Need help identifying revolver and details

[aaaltama]

First time ever posting in a forum. Looking for an expert’s input on this revolver which belonged to my grandfather.

From the information that I’ve gathered it seems to be a “double action frontier” but I’m not exactly sure and wanted some clarification. The serial number is 3933, assuming by the number I believe it to be an antique but would like some clarification on that too.

The pictures I took don’t give it justice especially with the flash, it’s quite a pristine and beautiful gun in person. Wondering it’s price range, not to sell as it’s an heirloom but just curious.

Lastly the kind of ammo it uses and if it’s safe to shoot this gun, along with any ammo recommendations

 

[iby]

It's a 1st model DA 44 cal... 44 Russian or 44 winchester?
It is antique
It has been replated and has homemade grips
It is very shiny

 

[aaaltama]

It's a 1st model DA 44 cal... 44 Russian or 44 winchester?
It is antique
It has been replated and has homemade grips
It is very shiny

Do you have a price range for it?

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Welcome to the Forum!

It is definitely a New Model #3 Double Action 'New Navy' First Model.
As to whether it is .44 Russian or .44 WCF is difficult for me to discern.
Measure the length of the cylinder. If it is 1-7/16" (or close to), it is a
.44 Russian. If the cylinder is 1-9/16" (or thereabouts), it could be either
.44 Russian or .44 WCF. If you have a .44-40 round to check with, try
to insert it into the cylinder. If it is too big to go all the way in, then
it is a .44 Russian.

Also, I don't believe the serial number 3933 is correct. I see a plug
filling what once was a lanyard ring hole. This is in the middle of the
serial number and has obscured the 3rd digit. This is a non Factory
modification because S&W would have re-stamped the serial number.
So, your serial number is 39_33 where the 3rd digit is not known.

Now the good news is the serial number was stamped on all the major
parts of the revolver. So, you should be able to read the whole number
from either the back of the cylinder, the underside of the barrel latch or
the back of the barrel (behind the barrel latch).

Cheers!
Webb

 

[aaaltama]

Hi There,

Welcome to the Forum!

It is definitely a New Model #3 Double Action 'New Navy' First Model.
As to whether it is .44 Russian or .44 WCF is difficult for me to discern.
Measure the length of the cylinder. If it is 1-7/16" (or close to), it is a
.44 Russian. If the cylinder is 1-9/16" (or thereabouts), it could be either
.44 Russian or .44 WCF. If you have a .44-40 round to check with, try
to insert it into the cylinder. If it is too big to go all the way in, then
it is a .44 Russian.

Also, I don't believe the serial number 3933 is incorrect. I see a plug
filling what once was a lanyard ring hole. This is in the middle of the
serial number and has obscured the 3rd digit. This is a non Factory
modification because S&W would have re-stamped the serial number.
So, your serial number is 39_33 where the 3rd digit is not known.

Now the good news is the serial number was stamped on all the major
parts of the revolver. So, you should be able to read the whole number
from either the back of the cylinder, the underside of the barrel latch or
the back of the barrel (behind the barrel latch).

Cheers!
Webb

Thank you for clarifying the serial number, it always seemed a little off to me. I checked the cylinder and it’s actually 39233. Due to the number sky rocketing I assume it isn’t an antique, unless you can give me info on that, thanks again

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

All Model Number 3's (single and double action) are BATFE
Antiques! Ergo, yours is an antique. All frames were manu-
factured before 1899.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[aaaltama]

Hi There,

All Model Number 3's (single and double action) are BATFE
Antiques! Ergo, yours is an antique. All frames were manu-
factured before 1899.

Cheers!
Webb

Sweet!

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Have you, by chance measured your cylinder to see how long it is?
If so, would you mind posting the results? Thanks for your time!

Cheers!
Webb

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

You asked earlier about a value range for your NM#3 DA.
That is dependent on some unanswered criteria. Like, are
the cylinder, barrel and barrel latch have matching serial
numbers? Does the revolver function in both single and
double action? Is the bore good enough for shooting?
Etc.

Given what we know, I would say yours is in the fair to good
range giving a price spread of around $600 to $900 IMHO.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[glowe]

That cylinder certainly looks short, so am guessing a 44 Russian. I had one that was all replated like yours, trigger and hammer included that sold 10 years ago for $650. Cowboy Action shooting was still big back then so prices for these guns were inflated. I think prices are basically the same now, but refinished guns are hard to value. This revolver has the longer cylinder, but still chambered in 44 Russian.

As noted above, there is a filled hole in the butt indicating that the number is indeed a 4 digit from the factory OR MORE LIKELY a missing number because someone drilled a hole in the butt eliminating the 5th digit. Check the back of the cylinder for a number??

 

[mmaher94087]

Open the revolver as if to load it. Look down the charge holes in the cylinder. A .44 Russian chamber will have a sharp and very distinct ring (case stop) about 2/3 of the way down the hole.

 

[glowe]

. . . and the 44 Winchester will have two faint lines visible in most bores. The first is the bottleneck and the second about 3/4 of the way down the barrel is the case stop. The "Frontier" in the model name refers only to a 44 Winchester cartridge gun.