S&W NM#3 DA "Frontier"

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


I recently acquired a No. 3 DA First Model "Frontier." It is a 5 inch
in nickel. The serial number has a star at the end but I didn't find
any date on the grip straps under the grips. The barrel and cylinder
are serial numbered to the frame but the latch doesn't have any
number.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


There is a date engraved on the bottom edge of the left-hand
grip panel. The beginning I cannot make out but it ends with
JAN. 29. I say "engraved" because this wasn't a simple "scratch"
job. It looks quite professionally done. You can check out the
pics tell me what you think.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[Masterpiece]

There is a date engraved on the bottom edge of the left-hand grip panel. The beginning I cannot make out but it ends with
JAN. 29.

Webb,

What you're seeing is not actually engraved...It's a Patent Date molded into the Lower Left Stock Panel...If it were completely readable it would read Pat'd. Jan.29. 78.!! I've also attached a Photo so you can see first-hand what it says when in Pristine Condition!! Hope this helps!!

 

[Masterpiece]

The serial number has a star at the end but I didn't find
any date on the grip straps under the grips.

Webb,

As to the Frame not having a Service Date stamped on the Inside Grip Frame..."Very" few Revolvers returned to S&W for some type of work in that time period you'll ever see one!!

I also took notice to something else in regards to the Rework Star on the Butt...It looks to me to have been struck through the Original Finish!! To me I believe the meaning for it being there was the Revolver was likely back to S&W for mechanical problems or the like...Not to be Refinished!! Just my personal opinion...Not gospel!!

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Webb,

What you're seeing is not actually engraved...It's a Patent Date molded into the Lower Left Stock Panel...If it were completely readable it would read Pat'd. Jan.29. 78.!! I've also attached a Photo so you can see first-hand what it says when in Pristine Condition!! Hope this helps!!

Thanks for the response! I learned something today. Was this
patent date used on any other molded grips used by S&W? Or
does this date pertain to the No. 3 DA 1st Model?

Webb,

As to the Frame not having a Service Date stamped on the Inside Grip Frame..."Very" few Revolvers returned to S&W for some type of work in that time period you'll ever see one!!

I also took notice to something else in regards to the Rework Star on the Butt...It looks to me to have been struck through the Original Finish!! To me I believe the meaning for it being there was the Revolver was likely back to S&W for mechanical problems or the like...Not to be Refinished!! Just my personal opinion...Not gospel!!

I will have to clean the butt and see if I can determine if the
star was stamped over the finish. It is pretty obvious that it
was struck twice. Whether it was refinished when it went back
to the Factory, who could tell? The latch is not numbered and
I assume it was replaced at that time. The barrel to frame lock
up is rock solid (though the cylinder does have a little play on
its stop). From my limited experience, the mechanics work cor-
rectly in both double and single action. Case colors on the trig-
ger and hammer are very vivid (except where they rubbed the
frame).

Based on the general condition and the percentage of finish re-
maining, I assumed it must have been refinished when it was
returned to the Factory. Is there any chance there would be a
service record available and would a Historical letter disclose it?

Anyway, thanks for all the information!


Cheers!
Webb

 

[mmaher94087]

I'm agreeing with masterpiece, looks like the original finish to me. Could the rework star be associated with the unnumbered latch?

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I'm agreeing with masterpiece, looks like the original finish to me. Could the rework star be associated with the unnumbered latch?

I did muse that I thought the latch was replaced when it was
sent back to the Factory but I don't know for sure. But to re-
cap:

The latch is not numbered and
I assume it was replaced at that time. The barrel to frame lock
up is rock solid (though the cylinder does have a little play on
its stop).

I should amend the later statement. The cylinder does lock up tight
when the trigger is pulled through and the hammer falls. Even
on single action, the cylinder lock-up is firm when the hammer
is drawn back and cocked. I forgot to assess the influence of
the hand in the cylinder lock-up. Plus, there is a second cylinder
stop controlled by the trigger.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[iby]

1st DA

The finish looks original to me as well.
The grips for the NM3 also have the patent dote molded in.

 

[Masterpiece]

Was this patent date used on any other molded grips used by S&W? Or does this date pertain to the No. 3 DA 1st Model?

Is there any chance there would be a service record available and would a Historical letter disclose it?

Webb,

In answer to your first inquiry..."Yes" that Patent Date...If not worn away...Has been noted on Hard Rubber Stocks used on most all Models after approx. 1879 or so until it's use was discontinued!!

One other thing to take note of...The Patent has nothing to do with a Revolver Design or Change in itself...It pertains to a Design Patent only for the Gustave Young designed S&W Logo filed Jan. 29th,1878!!

To save you a bit of time searching...Here's a couple Links to discussions about it in past years that explain things fairly well!! There are several others although these Two Discussions pretty much cover it's background!!

Smith & Wesson patented Grips?

trademark logo

As to your second query whether or not anything would be noted by a search of the Factory Service Records...Possibly so although it's my understanding at the present time I don't believe the Historical Foundation has digitized those records for use in a Factory Letter or found by requesting one of their Deep Dive Searches...If someone knows otherwise I'd be very interested in hearing about it...As I'm sure many others would as well!!