Altered Mod.3 Russian

[Exmilcop]

I'm reaching out to see if I can gather more information on this thing. Obviously, the barrel has been shortened but it seems to be a professional job. The lanyard ring is probably also an after market addition. Overall condition shows its age but there's no coarse damage or obvious flaws. Timing, advance, and lock up are all good as is the extraction/ejection system. The trigger pull is very light which I assume is the result of a worn sear more than a deliberate gunsmith's alteration. The bore and chambers both show clear evidence of old black powder corrosion but the rifling is still strong. I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered something similar to mine. I've been over the whole thing with a magnifying glass and there's no stamps or marks making this attributable to a group or organization so I'm speculating if it was adapted for easier concealment or maybe, with the lanyard ring, a police force modification. Any input would be most appreciated.

 

[larkworthy]

At first glance it appears to be a 2nd Model American, Old Old Model Russian (OOR) or sometimes referred to as a 1st Model Russian, 2nd Variation. Naming on these is quite interesting.

Please share pictures of the butt with and without the grips and interesting to know if the grips match the gun. The serial number will help us narrow it down.

I really like these modified Model 3's. Here is one of mine in 44 American.

 

[Exmilcop]

Thank you Larkworthy! As requested, more pics. The lanyard ring is threaded in so it would obviously be possible for it to be removed or lost if not properly attended to. Interestingly, the barrel latch number doesn't match the frame number. As near as I can tell, it reads "B50" and that seems to be the same number on the cylinder.

 

[shown50]

Nice gun! I also like the cut down Americans. Here’s mine.
I wonder if the Frank Rice Smith on the stocks is the same one that was an American Western actor in the 1920-1930s?

 

[iby]

These shortened ones are pretty cool but does anyone have a Factory snubbie?
I don't recall seeing anything shorter than a 6"

 

[larkworthy]

These shortened ones are pretty cool but does anyone have a Factory snubbie?
I don't recall seeing anything shorter than a 6"

At least one of our members has a Nickel 5.5” that shipped to South America. That is shortest factory American I have seen.

 

[iby]

At least one of our members has a Nickel 5.5” that shipped to South America. That is shortest factory American I have seen.

RE: Charlie Pate's Book chapter 23
Factory records show lengths of 5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/4, 6 1/2, 7

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I like your 1st. model Russian (a.k.a. OOMR). In the early days, workmen
at the Factory used to stamp a "Fitting Code" or "Assembly Code" on the
major parts of the revolver (barrel, barrel latch, back of cylinder and on
the frame (under the grip panel on the right-hand side)). This fitting code
was usually a letter and number code but sometimes special characters
were used.

This code should match on all major parts if the revolver is all original.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[Blue dog]

A lot of the OMR were EXPRESS GUNS.
They Pre-Date the Wells Fargo Schofields by several years. Purchased by US EXPRESS and AMERICAN EXPRESS in large lots. The barrels are often found cut.
I haven’t been able to find too many of these.
Please look for removed markings primarily on the backstrap.
I have this one in my collection;

 

[Exmilcop]

In response to Blue Dog, there's no evidence of removed marks or stamps anywhere on the pistol, or at least none that I could find. I do find the added lanyard ring an interesting feature that may indicate some form of organization's use.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

The lanyard ring looks like the type the Factory would install.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[mmaher94087]

The lanyard ring appears to be what was available from the factory around 1918. The early style is often called a "D"-ring from the shape. It's curious because the early ring is screwed and pinned into the frame but the later 1918 type is only pinned so it can swivel in a circle.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I will have to disagree with you Mike. The very first lanyard ring didn't
have that distinctive "D" shape that the ones that came out soon after.
Here is a pic from Charles Pate's book Smith & Wesson American Model
In the US and Foreign Service, Pg. 220



This lanyard looks like the one on the OP's Revolver.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[mmaher94087]

Webb, I have seen that style ring on early Smith & Wesson's. Where I have seen them, I always thought it was a replacement. I can't dispute the provenance, so I stand corrected. The statement: "The lanyard ring is threaded in...", I took it to mean pinned like a Model of 1917. .45 Hand Ejector. Thanks for the correction.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Don’t worry about it. I got caught on this once before.

Starting with the Russian contract, S&W started putting a threaded hole in the
buttstrap. This was for a lanyard to attach but if no lanyard was ordered, a round
head screw was put in the hole.

Cheers!
Webb