Clarification on Third Model Russian

[whudson]

Good evening folks,

Stumbled across this interesting example of what appears to be a USA produced Third Model Russian. From what I can make out, it bears commercial markings on top, but then has the Tula arrows on the underside of the hinge (sorry I don't know the proper terminology). I'm a WW1 collector but I'm having trouble finding definitive information about Russian/Bulgarian/Montenegrin marks on these things that shows they saw military service.

Thanks in advance,

-Wyatt

 

[bibain]

These arrows are used to position the toothed wheel of the extractor.

sylvain

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


The arrows were an attempt to simplify the re-assembly of the
extractor. S&W first started this on the 3rd. Model Russian. The
Tula arsenal didn't start manufacturing this model until later,
after S&W stopped making this model.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[whudson]

Ah ok, thanks fellas! I looked at some other commercial examples after posting this and saw the arrows on them as well.

So it seems like this is firmly a commercial model, oh well- the hunt for a genuine Russian military Third Model continues!