NM#3 Long Strap - What Is With The Serial Numbers?
Hi There,
I have a late serial number NM#3 in .44 S&WR with 8" barrel
and target sights. After receiving it, I notice it was a long strap
model.
Now, from what I know, the long strap models were numbered
in their series (either Frontier model, 32-44 and 38-44 models,
etc.) but mine is numbered in with the rest of the 'regular' NM#3
production. What does the Fraternity say about this situation?
According to Neal and Jinks the NM3 started using some long frames about serial number 30,000. The NM3 targets in late production, starting approximately with serial number 3644, also had the long strap.
I have read about the 38-44 and 32-44 being switch to the long
strap frame. Also, I've read that S&W converted 2072 long straps
to 44 S&W Russian and sold through Takata and Co. to Japan. But
these retained their serial numbers from their respective series.
I've just never read that the long straps were incorporated into
the general serial number series.
Given that I understand the question, the regular, everyday NM #3's (numbered from 1 to 35796) started having long straps around #30000.
The NM #3 Targets (numbered from 1 to 4333) also started having long straps around #3645.
The Frontier Models numbered from 1 to 2072 all had long straps.
I think (best guess) that's what's what with long straps.
That said, I thought all the NM #3 Targets were chambered in either 32-44 or 38-44 S&W---right up until #3914 came to live here. It has "38 WINCHESTER CTG" stamped on the barrel, letters as a NM #3 Target, and as appearing "to have been a special order for a single unit".
The bottom line goes like this (to quote the good Doctor Jinks): "They would do anything anybody would pay them to do." Not only that, but they didn't necessarily make a big deal out of it---as witnessed by the fact the factory records (and the letter) make no mention of the caliber. This they explain thus: "There are no notes in the records on this revolver--------and the revolvers in this serial range are all .38-44 Smith & Wesson-------".
Yep, all but one---at least!
It figures the guy who bored the holes, and the one who stamped the barrel knew what the caliber was---and nobody else cared.
NM#3 Long Strap - What Is With The Serial Numbers?
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