Exceptional 1st. Mod. DA, .44 Russian

[Exmilcop]

I recently acquired this pistol and while I had intended it to be a "keeper", there' is a lovely New Mod.#3 coming on the market that I'm lusting for so I may let this go. I have several folks up here in the great white north that love these as much as I do. The experts will note that it's an obvious refinish but very nicely and professionally done. There's no star by the serial on the butt so I doubt it was done by Smith & Wesson. Of note, the case hardening colours on the hammer and trigger are very nice and vibrant and I suspect original to the pistol, given it's overall condition. All serials match except the grips and the mechanics are perfect. The bore would rate as a 9/10 due to some slight spots of corrosion but otherwise very shiny with strong rifling so nobody's abraded it with bore paste or what not. Interestingly, there's a lanyard ring which I normally associate with a military or police issue but there's no other stamps or marks to indicate such an association. Maybe one of the experts can chime in and give an informed opinion why this would be on the pistol. I have a vintage Bucheimer holster that's a perfect mate for it. For now, enjoy!

 

[glowe]

Not sure if this is the one you are going to sell or the one you might buy?? I see no indication of a refinish on that revolver as far as I can tell. Sharp edges, perfect seam on sideplate, no dishing or buff marks, and the straw colors on the hammer and trigger are appropriate for a revolver that has not seen much use.

As for the lanyard ring, that one is factory and they were available on order. Most likely military or police, but I bet that there are lots of them out there ordered by a civilians as well. Handy extra if one is in the woods.

 

[Exmilcop]

Not sure if this is the one you are going to sell or the one you might buy?? I see no indication of a refinish on that revolver as far as I can tell. Sharp edges, perfect seam on sideplate, no dishing or buff marks, and the straw colors on the hammer and trigger are appropriate for a revolver that has not seen much use.

As for the lanyard ring, that one is factory and they were available on order. Most likely military or police, but I bet that there are lots of them out there ordered by a civilians as well. Handy extra if one is in the woods.

As always, I highly value your input. It doesn't show well in the pics (maybe in better light) but the barrel latch is the proper old nitre blue I've seen on high condition original S&W's. It's my sense that whoever did the re-blue was meticulous about ensuring most, if not all, of the prep work was hand done vs machines and (gasp!) buffing wheels.

 

[iby]

Howbout a pic of the top with marking's

 

[Exmilcop]

Bes

Howbout a pic of the top with marking's

Best I could do with my shaky old hands

 

[mmaher94087]

I'll join the club. I agree with glowe. I find it difficult to believe the revolver has been reblued.

 

[Kinman]

Here is mine that went back to the Mothership for complete refinish in the '50s.

https://imageshack.com/i/plL9U8ygj]

 

[Exmilcop]

Here is mine that went back to the Mothership for complete refinish in the '50s.

https://imageshack.com/i/plL9U8ygj]

WOW!!!! Just WOW!!! My wilderness carry piece went back in Aug. 1921. Cosmetically it's so-so, and the bore is about a 7/10 but the mechanics are perfect! I fabricated a better foresight that gives better pick up and puts the point of impact at my point of aim.

 

[iby]

Here is mine that went back to the Mothership for complete refinish in the '50s.

https://imageshack.com/i/plL9U8ygj]

Here is mine that went back to the Mothership for complete refinish in the '50s.

https://imageshack.com/i/plL9U8ygj]

RC's photos must use filters so you can't really see the true colors
He sold some VERY nice guns

 

[iby]

I got one from him too

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Here are some pics of my recent addition to my collection.
It is a S&W NM#3 DA in .44 Russian (this one has the longer
.44-40 length cylinder). This one I'm pretty sure has been
refinished but it is a nice job. The bore is easily 9.5/10 and
mechanically excellent.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[Exmilcop]

Hi There,

Here are some pics of my recent addition to my collection.
It is a S&W NM#3 DA in .44 Russian (this one has the longer
.44-40 length cylinder). This one I'm pretty sure has been
refinished but it is a nice job. The bore is easily 9.5/10 and
mechanically excellent.

Cheers!
Webb

That is beautiful! Sadly, in Canada that pistol is restricted because the ammunition is commercially available. To qualify as antique, the firearm has to be made before 1898 and in a chambering that's not on the list of current calibers. There is a list from the RCMP of current calibers for easy reference. I had an absolutely lovely 1st. mod. like yours, I believe it's referred to as the "frontier" model, also chambered in .44-40. I had to have it registered and then sent to a broker who had it de-registered and then sent to a US auction house since we're not allowed to buy, sell, or transfer a handgun now in Canada. It was one of the most beautiful pistols I've ever held and it had the less common target foresight on it. Some lucky guy in the states got it for about half of what it was worth up here.

 

[iby]

The longer cylinder in 44 Russian will not chamber 44 WCF
so it should be good to go

 

[Exmilcop]

The longer cylinder in 44 Russian will not chamber 44 WCF
so it should be good to go

Not quite accurate. The 1-9/16" cylinders were used on all the later model no.1's for ease of manufacturing so though the cylinders were the same length, the chamberings were caliber specific. The way I knew that beautiful frontier model was restricted was when I dropped in a .44-40 round and it chambered perfectly. Though it may not be very obvious on worn chambers there is a slight halo just back of the case mouth stop. That's a pretty good indicator. I managed to get a not bad pic of that.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

The longer cylinder in 44 Russian will not chamber 44 WCF
so it should be good to go

Here is a pic of a .44-40 in one of the .44 Russian chambers.
That is as far as it will go in.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[iby]

Thanks Webb
That's what I said

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Just trying to help.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[jeffrefrig]

Beautiful gun in the OP. That would be a nice one to fall across one day. Thanks for showing.

 

[Exmilcop]

Hi There,



Here is a pic of a .44-40 in one of the .44 Russian chambers.
That is as far as it will go in.

Cheers!
Webb

Bes

Best I could do with my shaky old hands

I got smart, set up the tripod so I could get a steady shot. Here's a good pic of the barrel markings.