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date of manufacture of a smith & wesson new model n3 target 44 russian

W

woodlander

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Hello.
I have recently acquired a nice S&W revolver, and would like to know its year of manufacture. Would you please help me ?
It is a new model n°3 target in 44 russian caliber. The serial number is 8351.
Here are a few pictures :
russia30.jpg
russia32.jpg
russia36.jpg
russia37.jpg

Thanks in advance to anyone who will give any clue.
 
Best guess---1878-1885----this from the "Standard Catalog". With any luck some folks with close numbers and actual dates be be along. (Mine's in the 30000's (1896), and no help at all.)

Ralph Tremaine
 
Welcome to the Forum. Your revolver would have most likely been shipped in 1879. It appears that your revolver is in a nickel finish, and, if so, it has been re-nickeled in the past, as indicated by the plated hammer, trigger, trigger guard, and latch, but a nicely done job. There also appears to be some light pitting under the nickel in some areas. If not plated, a very light color bluing remaining???
 
Thanks for these clarifications. Not being home at the moment I cannot check anything, but I'll do and report as soon as possible.
 
I know it's early in the morning after the night before, but what are what appears to be two small screw heads on the right side of the frame?
One just above the hammer stud and the other just below the rear sideplate screw.
 
Howdy

I have SN 154XX. It shipped on August 15 of 1882. The usual disclaimer has to be made that S&W did not always ship in SN order. Regarding the screw heads on the right side, I have no idea. These photos of mine show that all screw heads are on the left side, nothing but pins or the ends of screws on the right side. Sorry for all the glare in the photos.

framerightside_zpsad818c5b.jpg


frameleftside_zps5420b8cc.jpg
 
I did a little more searching and it is possible that the screws in question may be filling holes where a Kelton Safety would have been installed.
They don't look like they are in exactly the same position or size of the ones I have seen, but the Kelton was experimental, so there probably variations. However I thought there was an larger "hole" cut in the frame as part of the installation.

Maybe they started to install one and changed their minds before the hole was cut.

(Where's Uncle Ed when you need him???;):D)
 
I must admit I have no idea what the screws are for, and neither has the previous owner of the revolver.
The name engraved on the right side plate is "JW Roberts". I have no clue either to whoever he might have been.
Anyway, thanks for the research and the answers. I now know what I wanted to know.
All the best to all of you ! :)
 
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