I have been toying with the idea of converting a shooter grade prewar 38/44 into a 44 Special. Has anyone done a like conversion. Hamilton Bowen seems to be the "go to" guys for this type project. Do you guys have any idea what their timeline for such a project would be? I figure cost would be in the $1100-1400 price range. Anybody had recent experience with a similar project? Your thoughts!

My thoughts are sell the 38/44 to someone who wants an original 38/44 and buy a 44 special. Not trying to be a smart a** but there are a lot of people on this forum including me who will buy an unaltered 38/44. It's your gun but think about it.

__________________
Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

I read these threads and always wonder why? Without much effort you can come across a 44 3rd in that same price range. I know it takes some time and effort, but probably not much more than sending your gun off and waiting. I have no idea what final configuration the OP is looking for, but without too much looking you can probably locate the configuration you're looking for. Maybe the exception would be a long barrel gun because 3rd Targets are really expensive. The OP here didn't specify Heavy Duty or Outdoorsman so I just kind of assumed Heavy Duty. Or maybe call Dave Keith and see if he will part with one of his creations.

If the OP is looking for a 4" 44 Target, things get a bit more complex.

__________________
Dick Burg

I have a Bowen 45HD built from a transition 38-44 5". This was the description on his website in November 2008:

Smith & Wesson .45 Colt Heavy Duty Model: Built on an early 5-inch post-war gun with the long action and its especially finely shaped hammer. End-float, yoke/ejector alignment and timing adjusted as needed. Tuned and taller front sight blade pinned in and regulated for Black Hills cowboy type ammo. The original barrel is re-bored and the cylinder re-chambered with our small-body/small-throat re-armer for best performance. Completely rebuilt and hand filed and finished. Hammer and trigger re-colored. A more elegant and graceful gun if less purposeful looking than the 4-inch guns. Price is $2095 with delivery early in 2009.

The Bowen 45HD arrived in February 2009. So only three months for that one. But it probably had been a work in process for months before he posted it for sale. I haven't seen 45HD's posted anywhere for quite a long time. I wonder how many he made....
Gila's Bowen 45HD Transitional.jpg

My other Bowen is a pre-war 38-44OD converted to 44HE 3rd Target 5" with Fishpaw ivory stocks, a highly detailed project that took over a year to complete. Not by me, but by forum member 230grfmj, who sold it to me five (5!) years ago next week. It's a one-of-a-kind beauty!
Prewar .38-44 OD .44 conversion.jpg

Then there's keith44spl....

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

.

As Burg says,

Sometimes a man has to do what he jest wants to do....

Outdoorsman now a 5" .44 Special


A HD, now a 3" .44 Spl.


Another HD, now a 4" .45 Long Colt



With a few more scattered about here and there.


.

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Dig those pre-war magnas!

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Hamilton Bowen is something like a year wait and very expensive.

You could buy a pre 21 for what Mr. Bowen charges.
I know because I asked.

Emory

__________________
Hard To Kill

I had it done in about 1990. First I had ran across just a model 21 5" barrel at a gunshow a few years prior. Kept my eyes peeled for a cheap HD. I found one in 4" in about 80% for around $165s in about 1985. I had a gunsmith friend rechamber the clyinder to .44 special and swap barrels, nothing else, no refinish. This one I might get refinished some day but I am not in a huge hurry to as I own 7 fine various .44 specials. This one shoots fine and is my knock around gun that I carry a lot on quad rides etc. I am showing it with stags but have the original grips. I dont have that much in the gun the way I done it, also it was many years ago and my smith wasnt a big name guru. I doubt I have a total of $300s in it.
Now would I do it again? Not if I could find a nice 24-3 or similar. Not at what guru`s want to do it. That is not unless you are well heeled and dont need excuse`s to lay out the money for a personnal project that you get satisfaction out of, but you should know up front you wont get your money out of it. Many years ago I also had a .357 blackhawk converted to .44 special. There too it didnt cost near what it would today. Here they are.

I'm in the 'buy-the-gun-you-want' camp rather than cutting up an original something else. Have Bowen do a spiffy tightening, action job and/or re-finish if you want a showpiece or accurized gun. But why deplete an already limited and fixed supply of original guns to make into something else that already exists?

