.44 Russian 1874

[4rush]

So, I picked up an old Smith over the weekend. It was just something I found so neat that I traded my scoped AR for it! Now I am trying to find out as much info as I can about it because the internet is a bit misleading. I will post as much info as I can and try to attach pictures as well. I'm new so forgive me if I don't fully get the upload process yet. Ok, on to the details: it is stamped with a serial number and 1874 in a box on the butt, underside of the break lever is marked with a serial and it almost looks like a JA or a JJ, the latch on the frame has what appears to be a Y on it, it has some type of charachter or proof mark after Russian Model on the rib, the spur on the trigger guard has been ground off but it appears to be an old modification because it has patina like the rest of the gun, and has a cylinder and barrel release, there are no kryllic or US markings on it. Any information that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated! Thank you,
Scottie

 

[4rush]

pics

I hope this works

 

[4rush]

Also it looks like someone may have carved their company? Into the handle and filled it with lead or something...

 

[Ballarat]

Looks on the butt that it once had a lanyard ring which would probably be correct. Need to know the serial number and all markings on the gun . It could have been a reject from the second Russian contract. There should be Russian inspector stamps on the gun. Rejects were often sold into the civilian market. Serial number was usually stamped on the butt and Cylinder though dont see a number on the butt. Any Cyrillic lettering on the barrel would have been ground-off and the English stamping applied. What is the barrel length? measured from forcing cone to muzzle. The right hand grip if removed should also carry the serial number of the gun. Basically more details please. An interesting specimen indeed.

Others with more expertise than I will be along shortly to help out I am sure.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

There is something strange looking about the trigger. Perhaps it has been modified, perhaps replaced with a different trigger. The trigger should not be rotated so far forward. Perhaps it is broken. Have you tried cocking the hammer?

I am posting a photo of a typical Russian model. Note the appearance of the trigger.

I am also providing a link to a really good page discussing all the Number 3 S&W topbreak revolvers, including the Russian model.

Smith and Wesson Model Three revolver information

 

[4rush]

All of the serial numbers match and are 1581, on the butt near the 1874 stamp there is the number 4924. It must have had the trigger modified because it works smoothly, though I would not personally try shooting it until the timing is checked by someone more professional than I. When the hammer is cocked and you pull back on it, it locks up tight. It functions well other than the locking up. The barrel is 6 1/2" and I can't find other markings on it other than what looks almost like a 1 or something on the top-break latch. Thanks for the help to everyone!

 

[opoefc]

It appears to be what's left of maybe two 3rd Model Russians, with some strange features, such as the trigger, etc. Exactly where on the gun do you see the 1581 number stamped ( barrel, cylinder, latch, right grip, ??? ) It should also be on the butt, and if the number on the butt is really 4924, then you have a gun assembled from parts of two guns. Ed.

 

[Ballarat]

I had not noticed the trigger, but yes I see what you mean. Strange. No Russian inspector marks - strange even if rejected, some parts would have been accepted. Russian contract guns if I am not mistaken after the first contract early guns did not carry assembly marks as such, but were serial numbered on the different parts. Unsure what to think, but Ed you may have hit the nail on the head, a bits and pieces gun. Barrel length seems correct for that contract.

 

[4rush]

Its odd, I agree. My serial numbers on the cylinder, latch, and under the grip are all 1581, and the only place the 4924 is at is on the butt! That was my first thought as well, but with the numbers all matching except for the one oddball I am not sure what to think! I'm not sure what to think about the one oddball number that doesn't match, or the carving in the grip...

 

[4rush]

To be clear, the only markings besides serials I can find are: on the top break latch is a JA or JJ looking mark, a Y where the latch seats on the frame, 1 where the latch meets the top part of the frame. I can only say what the marks appear to be, not for sure what they are. The serial 1581 is stamped on the cylinder, on the latch, and under the grip. The 4924 is on the butt near the box containing 1874 and is worn like the lanyard ring has rubbed it down. I hope this is clear, and will help anyone in their troubles helping me. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to give their input and I can't express my gratitude enough as there are not any knowledgable shops around my area.

 

[vytautus]

The JA or JL doesn't look like this by chance Л ? If so it would be the Russian letter for L.

 

[opoefc]

4 Rush, Is the 1581 that is stamped under the grip, stamped on the right side of the back strap area of the grip frame and not on the butt area under the grip? I have examined about 1/2 doz. 3rd model Russians in my collection, both contract guns and commercial models, and some of the commercial models have reject parts from the Russian contract guns. Some of the Russian contract guns have no serial number stamped on the butt, but it is stamped on the grip frame back strap under the grip. It is my opinion that the J or JJ and the Y stamps are S&W inspector stamps, and the gun you have is partially made of parts from rejected contract guns and that the 4924 could be part of a 5 digit serial number, however the size of the number is larger than numbers stamped by S&W on commercial guns. The number has been defaced by some one in the past. It was not worn off by a lanyard swivel. The 1581 number is the original contract gun serial number and the barrel rib has had the cyrillic stamping removed by the factory and the commerial stamping applied. Measure the height of the barrel and rib about an inch behind the front sight. An original Russia gun with cyrillic markings will measure about .903 inches at that point. If the cyrillic stampings have been removed and the commercial stamping applied, the measurement will be little less than .9 inches. There is a lot of confusion about the Russian contract guns, the rejects and the commercial models. Stampings were always changing, as well as inspectors marks and their locations. Guns are always showing, such as this one, that are real puzzles, however by comparison with known examples. The Russian inspectors were extremely fussy arout the guns. If any of the guns shipped to Russia by S&W that had passed the inspection of General Gorloff and his staff and later failed to function when tested in Russia, it was curtains for the General when he returned home. The Czar did not tolerate any errors. Gorloff personally saw to the firing of 10,000 rounds of .44 Russian ammo. out of every 100,000 he ordered from UMC. If one round misfired, the entire lot of 100,000 rounds was rejected, as one misfire of a delived round in Russia meant the chopping block for Gorloff's head. Whatever your gun is, it's a bit of S&W history from a period when keeping the Russians happy ( they paid in gold coin!) was S&Ws ticket to economic survival. Too bad the US doesn't use that system for some of our military contracts! Hope this helps! Ed.

 

[4rush]

A few more detailed pictures

 

[Ballarat]

Think Ed has covered it. One interesting mark in your second pic of the cylinder number is the small round pip stamp on the ejector, that was usually applied by a S&W inspector. That just basically says the gun was proof fired and all was well. It may or may not have been applied by the same inspector whose mark appears in your fourth picture.