Identify: Top Break Model 3 Russian mystery

[Humanfly]

This beautiful artifact has almost no identifying markings.

There is no removable plate above and to the rear of the trigger. It appears to have 5 screws in the frame. Four are visible in the pictures, and one is underneath at the rear of the trigger guard (not at the front of the trigger guard). There are also 3 pins visible.

I hope it's acceptable; I put the pictures on Imgur. Please let me know if that breaks any rules.

This has been sitting in my attic for almost a year, I got it at an auction knowing the cylinder hand was broken. I didn't actually think to look for a serial number until now, and was quite surprised. I'm wondering if this could really be the third Model 3

Would appreciate any feedback you might have.

I am probably not qualified to hold this bit of history; this was the second antique I purchased. The first was an old cut down Vetterli I picked up from an old Quebecer who was reloading many years ago.

The recent handgun ban up here in Canada spurred me to investigate antiques. I discovered that some old black powders loaded cartridges and began my search,

It would be so nice to have found something even more special than I expected.

Thanks for any feedback,

Cheers

Smith and Wesson Model 3 Russian what - Album on Imgur

P.S. Please let me know if I'm breaking any rules by posting pictures to Imgur

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! Linking the photos to a sharing service is fine.

This is well outside my area, but I believe this one is a foreign copy of a 3rd model Russian. These were made by other companies in Belgium and (as I recall) Spain. The main clue is the lack of the frame sideplate on the left.

Others will be along with more opinions.

 

[bibain]

hello
I think of a European copy, and probably Belgian.
Bulldog type mechanics without removable plate
The ELG has probably been erased.
The patents are wrong.

Sylvain

 

[RM Vivas]

Absolutely not an expert but I'd say thats a Patent Infringement gun.

 

[Jim Watson]

Agree, it is a Continental cosmetic copy of an Old Model Russian but mechanically different. There is a (star) T visible on the right side of the barrel, maybe the remnant of a Belgian proof mark. ML might be a maker's mark, a lot of these guns were made for the trade and would have either the dealers name or no trademark at all.