Help ID this pristine firearm

[Judgesherpa]

Hi
Just joined S&W Forum today.
Got this family hand me down gem last week.
Need help Iding it. Sent email to S&W but too excited to wait.
Serial #s match 3079

 

[Nickjc]

Taking a stab - much more knowledgeable folks than me - but could be a Model Number Three ?

Do you know the caliber?

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Judge and welcome. Go back and stand in line for some more hand me downs. That is a pretty ole S&W. Best

 

[Judgesherpa]

I think it is a new model #3 Target
44 Russian caliber is my guess...?

 

[Nickjc]

I think it is a new model #3 Target
44 Russian caliber is my guess...?

I was looking at those sights as well - standby - experts will be around to help you. (PS I am not one of them)

Nice looking family heirloom...... good for you to have it.

 

[Judgesherpa]

I took it to a gun shop.
They could not positively identify it.
They told me it was a very special firearm, it was in amazing condition, and do not shoot it. Just keep it forever...
That depends on the value I guess....lol

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Could be a New Model #3 Target. Very strange for it to have the Russian trigger guard. It has the characteristics of a target chambered in .32-44 or .38-44. Also, I believe it has been refinished at some point in its life.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. I am going to be contrary here, based on a couple of pictures, but I think you have a refinished S&W New Model 3. I took the liberty of enlarging a couple of troubling areas in your pictures.

First, is what looks like dishing around the sideplate. These parts were originally fitted while on the frame, leaving only a trace of a seam visible. Second, the hammer stud looks flat and it should be rounded and the pin hold below is dished with what looks like micro-pitting around the pin. Other opinions will come along and I would be happy to be proven wrong. Since it is a family heirloom, the condition does not matter much if you are going to pass it on to a family member down the road.

It is a very uncommon revolver with both the target sights and the spur trigger guard, but there is another image of the same model target revolver with the spur trigger in Roy Jinks book Smith & Wesson 1857 - 1945. I think a factory historical letter would be warranted, since many factory target revolvers were ordered by individuals and sent directly to them. Factory records would record who ordered the revolver. If it is in 44 Russian, chances are that it was manufactured the 1st year of production - 1878.

Check the left side of the butt-frame under the rubber stock for a set of numbers and does it have an asterisk near the serial number indicating a factory return and maybe a factory refinish?

 

[Nickjc]

It is a very uncommon revolver with both the target sights and the spur trigger guard, but there is another image of the same model target revolver with the spur trigger in Roy Jinks book Smith & Wesson 1857 - 1945.

Yep page # 190

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Gary, I agree on your finish points as I saw the same thing. I do believe it is a NM#3 Target because of the low SN with the later short ejector housing and single barrel address line. Most likely it shipped after 1900 and acquired the small trade mark stamp similar to the ones on the Ladysmith. The SCSW 4th says the Russian trigger guard was an option and adds a premium. The question for me is what caliber it is.

 

[glowe]

You may be right Guy. I forgot that this model was reported to have all frames stamped and manufactured before 1899, making all antiques. The question of when it was shipped needs a letter to be sure, but the low serial number frames would have been manufactured early in production as I guessed 1878 was the manufacturing date of the frame and not the ship date.

Perhaps the OP can measure the length of the cylinder? It looks like it might be a 1 7/16" to me?

 

[JSR III]

Welcome to the forum.

I know diddly squat about the older revolvers but I have to agree on the refinish thoughts. When I enlarged the photo showing the S&W emblem my first thought was that someone had buffed the gun but not S&W. I could be mistaken but enlarged it looks like there are streaks in the finish and the factory would never have done that back then.

One can normally be suspicious when a gun turns up in such good condition as these were usually used as tools and not collectors items so finding one in near mint condition is extremely rare.

It is a family heirloom and as such has value well above what its worth as a tool.

I agree that a letter might reveal some very interesting history as many times these guns were shipped to famous folks and not just the local hardware store. Shipping to a well known old time shooter would increase its value even if refinished.

Should you go that route, please update the story.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Judge, it is probably refinished some time in its past. It may have been Grand dads ole pistol hangin on a nail out in the shed and somebody got it freshened up a bit. It is still a gem. Best

 

[DWalt]

I agree with others that it is a New Model No. 3 Target, except for the unusual trigger guard spur. References give the SN range of these as 1-4333, with those above 3645 having the longer (1-9/16") cylinder length. These began production in 1887 and were catalogued until 1910. As noted, the frames of all No. 3 revolvers are considered by BATFE as having been manufactured prior to 1899. The real question is what is the caliber of yours? I'd think it would be .32-44 or .38-44. To me, it also appears to have been refinished at some time.

 

[H Richard]

I agree with most all of you, that it has been refinished at some point, and not too bad a job, but definitely not a S&W job. The Russian trigger guard is very confusing and really needs a letter to properly identify. You don't see too many target models of that vintage, and I am really curious as to the caliber.

 

[Judgesherpa]

Hello everyone, I just got home from work.
I regards to the finish....or refinish.
Prior to taking the pics, I oiled it pretty heavily with Break Free CLP
There are streaks from that application. I did not wipe it completely.
The cylinder measures 1 9/16
The barrel length is 6 1/2
The bore is super clean, and has great rifling.
This relic feels so good to hold!
Again, thank you

 

[Judgesherpa]

no asteric

 

[handejector]

Please take a pic of the rear of the cylinder with light shining through and we can probably tell you the caliber.
Do you have any 44 cal ammo? Even 44 Mag or 44 Special would be useful for trying them in the chambers. They won't go all the way, but if they go at all, it is 44 Russian caliber.
Take a closeup of the sideplate on the left side after you wipe it, and we can confirm the suspected refinish. It does appear to be refinished.

ALSO- a pic of the serial number on the butt would be useful.

 

[model3sw]

You may be right Guy. I forgot that this model was reported to have all frames stamped and manufactured before 1899, making all antiques. The question of when it was shipped needs a letter to be sure, but the low serial number frames would have been manufactured early in production as I guessed 1878 was the manufacturing date of the frame and not the ship date.

Perhaps the OP can measure the length of the cylinder? It looks like it might be a 1 7/16" to me?

I agree with the entire evaluation, but doubt if the refinish is factory with a sanded flat hammer axis stud and black vertical top posts.

Yep, longer cylinder, hmm.

Is there a secret about the Caliber. If it is in the .44 range try a .44 R and a .44-40 to know for sure. Could also be a .32-44 or .38-44.

Can also just be a put-together. Have to check if all numbers match. Reminds me of some later Jap contract guns that were ordered with the Russian trigger guard tang but those are usually later in the SN range.

BUT, you never know until you do all your homework !

Something like this with a single line barrel address ... at a "glance", would expect it to have a 5 digit serial number from toward end of the production range. Also check the mechanical condition.

Check the number on the butt, the face of the cylinder, the latch and the cylinder recesses (visible only with the barrel open and latch raised).

Remove the grips and take a look for any marking, numbers, etc on the flat part of the frame under the grips.

 

[Judgesherpa]

Theses are the serial numbers