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

I am fortunate enough to have both had several guns converted and also have several originals. The converted guns came first. For the last 40 years ,I have had,off and on, guns off to various gunsmiths being "worked" on or customized to something else or to be better for the intended purpose or use. At first it was 45 Gov'ts to Swenson, Heinie, Brown, Novak, and Bill Laughridge at Cylinder and Slide. Revolvers went to Tom Killhoffer and Andy Cannon, as well as Larry Kelly. Then the caliber conversion struck, fueled by the cover shot of an Ivory stocked HD converted by Hamilton Bowen on either American Handgunner or Guns{memory escapes me}. I could now have my 45Colt fixed sight N-Frame service revolver,what's not to like. At the time 38-44 HD's were cheap and not very much in demand by collectors, off several went to Hamilton for conversion to 44 Special and 45 Colt. With these in hand the interest was awakened for originals and the hunt was on. One only has too look at Onomea's and Keith44Spec's conversions to appreciate how neat they really really are. The same reason men and women "customize"cars is the reason we customize guns, to have exactly what we think is the best, and quite frankly ,that is reason enough. I won't argue whether it is a sound dollar value, only that it is very enjoyable for those of us that do it. Right now I am heading to the range to shoot my 1949 Win. Model 70 customized by Mike Lau of Texas Brigade Armory to duplicate the USMC Vietnam era sniper rifle complete with an Inch and one half 8 power Unertl scope . Gentlemen ,if it brings you enjoyment and peace of mind in this very tense world and time we live in, then it is a good thing.

My suggestion would be to "toy" with the idea for a bit longer and perhaps look around for the equivalent gun either already converted or as a factory model so you can see the financial implications of your proposal. In the same time and for the same money, you might be able to find the same gun available on the market. As others have said, what you want is/was a factory model and what you have is a fairly desirable piece in its original configuration. I used (and highly recommend) Andy Horvath to build "Project 616" for me, and used a Model 66 no dash I already owned as my "donor gun." I have absolutely no regrets, but if I hadn't gotten in a bind for timing would probably bought and used a 66-1 instead. Note that these are at least one or two tiers lower on the desirability and collectibility scale than your proposed 38/44.

You asked about the time frame... this is another consideration. Expect to wait a minimum of 6-12 months to have done what you wish. Project 616 took just over 6 months and most knowledgeable folks tell me this was a relatively quick turn around. Both HB you mentioned and AH I mentioned have done many of this conversion and are kept busy doing similar work pretty much every day.

Bottom line is that you have to decide whether the end product is worth the time and money it is going to cost you, and the additional value of the donor gun. If you only have a mild interest in owning this variant or are in a hurry to have it, I would advise against it... if you really want this gun just this way and are willing to devote the time and money to own it, I would say go ahead. It's your call.

Froggie

Project 616

Tom:

Your Bowen .44 is an Exceptional gun !
The grips are amazing as well !
I kick myself on a regular basis for passing on it !



Jerry

__________________
.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

This question comes up all the time. You will hear from those who weep over the destruction of an old piece they wouldn't give a nickel for. Then you hear the "it ain't cost effective" crowd. Then comes the "the you can always find just what you want crowd" but believe me it's not always that easy.

I have only had one conversion done myself. It is an Andy Horvath .357 Blackhawk to 4" .44 Special done 20 yrs. ago...****ger was not making .44 Specials and didn't until a distributor commissioned some recently. The .44 Special created by Bowen that Gilabender shows was built for fun and because you cain't hardly ever find one.

I own 4 Bowen HD conversions(3 45s and a .44 Special) which I bought already done from others. See I'm a guy who doesn't like to wait.

So when all is said and done, do what makes you happy and to heck with what any of us think!!

__________________
Bob.
SWCA 1821

It will take well over a year, in part because the folks who do the barrel boring for Bowen are backed up. I spent the $$ to convert a 4" 629-4 to 45ACP. It's too heavy for the purpose, and I might have been able to find a 625-4 MG in that time for (a LOT) less than I spent. BUT: the gun is set up the way I want it with sights and all, and it shoots way better than I will be able to do again (old age, damaged eyes). The workmanship is excellent, and the whole Bowen crew are a class act. Decide what you want, and the time line you are willing to accept, and plan to spent a BUNCH on the work (well over $1K, probably $1400-ish, in addition to the cost of the revolver).

