Need help identifying an old S&W revolver

[c.a.jones]

My dad recently passed away, and in his collection is this old S&W revolver. His memory had faded in recent years, so he was not able to tell me much about it. At one time he did tell me that the caliber was .44 Russian. The grips are obviously not original.

On top of the barrel it says......Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA.

There are a number of dates on top of the barrel starting with: Pat'd Jan 17 & 24 65, and ending with Reissue July 25, 1871.

I can find a serial number.......169xx on the butt and on the bottom of the latch. The serial number on the back of the cylinder is different......268xx.

There are no other markings anywhere that I can find.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[glowe]

Thanks for posting pictures. You have a New Model No. 3 in the most common caliber. These revolvers were made from 1878 to 1912, with over 35,000 manufactured. Your Model 3 was shipped from the factory around 1890, but these guns were not shipped in sn order, so it could have been shipped as much as 5 years either way. You are correct that the stocks have been replaced. The original stocks were either checkered walnut or black hard rubber. Some had pearl or ivory stocks.

The cylinder is a replacement and your gun has been re-blued. The barrel may also be a replacement, since I do not recall the reissue mark on the barrel of the New Model 3s, but there may have well been some stamped that way for a contract sale. opefully someone will comment on the reissue stamping. There is a 4th place for a serial number and that is on the back of the barrel frame in front of the latch. Hope this helps you out.

 

[glowe]

I just checked out the reissue marking on the barrel and found it in lower case letters just before the 1871 patent date. Is that where your reissue is located? The predecessor Model 3 Russian had upper case REISSUE marks on some contract and commercial guns, but was uncommon. I think your stamping is standard.

What length is your cylinder? I ask this because there was a 44-40 caliber available in a Frontier Model that had a 1 9/16" cylinder and the 44 Russian had a 1 7/16" cylinder.

 

[c.a.jones]

Hi:
Thanks for all of the good info.....I really appreciate it.

The REISSUE is in all upper case letters just before the 1871 patent date.

The cylinder is 1 7/16".

I know it's probably a long-shot, but do you think I would ever be able to find original grips for it? Maybe the gun is not worth that type of investment, I don't know.

 

[glowe]

I would say that your father was correct that the revolver shoots 44 Russian cartridges. Stocks do come up sor sale from time to time on ebay, Gunbroker, and other sites, but you can also buy replacement stocks from Vintage Gun Grips. THey are the black stocks that are reproductions of the original hard rubber stocks. They take a little fitting, but do look nice.

S & W New Model #3 .<br> 44 D.A. Frontier Break Top Revolver

Value and demand for high condition original New Model 3s are very high, but there is an active market for shooter grade guns with the popularity of Cowboy Action Shooting. I would guess that you could get $1000 and maybe more if you were to sell it, so definately worth an original or reproduction stocks.

 

[c.a.jones]

Thank you very much for your help.

I would not have guessed that it would be worth that kind of money considering the condition.

I'll keep an eye out for the proper stocks.

 

[marineimaging]

Can you tell age by the grips? I have one standard .38 6in barrel with the rounded front sight. The grips are S&W originals but are slightly different regarding the medallion.