.44 Double Action versus .44 DA Frontier

[dpotter1341]

So I've been reading through the Jinks "History of Smith & Wesson" and many posts here but I am still confused on the difference.

Surely a revolver with the longer cylinder AND in .44-40 is a Frontier and I gather the revolver has to be in .44-40 to be considered a Frontier.

A .44 Double Action with a longer cylinder but in .44 Russian would be considered a Double Action First Model. The longer cylinder was only produced for the ease (or cost) of production, but not as a model distinctive feature.

All correct? Or have I missed something?

Dan

 

[BMur]

Id models

The 1886 Smith & Wesson catalog identifies both models seperately. The introduction of the Frontier model was in 44/40 WCF caliber. Also included the rare 38/40 caliber on the longer frame and cylinder.

The industry was streamlining models to include "all calibers" on one frame. That required the short frame to become extinct. Since these models weren't selling very well that change took a long time to happen since left-over frames remained in stock for a long time.

The long frame in 44 Russian actually might be kinda scarce. I have one in a very late serial number.



Murph

 

[dpotter1341]

Thanks for that information, Murph.

So long frame in .44 Russian are rare? I think that is my problem. Once the Frontier was introduced in 1886 all were in .44-40 (or .38-40) so what happened to the .44 DA in Russian? Why the two serial ranges unless all long cylinder in .44 Russian were .44 DA and any in .44-40 were Frontier models, each with their own serial range?

That should mean no .44-40 would be found in the 20,000 to 54,000 serial ranges. Obviously I'm confused at this point.

All the above serial data is, I am quite sure, well known by you collectors, and even probably has been corrected since (my source of) 1977/1983 as printed by Mr. Jinks.

But his book does not exactly clear up the confusion of same revolvers with 1 9/16" cylinders (from about 1886) unless .44 Russian are DA and .44-40 are Frontier.

My apologies for beating this horse.

Dan

 

[glowe]

Here is a good recent threads that may help you out.

.44 Double Action Frontier…I think?

Help in setting the record straight

 

[BMur]

Production clarification

Dan,
Both models were different frames. Both continued production until 1913. However, when the short frames ran out, the 44 Russian was manufactured on the long frame. Simple as that. When exactly that occurred is a guess.

The 44 Russian caliber on a long frame isn't rare but it might be scarce and only found in the late serial number range. Towards the end of production.

You have to remember also that all the frames were manufactured prior to 1898 so there was a stock pile of them on hand. Being assembled 15 years after the last frame was manufactured tends to breed oddities in production.

Let's add some more fuel to the fire. The caliber was well obsolete by then being replaced by the 44 Special smokeless round by 1907. So the entire process of manufacture with these two frames is an oddity that followed no solid pattern. Especially towards the end of production.

The factory was simply using up what was left.


Murph

 

[dpotter1341]

Thank you all for the very interesting series of replies, and knowledge. This was my first S&W top-break purchase and seems I got at least a good shooter. I'll have to letter this one to know where and when of shipment.

serial 19995 4" nickel which seems original.

Dan