What I did was impractical to the point of unwise, and expensive to the point of stupid. I did it, and can't complain. As a realistic matter, I'd advocate looking for a .44 special on the forum that will matches what you want, pay what it takes to get one, and sell the 38-44 to fund it. However, a lot of what we want and do isn't about practical. If it were, most of us would only have a couple of identical 9mm glocks or M&Ps, 2 identical BCM ARs, 2 identical shotguns, and several thousand rounds of ammo for each. I tend more to that side, but I do get jealous when I see a certain moderator's pictures of his M27s. I also liked the photos shown above in this string - not my thing at all, in most ways, but all nice.

__________________
NHI, 10-8.

Well, I wanted a really, really nice, fixed sight, 4 inch blue .45 Colt. I wanted it to look a bit old, no modern sight colored inserts or such. I wanted a shrouded ejector rod. S&W hadn't made many such sixguns.

As I bought candidate guns and sent them to Hamilton Bowen, he kindly examined each and told me what they lacked. I persevered and finally have, due to his chraftsmanship, EXACTLY what I wanted. Most money I ever spend on a handgun, as soon as I can afford nice ivory stocks, it will be perfect.

If you really, really want something, and the factories have already manufactured some, find one of them. If they haven't, find the parts and have what you really really want build. You will be glad you did.

This Bowen conversion was done in 2005. It took about two months and cost $1400..Originally a 5" pre-27 coverted to .44 special. It is the most accurate gun I own.

Jerry,

I would like to have seen that gun go to you as well; however it did go to another Forum member who is also a good friend of mine too, and it actually stayed right here in Arizona.

As I recall having Hamilton Bowen do that gun took about a year, and the net result was well worth the wait.

Tom

As ferrilmerril stated, the best way to get one is to collect the correct parts and find a good smith to assemble it.

I've owned several conversions: a M27 to .44 Special (first a 6 1/2", later cut to 5"), a M28 to 6 1/2" .44 Special, a Ruger OM Blackhawk .357 to 4 5/8" .44 Special, and a Ruger OM Blackhawk .357 to 5 1/2" .44 Special. The short Ruger was done with a Super Blackhawk barrel and the longer on with a Colt New Frontier barrel.

The M27 was done in 1976 by Walker Arms of Selma, Alabama and the other three by Alan Harton in 2005-2007.

If you have the funds, have one built for YOU. Otherwise, I would look for an original or a conversion that has already been built.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Some of us just like the idea of custom builds and & classic conversions and all that goes along with them.
Others fret over resale value before they even buy the gun 'they'll never, ever sell'.

Do what you want, someday you may not be able to.

.


.
Right thar it is Boys!

As that country crooner sang, "I ain't here for a long time...I'm here for a good time!"

Monies for spendin', wemen are fur luvin', horses are fur runnin' & pistols are for shootin!

Forty-Fours are for ridin the range




Get yur Cowboy on!


After I saw she was gonna be a shooter.....I had the ol gal doll'd up a might,



In closing, it's all just tool steel and wood or ivory....

Those 44 frame revolver jest cry out to be a big bore.

One man's 38 could be another's 44



.

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I really appreciate the discussion. Everything 44 has become my passion. I think I have a good idea on where I want to go after seeing all those fine examples of artfully done conversions. A custom 44 spl is in my future, something unique just for ME! Maybe engraved, to boot. Thanks guys!

thanks for all the good info

__________________
Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

Sounds like someone is getting ready for a REAL BBQ gun.
Go for it.

I fear the wait time and cost have both increased considerably.
And I'm sure for good reason. Ham Bowen does great work from what I can see and have heard.

Emory

__________________
Hard To Kill

Now you guys have done it.
Another one looking for S&W .44 Specials......

I need more and don't need the competition! LOL!

__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

He has a 4 inch 38-44 transitional that he is converting for me.

Should be ready this fall, $1,400.00

It will be a really nice piece.

Everyone whines on this conversion, but you see a lot more 38-44 than 44.

Just buy one and do it.

