1st model Russian value sought

[Ballarat]

Refinish

Hi All,
The gun has been examined and it has been refinished. Between the lock-up lugs atop the recoil shield there is a small 5 pointed star stamp.On the barrel assy in the left recess of the lockup there are four horizontal dashes in the same configuration you would see the four spots on a dice. The catch carries the number 8783 which matches nothing else on the piece. In front of the bolt recess and stamped under the serial number on the cylinder there is a capital D stamp surrounded by a three quarter circle. Anyone shed any light on those markings? I missed the star and dash markings, they are not easy to see.

 

[opoefc]

Ballarat, Mr. Roland Martyn is known to me and he is a very knowledgeable person on antique arms and his recomendations would be valuable in authenticating the gun. The markings you have discovered are the marks of the restorer/refinsher and the work was done in Australia, in my opinion, not at the S&W Factory. I can't tell you who applied the DC mark, but it was the refinisher, I'd say. The different number on the latch is because the latch is probably a replacement. The gun would not have left S&W with a different number on the latch. Breakage of the barrel latches on the Americans was a common problem, and at some time in the past that happened to your gun and a latch was salvaged from another gun to replace it. Quality refinshing, such as has been done on your gun does not really hurt the values all that much on guns as old as an American model. Here in the States I would estimate the gun is worth 75% of an original gun , in the same condition. I would still recommend you send for a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks to obtain the shipping information & destination of the gun when it left S&W. As you probably know, many were shipped to Australia as it was a favorite of the Colonial Police forces there. Your gun may be a nice piece of Aussie history! Good Luck, Ed.

 

[Ballarat]

OPOefc,
Many thanks your information sir. The person who viewed the gun was recommended to me by Roland Martyn himself. I do recollect reading somewhere that around 200 pieces came to Australia, ordered by the South Australian Colonial police. I will now be contacting Mr Jinks for a letter of authenticity, I have the form ready to go. Once again thanks your info.

 

[da gimp]

Hey Ballarat, sorry to hear it

I was hoping that you would luck out. You still have a neat old piece, that should give you many hours of quality shooting, and remains a pretty piece.

At the last large gunshow we went to in KC several years ago, a US Army Colonel, recently back from Iraq, gave over $8500.00 for an antique Winchester 73, that he asked my opinion on.


I sent him to Jim Supica for a 2nd evaluation, as it too rang bells for me. I haven't seen or talked to Jim since then to ask what he thought. We all have suffered buyer's remorse on a firearm or 2, I paid nearly a $1000 to much on a German Drilling,so I've been there too, got my t-shirt, as we say in the states.


Be safe, enjoy life, He gives us but one.

da gimp

OFC, Missouri Chapter (Old Farts Club)

NRA Life/Endowment

 

[Ballarat]

Gday da gimp,
Thanks your reply, I am not sorry that the piece has been refinished, she surely is a grand old sixgun. I paid a fair price for what I received. I will shoot her with soft cast projectiles behind Swiss 3F or a powder slower than Blue Dot as recommended by Kirk up in Canada. I bought it originally to shoot on special occasions but thought it was in too fine a condition to shoot. Was going to buy a Colt but came away with a Smith. Aint life strange. When I get Mr Jinks letter back will let you all know the details. I paid 4500 Aussie for her which equates to about 3600 US on todays market close of 80c US for 1 Aus dollar. I shall enjoy and treasure the piece and probably hand it on to my eldest grandson who loves anything Smith & Wesson.

Kindest Regards
Bob

 

[Ballarat]

Gday da gimp,
Thanks your reply, I am not sorry that the piece has been refinished, she surely is a grand old sixgun. I paid a fair price for what I received. I will shoot her with soft cast projectiles behind Swiss 3F or a powder slower than Blue Dot as recommended by Kirk up in Canada. I bought it originally to shoot on special occasions but thought it was in too fine a condition to shoot. Was going to buy a Colt but came away with a Smith. Aint life strange. When I get Mr Jinks letter back will let you all know the details. I paid 4500 Aussie for her which equates to about 3600 US on todays market close of 80c US for 1 Aus dollar. I shall enjoy and treasure the piece and probably hand it on to my eldest grandson who loves anything Smith & Wesson.

Kindest Regards
Bob

 

[da gimp]

Good for you Bob, Enjoy the heck outta it

& glad you've gotten the grandkids into shooting/collecting. I've heard that you guys have to jump thru terrible hoops to own guns now in Australia, and hope we in the States are able to avoid having it the same here.MidWayArms generally has plenty of empty cases for it 2.


It'll be a grand old gun to fire, I just wish we could find larger rear sights for the S&W model 3's, I love their balance, pointability & ease & speed of reloads, but these old eyes have problems with those small rear sights.

Be safe sir, enjoy life.

da gimp

OFC, Missouri Chapter