Looking for Info on #3 New Model

[Killer Kanuck]

Just picked up a #3 New Model so I figured I'd sign up and see what this distinguished group (too early to suck up

) could tell me about it.
I'm still trying to figure out the caliber but I figure it must be 45 Schofield or 455 Webley(bore slugs at .450 in the lands and .454 in the grooves - still need to make a cast of the chambers, but an empty 45 Colt case will fit). Barrel is 8" and it has British proof marks. Serial number makes it one of the last 600 out the door.
Anything else that I'm missing or need to know?

 

[Killer Kanuck]

Just picked up a #3 New Model so I figured I'd sign up and see what this distinguished group (too early to suck up

) could tell me about it.
I'm still trying to figure out the caliber but I figure it must be 45 Schofield or 455 Webley(bore slugs at .450 in the lands and .454 in the grooves - still need to make a cast of the chambers, but an empty 45 Colt case will fit). Barrel is 8" and it has British proof marks. Serial number makes it one of the last 600 out the door.
Anything else that I'm missing or need to know?

 

[cgt4570]

Very nice! With the British proofs, and so late, I doubt it's .45 Scholfield. That one is definitely worth getting a letter from Roy! That will tell you who it shipped to, when, and what caliber. (My .44 DA shipped to London in 1897 and has similar proofs)
It's probably too early to be .455 Webley. I would guess it is .450 Eley. From the pic, it looks like it might have one of the British style drift-adjustable rear target sights?

Chris

 

[Killer Kanuck]

It does have the drift adjustable rear sight. Unfortunately the serial number on the cylinder does not match the frame (although they have even wear). Could it be possible that it's mismatched because it was near the end of the run and they were using up the remaining parts?

 

[shooboy]

Cool gun. I don't have any info for you, but here's my buddy's Model 3, serial number 4xx. Hope someone here can help you, ShooIMG Code

 

[shooboy]

Crap, having trouble with my photos....

 

[cgt4570]

The drift-adjustable rear sight was a requirement for turn-of-the-century English target matches. Screw-adjust was prohibited for whatever reason. Colt Bisley's were originally designed for, and supplied with similar sights for that purpose.

Chris

 

[Buffalo Nichols]

I looked at your gun with the intention of buying it. Nice condition and some what rare issues 8 inch barrel british proofs and the drift adjustable sight. I was tempted until I saw the cylinder number did not match. I also found interesting the although a late serial numberd gun it is the short top strap model 1 7/16 versus 1 9/16 as were most of the late guns. I have owned several NM#3's over the years and in fact keep a data base for interested parties.

All that said I would venture the following opinion and this is only my opinion. The frames were manufactured before 1898 and probabaly not serial numbered at the date of manufacture, these guns were not shipped in any special sequence. My guess is the barrels, cylinders and other parts were manufactured as required for the existing orders but they would be serial numbered together as completed assemblies. They would be fitted, disassembled for finishing, then final finished and reassembled using the serial number to match fitted parts. Therefore I do not believe the factory made up a parts gun with mixed numbers.

As to the chambering my guess is since it is British proofed it may have originally been chambered for 455 Webley. Many of these old guns have had the chambers reamed out to chamber 45 Schofield by cowboy action shooters.

 

[Killer Kanuck]

Originally posted by Buffalo Nichols:
Therefore I do not believe the factory made up a parts gun with mixed numbers.

I can live with that. I bought it because I've wanted a single action top break Smith for a while, and I was able to get it for a decent price (I paid less than the previous reserves the seller had on the gun). It very well might have been converted to Schofield ammo - I trimmed some 45 Colt cases to 1.1" and they look like they'll fit fine with a 200gr pill on top. And RedDog Leather should have my custom Californian crossdraw rig finished in a couple weeks. Hopefully I'll get a chance to shoot her this weekend.