But, do not tell Aspenhill.

__________________
Twogunnes
John 3:16

Here is fuel for the fire. My seven .44 specials.

Jest a few in the remuda of .44 Special revolvers that have either been converted

to that chambering, or customized in some way to suit the end user some-where's along the way.



Although I own and use other caliber revolvers and pistols....

After a near half century of dallying with the .44 Special, I have found....She's really all I ever needed.


Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I had David Clements in Virginia convert a scratched up 3.5" 27-2 to .44 Special. I think he only does single action work now (?). His cost was about half of HB. Took a year.

I pondered it for a long while. The salient points to me were raised above as well: S&W never made a 3.5" .44 Spl, the 'cost effectiveness' would never be an issue because I'll never sell it, it serves my purposes, shoots well and pleases me. I had my initials engraved on it, and will leave it as a lasting legacy to my son.

I felt it married the best configuration with the best caliber - my PPP (perfect packin pistol)

I'm kinda likin' that scratched up 3 1/2" there Dave

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

I envy folks getting beautiful conversion work done but I'm pretty much stuck with DIY if I want something. So I offer 'show & tell' of this DIY project making a gun from parts. Frame is a 1917, cylinder is 1909 .45 Colt, barrel is from a 1880s SAA with RAC mark, grips ebony & ivory from material I got in Africa, working there in 1950s, décor mine & nickel plate outsourced.

Thank you all for sharing...........

__________________
dd884
JMHO-YMMV

I say its your gun.......do what you want with it!

The following are a few of the Bowen guns I've had built over the years and the costs associated with each. They all took between 6 and 12 months to build. I've also shown what they sold for so you can get an idea of what the return on investment was.

1. S&W Model 58 (Bowen), S3276XX (1968), 4” barrel, 45 Colt. Originally purchased in August 2010 for $1000. Spegel checkered extended boot grips $150. Model 25 barrel ($125) shortened to 4” and remarked, pinned front sight, barrel rib contoured, and gun finished in satin blue. Bowen invoice #3893: $2040. Total $3350. Unfired since built. Traded in September 2012 for five new rifles.

2. Custom S&W Model 58 (Bowen), N2732XX, 45 Colt. Model 27 cylinder, 1955 barrel shortened to 4”, pinned front sight, action job, barrel rib recontoured, and gun refinished to satin blue. Original cost $500. Model 1955 barrel $145. Spegel checkered extended boot grips $100. Bowen invoice #2223: $1800. Total $2545. With original box, paperwork and cleaning rod/brush. Sold for $2400 in December 2009.

3. S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty (Bowen), S734XX, 4” barrel. Roy Jinks letter says it left the factory on 3 May 1949. Converted to 44 Special, refinished and action job by Hamilton Bowen. Invoice # 7790. Spegel grips $85. Original cost $780. Custom work $1145. Total $2010. Sold in September 2006 for $2400.

4. S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty (Bowen), S1562XX, 4” barrel. Roy Jinks letter says it left the factory on 18 August 1958. Has Bowen action job and conversion to 38-40. Purchased in July 2005 for $1030. Magna grips $85. Bowen’s work $1411. Total $2526. Traded in December 2006 for Miltech M1 and Browning Citori 425 Sporting Clays shotgun.

5. S&W post-war pre-Model 20 38/44 (Bowen), S1552XX (1955-58), 4” barrel, 45 Colt. Purchased for $2000 in November 2010 including Roy Fishpaw exhibition grade walnut grips. Originally built in 9/8/2004, Bowen receipt #7336: $1895. Sold in July 2011 for $2399. Guns 3 and 4 were of identical configuration to the gun shown below.


6. S&W Model 58 (Bowen), N2737XX (1975-77), 4” barrel, 45 Colt. Originally purchased for $695 in October 2008. Spegel extended boot grips $150. 1955 barrel $125. 1955 barrel shortened to 4” and remarked, cylinder bored to 45 Colt, pinned front sight and barrel rib contoured, and gun finished in satin blue. Bowen invoice #2079: $1581. Total $2551. Sold in May 2013 for $2600.

