Is this a Ludwig Loewe Russian
- Thread starter Breadman1
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Yes, your revolver is, unfortunately, definitely refinished. Note the soft edges to the sideplate, which reflects previous buffing and refinishing, as well as weak markings from buffing and refinishing.
Also note pitting with bluing in the pitting, which reflects rebluing after previous pitting.
Also note pitting with bluing in the pitting, which reflects rebluing after previous pitting.
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Hi. Great looking gun. Good pictures as well. The writing on the barrel is in Russian/Cyrrillic. I think I can make out Ludwig Loewe (with Russian/Cyrrilic spelling), and I am pretty sure it also reads Berlin and Germany.
I have no info on value. Sorry. First one I have seen an actual picture of. Only read about them so far.
Thanks for posting.
I have no info on value. Sorry. First one I have seen an actual picture of. Only read about them so far.
Thanks for posting.
Here's one that sold in 2018 for $1725. Not reblued, no pitting or heavy buffing.
Guess as to value, $750 if someone wanted it enough. Just a WAG.
Collectible Firearms for Serious Gun Collectors | Rock Island Auction
Guess as to value, $750 if someone wanted it enough. Just a WAG.
Collectible Firearms for Serious Gun Collectors | Rock Island Auction
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Around 2010 I bought a pair of Uberti No. 3 Russians used for $700 each or 75% new price. I think the Schofield and Russians are less popular for Cowboy shooting these days.
In the paperwork that came with my guns was a flyer about the different manufacturers of the No. 3 Russian. Not counting the Kyber Pass and Basque copies the No 3 was the most made military side arm in the world until WWI and the 1911 came along. We know how many S&W made, and Lowe, but Tula arsenal made so many without paying the royalty we will likely never know. But most bets are 3/4 million +++!
As I looked at the late 19th century handgun ammo, almost everyone in Europe used the 44 Russian Cartridge. The had different grain and shape bullets, Called them different metric sizes, and had different powder charges (mostly less!) but you could use most of them in a No. 3 Russian!
In my reloading I bought 500 "Top Brass" cases. A full 1/3 split on the first shooting! The second third split on the second loading, and the third loading aren't shot up yet but the are pretty much gone! Starline brass hold up just fine!
Ivan
In the paperwork that came with my guns was a flyer about the different manufacturers of the No. 3 Russian. Not counting the Kyber Pass and Basque copies the No 3 was the most made military side arm in the world until WWI and the 1911 came along. We know how many S&W made, and Lowe, but Tula arsenal made so many without paying the royalty we will likely never know. But most bets are 3/4 million +++!
As I looked at the late 19th century handgun ammo, almost everyone in Europe used the 44 Russian Cartridge. The had different grain and shape bullets, Called them different metric sizes, and had different powder charges (mostly less!) but you could use most of them in a No. 3 Russian!
In my reloading I bought 500 "Top Brass" cases. A full 1/3 split on the first shooting! The second third split on the second loading, and the third loading aren't shot up yet but the are pretty much gone! Starline brass hold up just fine!
Ivan
Pisgah
Member
You know, my guess is it might be arsenal. Many edges remain sharp and case coloured components remain as such. Maybe $1000 is a better estimate. I can't see it going for too much more than that, as unrefinished examples don't bring considerably much more, and I'm not a big fan of refinished revolvers, with rounded edges to side plates and bluing in pitting, etc.
Here's one with no original finish but not refinished that sold for $1525:
Ludwig Loewe Commercial Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian Copy, 1880s Antique | Lock, Stock & Barrel
Here's one that is refinished, and the refinish is such that the sideplate bluing is distinctly different than the frame bluing and case coloured components were erroneously blued, and it brought $2040 at auction. Described as "arsenal quality
refurbished". Despite the pre auction estimate of $2000 to $3000, for what it is, the hammer price of $1700 and sale price of $2040 in 2020 seems high and some Covid zaniness might be priced in, or someone was interested in it because of the Argentine contract.
Argentine No. 3 Third Model Russian Revolver by Ludwig Loewe
If I were to sell yours, maybe price at $1250 and accept a grand. Might have to go a little lower. If selling at auction, with seller's premiums, you might net as little as $750, in which case a sale price under $1000 in a private sale might be almost attractive.
I just don't see much upside long term to refinished black powder revolvers.
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In Europe (France) in this condition its price would be between 2000€ 3000€
moleary
Member
Given the interest, thought I'd resurrect this thread. Here is a GB sale on an original LL Russian that went for two grand a few weeks back...
Just a moment...
Just a moment...
If one compares the stocks of the sold gun to the OP's gun, you quickly see the gun in question has almost mint stocks and they fit just as factory ones. It would be good to know if there is a serial number on the inside of the right stock? I can not say that Russian has been refinished without a much more detailed and in-person inspection. I see what appears to be sharp edges in a out of focus image, no dishing of the sideplate, every pin & stud perfect, and very clear markings for a 150 year-old revolver. $2000 may be a low estimate for that revolver if ever sent to auction.
