My very first top break, i need help

[crashland73]

I just got this the other day & have no idea about this style of revolver other than i think theyre real cool & i have no idea of age or value. It has a 4 digit serial number. Its 21xx i cant remember the last two or i would post them also. From what i gather in the gun blue book of values its a 44 russian/american or someone said a 44 special will work & could use either black powder or smokless but i am going to wait till i get more info. The mechanical parts are in EXCELLENT condition. The cylinder is somewhat tight for its age when hammer cocked. Its a double action. The lock up is real tight like it should be and breaks over nice & the shell ejector is just as fast & clean. Other than the nickle being rough & no pitting as far as in the metal itself it appears to have been used but taken pretty good care of. Any of you guys be able to help me on year and or value? I dont mean gun dealer selling price i mean what someone would feel comfortable paying for it. I know that means different prices for different people but just in general on the price. Thanks for any & all help.

 

[DWalt]

There are several it could be, all are .44 Double Action revolvers. Please provide the exact markings on the barrel and also the exact barrel length, as measured from the front face of the cylinder. The exact length of the cylinder might also be valuable.

It is most likely a .44 DA, and with a serial number that low, it would date from the early 1880s.

It is highly likely that the caliber is .44 Russian, an earlier and shorter predecessor to the .44 S&W Special and the .44 Magnum cartridges. Only .44 Russian ammunition should be used in it.

 

[crashland73]

It has a 6" barrel, 1 1/2" cyl, the markings say; smith & wesson springfield mass U.S.A. Then it goes through some pattents that end in 1880. I can go through them if you wish.

 

[DWalt]

The full and exact barrel markings are required. The cylinder length could be either 1-7/16" or 1-9/16" So which is it?

 

[opoefc]

It's a Model 3 .44 Double Action, 1st model. Caliber is .44 Russian. Looks like about a 6 in. barrel. Cylinder appears to be the 1 7/16th inch version. Value is in the $750-$900 range. Ed.

 

[crashland73]

Ok, the above mentioned then these;

Pat's jan 17 & 24. 65
July 11.65. aug. 24. 69. July 25. 71. Dec. 2. 79. May 11 & 25. 1880

 

[DWalt]

That would be the correct barrel patent markings for the .44 DA. Do all 4 serial numbers match? They are located on the butt, the cylinder, the barrel latch, and the barrel.

 

[crashland73]

I caint find the barrels serial number. So far all match. Im sooo tempted to load up some rounds.

 

[deadin]

Here you go....

 

[crashland73]

Oh lol i was looking for one on the barrel , i seen them two like i was sayin earlier, them two match.
Oh if thats yours in the pic , nice bore.

 

[deadin]

I suppose that technically it could be called the barrel extension, but it is integral with the barrel, so........

Mine is a 44/40 Frontier with the 1 9/16th cylinder. The measurement on yours (with a 4 digit serial) will tell you if it's a 44/40 (1 9/16ths) or a 44 Russian. (1 7/16ths).

Also, whoever told you the you could shoot 44 Specials was wrong. You can make 44 Russian from 44 Special brass by trimming them to the correct length. I would suggest using Black Powder or a BP substitute for reloading. If you must use smokless, use mild loads. The gun will appreciate it.

 

[crashland73]

Oh shoot! Its a 44/40, 1 9/16"

 

[deadin]

Oh shoot! Its a 44/40, 1 9/16"

Actually, that's not all that bad. The 44/40 Frontier is almost 4 times scarcer than the 44 Russian. (15,000+ made vs. 53,000+ for the Russian.)
Brass is available (even "Cowboy"loads from Buffalo Arms). The 44/40 is a little trickier to load than the Russian due to the slight bottleneck and fairly thin brass at the neck. (It's easy to "accordion" a case if you get in too much of a hurry when seating the bullet. Don't ask me how I know this...)

 

[crashland73]

Lol! Dont need to ask, ashamed to say this but ive done that to straight walled cases lol! I had some local saphead try to screw me out of it but when he heard me say i found out what it was, well i could tell he was ticked. I dont like liars or thieves. Amongst a few other non desireaes. Well Lord wilin , she'll fetch a fine sum. Im goin to put it all, minus tithes of course, to payin off my home.

 

[crashland73]

Im planning on selling this revolver so where would be a good place to post it?

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

A 1 9/16" cylinder does not guarantee it is a 44-40. Later models (after SN 15340) used the 1 9/16" cylinder for 44 Russian too. However that SN is quite early, so it is probably a 44-40. The only way to really determine what the caliber is, is to chamber a round, or a snap cap. 44 Russian is a short, straight cased round. 44-40 is longer and tapered near the neck. Here is a photo of several related rounds for comparison. Left to right they are, 44-40, 44 Special, 44 Russian, 44 S&W American, 44 Henry Rimfire, 45 Schofield, and 45 Colt.

The case of the 44 Russian round is short and straight. The shell is about .960 long. There will be a shoulder at that depth in the chamber where the mouth of the cartridge sits. 44-40 brass is about 1.300 long, and there will be a slight taper in the chamber near the neck, and then a shoulder at the mouth of the cartridge.

Im sooo tempted to load up some rounds.

I strongly advise against it, unless you load them with Black Powder. Yes, 44-40 can be tricky to load, it is easy to crumple the neck because it is so thin. You have to set your dies just right.

This model was first produced in 1881, and was cataloged until 1913, although all frames were made before 1899. I have one with a SN of 24XX and it shipped in October or 1881. So I would guess yours shipped in 1881 too. However, be advised that S&W did not always ship guns according to SNs. Also, current records reflect when the gun shipped, not when it was made.

 

[crashland73]

This is why i love these forums!! Thanks man!!

 

[alaskavett]

May I ask you how you found such an interesting old S&W? Thanks for sharing it with us. Kyle

 

[crashland73]

My neighbor bought it iff a friend if his that had a brother that just passed away. He left them all to his living brother & he had no idea on what he had nor even cared. So my neighbor bought it, & i recon after much dickering they came to a price agreement. He just had to sho me & i said how much i liked it then he said he bought it to sell so i bought it.

 

[dltvette]

Crashland73,
Nice find.
Here is a comparison photo between the .44 DA with 1-7/16" cylinder & a .44 DA Frontier .44-40 Win. with a 1-9/16" cylinder.
Top is the .44 DA, serial number 13125 with a 6" barrel.
Bottom is the .44 DA Frontier, serial number 10041 with a 5" barrel.
Dave