7. S&W Model 520 (Bowen), N5576XX (1979), 4” barrel, 45 S&W. Originally purchased for $700 in February 2009. Spegel extended boot grips $185. 1955 barrel $150. 1955 barrel shortened to 4” and remarked, pinned front sight, barrel rib contoured, cylinder chambered to 45 S&W and gun finished in satin blue. Bowen invoice #2439: $1435. Total $2470. Sold in July 2013 for $3000, with 1000 rounds of ammo. This configuration (shown in photo) is very similar to the guns described in 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9.



8. S&W Model 520 (Bowen), N5581XX (NYSP, 1979), 4” barrel, 44 Special. S&W Performance Center Master Revolver action job and Performance Enhancement Package. Bowen’s work: barrel shortened to 4” and remarked, pinned front sight, barrel rib contoured, and gun finished in satin blue. Originally purchased for $800 in January 2007. Model 29 barrel $125. Spegel Makassar Ebony extended boot grips $90. Total $2500. Bowen invoice #2255: $1494. Sold for $2599 in May 2013.

9. S&W Model 58 (Bowen), N2721XX (1975-77), 4” barrel, 41 Magnum. Roy Jinks letter states it left the factory on 9 May 1978. S&W Performance Center Master Revolver action job and Performance Enhancement Package but with full strength springs. Originally purchased for $995. Spegel checkered extended boot grips $150. Model 57 barrel $125. Model 57 barrel shortened to 4” and remarked, pinned front sight, barrel rib contoured, and gun finished in satin blue. Bowen invoice #2663: $1370. Total $ 2845. Not for sale.

Just sent a Model 14-3 to Hamilton for a simple retiming and throat honing job. Projected turnaround is 6 months. According to him his is VERY busy with "package jobs". See his website for what those are.

Keith

WOW !
Now I know where all the Model 58s went.

Back in the Golden Age (1970s) when used guns were cheap and replacement barrels available, a friend got the DA .45 LC itch before the M25-5 showed up. He found two 1950 .45 Target barrels and fitted them to a M27 and an M28. Bob Snapp rechambered the .357 cylinders. The guns looked good and shot well, although he had to watch .45 LC OAL in a .357 cylinder. He did another with a 1955 barrel which was not as cosmetic because he had no way to remachine the wide rib and fair it in with the topstrap, but it was a great shooter.

He is since deceased. I wish I could find one of the guns as a memento.

As a 38/44 collector, I just cry when I see all those great 38/44 sacrificed.

Yes they are your guns, but it is still sad for me to see.

__________________
SWCA 1646

You should be happy as a clam. Each one I modified and others modify makes each one you own that much more dear and special. Every collector's dream. Collecting is after all about exclusivity.
Keith

That is true if you are finished adding to the "pile".

If you are still accumulating, every one lost is a travesty that drives up the demand and increases the scarcity of the really good ones left.

__________________
SWCA 1646

I normally look at it this way. If i have someone want to do something along the lines of this. Do you know that you will be taking away a lot of the collector value by doing this? A: Yes i fine with that(cool its your gun). I may offer other ways as buying a project gun or non matching donor gun for project.

-This is how i look at it with personal projects. If its a numbers matching nice piece i just do basic non aversive restore: clean, polish refresh. If its a low grade numbers matching and not overly rare/scares i would consider a full on restoration. It also depends on situations. I have a Pre War 38/44 that was my grandfathers duty pistol. Im probably going to restore it down the line as i will never sell it and id like the family and future generations to enjoy it. It has no collector value in the sense it is priceless as far as not selling it. Many times if done right a low grade pistol can be given enough curb appeal as a shooter to offset the low grade after the refinish and custom work. Look at something like a King Super Target, it has not factory collector value, as back in the day it was modified now look what they bring. Having someone like Bowen do work could have same outcome.

-Do what you want man, just do it well and research your options.

Good Luck

USNRigger

Travesty? Oh, I think not. What fun would you be having as a collector if it was no challenge to find just the right piece? No, I'm convinced that each of us out there who believe a pistol is a blank canvas upon which we will craft something very special - an expression of what we think is "the ultimate" - has no real effect on you as a collector. However, hacks hurt us both. I leave you to collect yours to keep as Messrs.' Smith & Wesson intended, and my fellow customizers and I will continue to build truly unique and wonderful pieces of shootable art. Having said that I agree with the thought that IF you can get there via a different albeit less "objectionable" path, such as when I converted a Model 27 to 44 special rather than using an Outdoorsman, then we should avail yourself of that route.

