I looking for old or reproduction parts for a 1st Model Smith & Wesson #3 American. mostly some screws and other parts. Can anyone send help me find some parts for this revolver?
Best regards
RTA

Knee-Jerk reaction: Chris Hirsch is a WIZARD gunsmith----works only on Antiques--- is regarded as a S&W specialist. Google Chris Hirsch Gunsmith.

That said, his work for me was eight years ago--and he may or may not still be active. If not, he likely knows someone who is----and/or he may have parts laying around---or knows someone who does---and like that!

Ralph Tremaine

Try Colonel Charles Pate.
He is a Forum member.
I have a pair of grips

RTA, let us know which screws and what other parts. Someone may have it/them, know where to find them or a suggestion. Often these parts are interchangeable with other S&W models. Don't hold your breath though as these revolvers are 150+ years old and folks have been looking for parts for years.

__________________
Mike Maher #283

#5 Cylinder Pin Screw
#6 Cylinder Catch Screw
#7 Cylinder Catch
#9 Barrel Release spring
#16 Barrel Catch Screw
#17 Ratchet Pawl
#18 Ratchet Spring
#21 Barrel Pivot Screw
#22 Barrel Pivot Locking Screw
#23 Upper Trigger Guard Screw
#24 Cylinder Stop Spring
#25 Trigger Spring
#42 Rear side plate screw

I should ask why you need all these screws? What’s the condition of the rest of the revolver like? Maybe it’s a good one, but it’s also possible what you have is a parts revolver.

Some of the screws have damaged heads. Some items I want to replace to operate better, if I can get them?

Any damaged screw heads can be repaired with a mild weld.

Especially hard to find parts like the barrel pivot pin.

Murph

Hi There,


I was curious to see what responses would be offered. I feel for
the OP. I too, faced the problem of getting replacement parts for
old guns. Fifty years ago, this was my problem and it inspired me
to get into metal working.

Often, others faced with this situation will resort to acquiring a
"donor" gun to get the parts they need. Gun shows used to be
a possible source and at least you could talk to like minded peo-
ple that might have what you want. Today, there is the Internet.
You can make searches for parts; using different wordings and
different search engines. There are other things you can do but
they get more involved.

So, don't get discouraged and keep searching.



Cheers!
Webb

And don't lose sight of the super-star gunsmiths (such as the one I suggested earlier) who can very likely make pretty much any part needed---other than the insignificant stuff like frames and barrels, and such like. They can also repair broken parts like I had---and absolutely, positively KNEW could NOT be repaired, but he repaired it anyway---and you can't tell it was ever broken---even if I show you where to look!! Then you add in the fact I had it back inside of three weeks---and was charged a measly $75--which told me he likely spent no more than 30 minutes doing the job. Then again, maybe he was just showing off!

Ralph Tremaine

I agree with Ralph, the seven screws listed can be made. It's even easier if you have the originals to copy. The same goes for the springs. The difficult parts are the cylinder catch and ratchet pawl.

__________________
Mike Maher #283

Hi There,



Yes, Of course they can be made. S&W made them and so can
anyone else (if they have the equipment and training). Aye,
there's the rub. Most of the screws used on the S&W No. 3
American are not of a standard size or thread pitch. Unless you
can find originals, they will have to be made by someone who
has the knowledge and equipment.

By all means, contact gunsmiths and machinist and ask for a
quote. Sometimes, a gunsmith may even have some old screws
that may be just what you need.

BTW - The "Paw" isn't that hard to make. Now the Ratchet
itself, that is another story (and I assume that is what you
really meant to say).


Cheers!
Webb

Webb's pretty much on target when he says "and ask for a quote". Then again, first things first can be more important. The first answer you need follows this question: "Can you do it?"

My case went like this: I had a NM #3 Target---one of those made ONLY in .32-44 S&W or .38-44 S&W. It says that in ALL the books! Mine (#3914) said "38 WINCHESTER CTG"---stamped right on the barrel.

The letter said it "appeared to be a special order for a single unit". Oh, okay----then the cost doesn't really enter into the discussion, does it? The only question I asked was "Can you fix it?" The answers I received went along these lines-----exactly: "I don't know, but I sure would like to try." I don't really know why, but that didn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Then there was this response: "I know I can do it."

I couldn't care less about the cost at that point---didn't even bother asking---it needed doing-----just packed up the gun, and shipped it. As it turned out, the shipping (and the insurance!!) cost more than it did to fix the gun. I couldn't care less about that either.

Ralph Tremaine

Here's a little something I've learned about money. Almost each and every one of us is going to get some more money---tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after that. Its been like that right along.

Yeah,
Bottom line is “The Good Days of cheap labor and parts are GONE”!

You’re forced to be a do it yourselfer today or brace for shock when you find out what it’s gonna cost to fix it.

I use to get great piles of parts cheap. Now it’s $100 for a pile of worthless screws!

The days of a $50 repair job are dreams of yesteryear. It’s 2024 not 1990.

My home insurance use to be $750 a year. Now it’s $4000!

Murph

I did email Chris Hirsch, he emailed me back in just a short time and said he would not be available for several months to do any Gunsmith work, and he would have to make the items. which is fine for me. But I am still looking.
I thank everyone for their response and keep them coming.
I have the paper work from S&W for the revolver, and I would like to get it back together.
Thanks RTA

I don't know where you live but it must be a very expensive home

You'd think so, but it ain't necessarily so!

There's Florida---where the wind blows every now and then-----blows hard!

And then there's California with brush fires and mudslides.

And there's the Great Plains---where the wind not only blows, but it does the twist to boot!

A basic concept within the insurance industry is the premiums from the many go to pay the losses of the few----and leave some left over for the stockholders.

When the losses of the few become the losses of the many, then the insurance folks have to play catch-up-----or pack up and leave problem areas. Now that pack up and leave business doesn't play well with those folks who are elected to tend to things-----like appointing Insurance Commissioners in every state. And Insurance Commissioners (and the folks who gave them their jobs) are allergic to waves. Insurance companies are acutely aware of these allergies, and do their very best to not make any waves----lest they incur the wrath of those with the allergies----and their colleagues in states where the business works like it's supposed to. This group, composed of those with problems and those without pretty much stick together when it comes to regulating the insurance companies----that's their job----as "Regulatory Authorities"---and it's those authorities who grant rate increases. All that serves to hold the insurance companies' feet to the fire when it comes time to request rate increases, so you can rest assured nobody's ripping anybody off---never mind what it looks like to those whose premiums are somewhere in the stratosphere. Those folks have the misfortune of living where bad stuff happens----and keeps right on happening!!

I could go on and on, but that would take us into the realm of where confusion reigns supreme, and I'm not much on confusion---although you probably can't tell it from this so far.

Ralph Tremaine

Hi There,



Well, I live on the East Coast in the mid-Atlantic area and ever
since Sandy came through, my flood insurance has more than
tripled. Combined that with the home owner's insurance, I pay
from $7,000 to $8,000 a year. I've never made a claim either.


Cheers!
Webb