

iby · #17 07-30-2022, 12:33 PM

In sure would like to see pics of the above mentioned revolvers

Schof45 · #18 08-01-2022, 07:44 PM

My New Model 3 8" with shoulder stock does not have target sights. It has serial no 33595 and was shipped from the factory on May 17, 1902 and delivered to William Read Co., Boston, MA. The records indicate that it was a special order, single shipment gun but it does not list any of the features of the gun. It has matching serial numbers on the butt, barrel, barrel latch and on the frame under the left grip. It does have ivory front bead sight.

iby · #19 08-01-2022, 10:47 PM

Thank you Petter

bcowern · #20 08-07-2022, 11:32 PM

Here is a pic of SN#33,972. Shipped Jan 9,1903 to Markt Company, New York City.

Regards

gjgibeau · #21 08-13-2022, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokymd

I have 35637 - also 8 in. target.

John Claydon
SWCA 348

I know a guy who would take that off of your hands if you decide to sell it