My advice is manage your expectations. There will always be more of those that want to customize and modify than there will be of those like you - die hard collectors capable amassing large collections of largely the same gun. And by doing so take them out of circulation so there will be fewer people able to enjoy them.

Keith

It's your gun. I say do what you want with it! It sure would make a nice .44 special!

Ya know there Peter,

That they, (handguns) are all just steel and wood,
it's not like they're something that should be revered.

All of us ol timers and users of side arms, know for a fact that the 44 frame should be just that chambering.

I few say, oh leave those ol revolvers to us collectors, don't violate em by conversion....

The new production revolvers can't hold a candle to a good
conversion of an older revolver built by a true craftsman.

Cry if you like, but those of us that know the 44's & 45's are grinnin' ear to ear when we put em to use...
And smile all the to the bank when we ever decide to part with one.

This once doggy ol HD, now get a lot more holster time as a 44 Special and it's a dandy shooter to boot!




That is all for now......


Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Here is a link to more altered firearms...............

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/...-firearms.html

__________________
LEX ET ORDO

I purchased this conversion awhile back. Blued 38/44 to 44 special. They do pop up from time to time. I got it on GB and even though I probably paid too much I don't regret it and its fun to shoot. Previously I had communicated with HB about a conversion. The candidate gun I considered for conversion probably would not have been suitable according to HB. So that's a factor to consider as well.
Also I sent these two HD's to Fords to nickel them both. Both were pretty rough finish wise so I figured I did not have much to lose. I suppose I lost whatever collectors value they had but I think they sure are pretty

Mike

Attached Images

IMG_0713.jpg (149.0 KB, 77 views)

Years ago HD`s and colt SAA`s weren't considered the holy grails that they are today. Both were considered good candidates for customizing ideas.
Remember there was a period of time that you could hardly find a nice .44 special back then. I could be wrong but after the model 29 came out for some time I dont think smith even had a production 44 special available. Thats why skeeter skelton was having colts, smiths and rugers converted.
This also can get into the re blueing battle. If we talk about collecting old concourse antique cars you know darn well they have been repainted.
No, I wouldnt convert my HD today, but today I own a total of 7 44 specials. Some of them showed up after I had the HD converted.
I think next to never can you expect a conversion to be financially a good idea, (except for the guru`s that do the work).
Now if you have money to where it isnt a factor and want something different, go ahead.

Feralmerril's right ya know...........

In the seventies when ya couldn't find a 44 Special....We built our own.

Even with Heavy Duties and model 28 police trade-ins in the average
60 to 75 dollar range, what with nice 27s could be had for a few dollars more.

Most excellent candidates for a 44 Special or 45 Long Colt build.

I built several for my own self and never lost a penny on a one of them.

Quality always wins out....
Even today at what seems like a costly venture, it is just inflation rearing it's ugly head.

A used-up/poorly refinished HD even at todays prices are purty cheap in the whole scheme of things,
they have very little 'real' collector value and the conversion to another 'more desirable' chambering will
breath new life in to it, an enjoyable pleasure for the owner.

My most resent custom 44 Special was built on a RM, it's priceless to me, thank you.





.

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Remember I think it was bain & davis had that 357/44? I think it was a 44 mag necked down to .357. Never hear of it lately. I suppose the ballistics would be like a 357 maximum or similar. By the way, a buddy called me from california and claims he knows about a gunshop that has 3 or 4 ruger 357 maximums brought in by a widow who has something like 300 fine old guns new in the boxs!

i have 2 1911 colts that were done by the Colt Custom shop. each one took well over a year and i probly couldnt sell them for what i have in them. thats ok, i dont even plan to sell them.

I keep waffeling between chasing down a 58 or using a HD i have for a rebore ever since i read the American Handgunner with his 45 HD. i also have a 28 i could part out and rebuild

be prepared to wait.

Another .44 Special, came to me a beater outside, nice inside in .44 Russian. I did my TLC on the
outside & reamed the cylinder a little to shoot .44 Specials.