Model 3 Russian
- Thread starter cobretti
- Start date
opoefc
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Order a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks, Factory Historian. That will tell you the shipping date, when, where and in what configuration the gun was when it was shipped. Be sure to include good photos of ALL the markings and stampings with your application for a factory letter. There are many variations of the 3rd model Russian, with different serial number ranges, including clones and copies, so good clear photos are a must, if you want the correct info. Ed.
The Model 3 Russian Third Model was only manufactured from 1874 to 1878, so only a 4 year run. Your revolver looks to be re-nickeled due to the trigger and hammer having a nickel plate.
OP
cobretti
Member
Yes, it's been renickeled, an engraver I showed it to thinks it may have been done by S&W back in the 50's. Should the whole trigger housing assembly be blue or just the trigger? I may have to get a quote from Turnbull's for this one...
Normally, the trigger, trigger housing, and hammer are case hardened, not blue or nickel. I would doubt that S&W would have nickeled the whole gun, but never say never. If your gun has been sent back to the factory, it should have at least one or 2 marks that signify this. First, most have a star stamped near the serial number on the butt. Second, it you look under the left stock, you should find a 3 or 4 number stamp. Something like 1150 would mean the gun was returned to the factory on November 1950.
If the barrel address and serial number marks are in good shape, your gun would be a candidate for restoration. Personally, my preference would be to leave the the stocks, barrel, frame, and cylinder as is and simply have the nickel removed from the trigger, trigger guard, and hammer and re-case-harden the parts. The nickel shows age and that would actually give the gun more value than a fresh refinish in my opinion. Some character and signs of use are good things on a 140 year old gun.
If the barrel address and serial number marks are in good shape, your gun would be a candidate for restoration. Personally, my preference would be to leave the the stocks, barrel, frame, and cylinder as is and simply have the nickel removed from the trigger, trigger guard, and hammer and re-case-harden the parts. The nickel shows age and that would actually give the gun more value than a fresh refinish in my opinion. Some character and signs of use are good things on a 140 year old gun.
OP
cobretti
Member
I don't see any marks near the serial number (458XX) on the butt, but under the left stock it appears to be stamped 4666 or 4668. The right stock is stamped with the serial number, but the barrel, cylinder and latch are stamped 7512. Were these replaced? Why only 4 digits if so?
The barrel address isn't too bad and ends with "Russian Model". I wonder how it looks under the nickel...
The barrel address isn't too bad and ends with "Russian Model". I wonder how it looks under the nickel...
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S&W used assembly numbers on their older guns up to the Model 3 Russian Third Model. Your revolver's parts should all be stamped with the last 4 digits of the serial number. Sounds like your barrel/cylinder assembly was matched up to a different frame. Is the number 4668 on the right stock or on the frame under the stock? Could be an ownership number of some sort.
OP
cobretti
Member
The 4666 or 4668 number is stamped on the bottom right side of the left side grip frame. The number stamped into the right side stock matches the serial number on the butt, but not the barrel, latch or cylinder. I guess the top end was swapped out at some point.
So if I have a renickeled, mismatched No. 3 Russian, would it be a crime to have it redone, only correctly this time? I really want to put ivory on it...
So if I have a renickeled, mismatched No. 3 Russian, would it be a crime to have it redone, only correctly this time? I really want to put ivory on it...
Cobretti, I saw it and 2 others similar, all equally in less desireable shape floating around the show. One guy and a really bad shape American transition and a 2nd American ... boat anchor, but the guy who had the 3rd Model Russian, the only one with mismatched numbers, seemed to be a nice guy. He offered it to me, and I explained why I wouldn't have an interest in it. He again, later, asked my advice before trading it to someone. He didn't seem like the type of guy that would mis-represent what it was. He KNEW it was refinished but if I recall correctly, in pretty nice mechanical shape. Did you trade him something for it of buy it outright ? You can send me a personal note to tell me what you paid or traded for it, however, do yourself a favor .... DO NOT send this one out to get restored or refurbished. You'll spend much more money restoring it then it could ever be worth! Feel free to contact me directly. Sal Raimondi, MODEL3SW, SWCA#1300
