Model 3 identification needed

[EdwardAnderson]

I have a Model 3 with serial number 28223 on the butt and 31906 on the cylinder. It has a fixed rear sight and a half round front blade. The stocks are bakelite, checked with S&W rosettes. handle butt is rounded with a lanyard ring. Barrel release is spring loaded. Is this a Model 3, Russian, New?

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

From your description it could be a New Model # 3 but
it could fit other models as well. Could you post a pic?

Cheers!
Webb

 

[Tom S.]

Yes - pics please!

 

[mmaher94087]

Sight unseen, I believe you have a New Model #3 chambered in .44 Russian caliber. Judging from the mismatched serial numbers and their range, I'll venture that your revolver is one of many sent to Japan around 1886.

 

[mmaher94087]

Edward, your New Model #3 revolver, serial number 28223 was shipped to Takata & Co., August 12, 1896. It was part of a 1558-gun shipment. The serial numbers in this shipment were 28111 - 29668. My references do not include the cylinder serial number 31906 but there is a good chance that a Japanese Armorer swapped cylinders with another later-shipped revolver. This is common among these Japanese shipped guns.

 

[mrcvs]

Pete Holder had one like yours at a gun show a few years ago, shipped to Takata & Co, I believe in 1896 as well. I was ready to close the deal until I noticed the cylinder didn’t match. Pete aggressively lowered the price but I didn’t bite. Perhaps I should have! Maybe this was commonplace with these revolvers, or maybe you now have the ex Pete Holder revolver.

 

[mmaher94087]

My reference only goes to cylinder 31877 at the time of publishing. My Artillery marked revolver has cylinder 31074. I had a list of mismatched cylinders until my hard drive had a fatal crash last year. Those numbers were not backed up at the time.

 

[iby]

My Artillery Model lettered by Jinks stated that my cylinder was from another gun in the same shipment which was common for Japanese NM3's.

 

[EdwardAnderson]

My thanks to all who responded. The revolver was left to me by my dad who served as an army ordnance officer during the occupation of Japan.

 

[iby]

Thanks for the pics