Identify 44 Double-Action First Model?

[mccunnguns]

Trying to identify this gun to sell for a customer. Not super knowledgeable in these older guns. Was checking my Standard Catalog 4th edition and I think I have a 44 Double Action First Model - (New Model Nave No. 3). I just want someone to confirm this for me. 44 Russian caliber?

6" Barrel, serial # 1634

 

[opoefc]

Welcome to the Forum. Yes, you seem to have a .44DA 1st model, also called a "Navy" model by S&W. Caliber .44S&WRussian. Serial No. 1634 was made. Aug. 2, 1881, and is an antique under ATF rules. It appears to be in excellent condition, with a lot of original finish remaining. The cylinder, barrel, latch and stocks should also have the number 1634 on them. Ed

 

[mccunnguns]

I measured the cylinder to 1 9/16", does this make it a 44 double action frontier in 44-40?

 

[opoefc]

That's a pretty early production gun to be a 44-40, however will the cylinder chamber a 44-40 round? Unfortunatle the production logs do not specify any caliber, until much later dates. Ed

 

[Oyeboteb]

Post us a good clear well lit image looking down in to the Cylinder chambers.

Once one is used to it, it is easy to tell .44-40 from .44 Russian, or, from other chamberings.

 

[mccunnguns]

Dropped a 44-40 round it and it fit perfectly. Here are photos -

 

[opoefc]

Yes, That's a 44-40 cylinder. You have a Frontier Model, A separate model from the Navy models, so revise the make date to Oct 4, 1887, as the frontier models were made in their own production runs and own serial numbers. Still an antique. Probably a 25% premium in value over a Navy model in similar condition. Ed.

 

[Oyeboteb]

Yup!

.44-40!

 

[Kinman]

Might I add, a nice one too.

 

[BMur]

Exceptional

Yeah,
That early (1887) to have that much bluing on the gun is exceptional and scarce.

Murph

 

[mrcvs]

Nice revolver, as previously stated, but to get my wife knowledge about firearms, we play a game called "What's wrong with this revolver?" and sometimes I bring up a photograph of a firearm with no problems and see if she agrees. There actually is a minor flaw with this one, which she picked up on and none of us did. There's a crack in the left stock extending through the S & W logo at the top of the left stock. I'm embarrassed...my wife put me in my place this evening.