Louis L'Amour and the S&W 44 Russian

[Win38-55]

A friend of mine who has read some Louis L'Amour books, told me today that there is frequent mention of the S&W 44 Russian in L'Amour's novels. Does anyone know which of the Model 3 S&W's he specifically mentions in his writings?

 

[Win38-55]

A friend of mine who has read some Louis L'Amour books, told me today that there is frequent mention of the S&W 44 Russian in L'Amour's novels. Does anyone know which of the Model 3 S&W's he specifically mentions in his writings?

 

[Deacon KC]

Tell Sackett uses a S&W in The Sackett Brand, but that's the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[Alpo]

Many times the Smith 44 Russian is mentioned. Usually followed by the phrase, "that new gun that is setting all the accuracy records", or words to that effect. But he never specifically calls out a model. I always figured it was the Russian model Russian.

With the sawhandle grip and the triggerguard spur. But don't know for sure.

 

[Win38-55]

Thanks, men, for the info. I'll pass it on to my friend, who wants an original similar to whatever was used in the books he really enjoys.

 

[JimSupica]

Originally posted by Alpo:
"that new gun that is setting all the accuracy records", or words to that effect. .

That makes me think it might be the New Model No. 3. Calling one a "S&W .44 Russian" makes sense in the same way a Single Action Army might be called a "Colt .45" without specifying the factory model name.

My understanding is that the NM#3 pretty much owned the target record books in the late 19th Century. -- Jim

 

[NKJ nut]

Originally posted by Jim Supica

My understanding is that the NM#3 pretty much owned the target record books in the late 19th Century. -- Jim

This is correct. The top shooter's like Ira Paine and Walter Winans used the NM#3. These two men also designed a special front sight for Target model #3's. The NM #3 was THE target gun back in the day. In Walter Winans 1901 book "Art of Revolver Shooting". He highly praised this S&W revolver.

 

[Win38-55]

Okay, keeping in mind L'Amour's writings are fiction and may not be entirely consistent with actual history, we might be able to get a historical context within which we can place the guns. When did the 44 Russian first win a target contest? If it is, indeed the New Model #3 version, then we could say it was the NM#3 being referred to in L'Amour's novels. However, once the 44 Russian became famous for accuracy, the average cowboy might not concern himself with which model of S&W was the most accurate. In his mind, maybe it is the cartridge, in which case any of S&W Model 3 series that fired the 44 Russian would be fine.

Of course, I doubt that L'Amour was thinking this detailed so perhaps the NM#3 is the best candidate, or maybe even the Model 3 DA.

Related to this question, does anyone know what years the different versions of the Model 3 came out (I'm getting one of two of those books that Jim Supica recommended, but that will take a while, as I'm putting them on my Christmas list). We're talking about the 44 Russian here so the ones I'm interested in would be:

-2nd Model American in 44 Russian (1st model Russian/old,old model Russian):
-the ones with the finger hold spur on the trigger guard:
- NM#3:
- Model 3 DA:

Are any dates ever mentioned in L'Amour's novels? (I've never read one, but they sure do sound interesting.)

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
In the movie "Conagher" made from Louis L'Amour's book Sam Elliott (Conagher) used a Smith and Wesson .44 Break Top. If I recall correctly the S&W had a round butt with the spur on the trigger guard.
In the Sam Elliott Movie "Cross Fire Trail" Sam used a S&W Break Top also.
Jimmy

 

[flintsghost]

In FLINT, the novels namesake carried a pair of .44 Russian S&W's.

 

[JimSupica]

Originally posted by Win38-55:
We're talking about the 44 Russian here so the ones I'm interested in would be:

-2nd Model American in 44 Russian (1st model Russian/old,old model Russian):
-the ones with the finger hold spur on the trigger guard:
- NM#3:
- Model 3 DA:

With you current interest & plethora of questions you really need NOT to wait to get your reference books, if I may make so bold a suggestion. If you don't want to spring for them now, try inter-library loan. I would expect that most libraries would have a copy Flayderman's on the shelf in the reference section -- if you copy or make notes from about 5 pages of Model Threes from that book, it will cover your dates, quantities, and identification interests.

A generality that may be of help:
All Americans, Russians, & Schofields were made in the 1870-1878 era. Beginning 1878, the NM#3 (& it's related models) was the only large frame Single Action S&W made. The DA's were introduced in the early 1880's, but wouldn't be referenced as winning target competitions.

Jim

 

[CordWood]

In the first L'Amour western that I ever read, the main character wore 2 Americans. The book was FLINT.
Butch

 

[Win38-55]

Ha! I love this stuff. Jim, I'll check the local libraries, but I'm the kind of person who isn't happy unless he owns the book. These kind of books get read and looked at over and over again.

 

[Deacon KC]

Now, I've got to dig out the LL stuff just to read them all again!

 

[Alpo]

In Riley's Luck, Val is back east, and Bill Hickock gives him one, telling him, "It is a fine gun, maybe the best made, but I prefer the ones I've been using all along". I guess if you were used to shootin' Colt Navies, a Smith would sure feel strange in the hand.

 

[walnutred]

While L'Amour liked to mention historical firearms he used a lot of poetic license when discussing them. Some of his characters in the 1840 are mentions "quickly levering a new round into the chamber". I have owned a few Spencers in excellent shape and fired some them with both new and original ammo. I don't think any of them were capable of 500 yd shots on moving targets even if I had attached a computer aided targeting device.

The first L'Amour I deliberately read was The Ferguson Rifle. I think the first I actually read was A Man Called Noon.