New model #3 32-44

[IWK2HT]

Recently pick this up at LGS never think I'd get a chance to purchase a model 3 of any type, it's not collector grade or a popular caliber but it's in good shape and the bore is shiny the stocks are not chipped and all the numbers match.
Had to show it to some one, tell me what you think and was it worth $800.

 

[mmaher94087]

Interesting that it has the optional trigger guard spur. Are you going to letter it?

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello HT, for that money you paid, smoking buy as a representative specimen.

 

[mrcvs]

...was it worth $800.

Absolutely!

 

[IWK2HT]

Interesting that it has the optional trigger guard spur. Are you going to letter it?

Didn't think about a letter I'll send for today

 

[glowe]

New Model 3s are somewhat common, New Model 3s with target sights are scarce, New Model 3s in 32-44 are rare. Optional spur trigger puts this one over the top. It was most likely purchased by a hardcore bullseye shooter that may well be named in the letter. The gun will clean up and look great.

There is some detailed information about the cartridge in the following link on a modified NM3 Target. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/566663-32-44-target-revolver.html?566663=#post140130119

Clean the surface with some Mother's Mag Polish and make sure the mechanism is clean and lubed. Shoot if if you want. Knowing that there is a huge amount of metal in the cylinder, you will have no problems with a 32 caliber round.

 

[IWK2HT]

Thanks Gary for the info I intend to shoot it when I put together some ammo, hope the letter gives some insight into where it has been and with who.

 

[rct269]

Hmmmmmmmmmm??

Mr. Maher and Mr. Lowe find the spur trigger guard of note. If that's simply because it's a seldom seen option, fine---I understand that. If it's because it somehow renders the gun into a superior tool, I don't understand that.

I have one too---NM #3 (.44 Russian-target-and the spur trigger guard). Try as I might to find a use for that trigger guard which moves the gun into the superior category, I've failed. I must say it well and truly enhances a two hand hold, but a two hand hold doesn't seem to be a popular, useful technique among the target shooters of the day.

So what's the attraction?

Ralph Tremaine

A (poor) picture of mine can be found on page 190 of N&J---Revised Edition.

 

[mmaher94087]

"So what's the attraction?". Scarcity. Not often encountered outside the realm of the Russian line of revolvers.

 

[glowe]

I agree that the spur serves no useful purpose, but it has been debated many times why the Russians ask for the feature. If one tried to place any finger or fingers in the spur of a Russian revolver, your thumb can not even reach the hammer to cock the gun unless you have a hand like a Pro-basketball player.

It has been said the spur helped to tuck the gun into a sash that was often worn by the Russian military. It was also opined that the spur could parry a sword blow and I am sure there are other opinions out there, but I do not know of any documentation that offers a credible explanation.

 

[opoefc]

I believe that if you research the spur, or "hook" on the trigger guard, looking for any design patent or clue on the origin, you will come up empty handed, sooner or later. Very few American made handguns, except S&Ws, are seen with it, if any. It is seen on middle Eastern manufactured handguns, circa 19th century, which leads to the conclusion that it facilitated "holstering" the gun in a sash or waistband. Trying to place your fingers around the "hook" when firing the revolver is a clumsy exercise, which seems to eliminate it as an improvement in shooting the revolver, however S&Ws efforts to offer the option of a hook to shooters during the period of target shooting as a popular activity leads one to believe S&W thought it was helpful, somehow. Not too many American target shooters wore sashes to their matches, so that theory didn't apply here. Ed.

 

[model3sw]

if all the parts are good (especially the hammer) ... it's worth that in parts alone. You've done OK. Have fun with it. Sal

 

[H Richard]

My "opinion" of the hook on the trigger guard was intentioned for the Russian Officers that frequently were shown with a "Sash" rather than (or in addition to) a belt. When the gun was stuffed into the sash the hook would keep it from sliding through. I'm sure there is probably another reason for it, but that's what comes to my mind, thinking of the photo's of the Russians of this vantage I see pictured.

 

[Jingles]

Here's mine - also 32-44. I've shot it on the rare occasion I stumble across ammo.

 

[model3sw]

the hook or tang on the trigger guard was likely just a personal preference of the original purchaser.

As the .32-44 was classified as more of a "gallery gun" or "parlor pistol" it was likely ordered with the tang for extra stability that those (at the time) thought it provided but Ed (opoefc) states ... was rather clumsy, some thought it was a positive attribute whether it worked that way or not.

I would like to read, if such exists, the Russian Ordnance Inspector's report on the function and use of the extra spur or tang as it was originally specified for Russian revolvers by the Ordnance Inspector who designed the revisions to the American to make it the "Russian" ... in all 3 versions.

I'm wondering whether it was intended for a one-handed shot or to stabilize better when firing 2 handed, using the opposing hand to come around to grab the lower tang to help control the rise from the recoil on the .44 Russians.

I fire one of my .32-44s every so often, loaded to factory black powder gallery rounds. If anything, it is just a tad more recoil than a .22LR, basically the recoil is so negligible I cannot see the functional benefit of the lower tang.

ANYWAY, that tang bumps up the "cool" factor a notch or so, I think.

 

[Göring's S&W]

Let's not forget about NM3 targets

New Model 3s are somewhat common, New Model 3s with target sights are scarce, New Model 3s in 32-44 are rare. Optional spur trigger puts this one over the top.

This is true only to a point. The NM3 target guns are around, despite their production of 4,333. What is scarce IMO are NM3s with target sights in calibers other than 32-44 and 38-44. A NM3 fixed sight example in 32-44 or 38-44 would qualify as rare. When discussing the NM3 targets, the 32-44 is more common than the 38-44. The NM3 targets in 32-44 and 38-44 are a separate model technically because they have their own SN range. Despite the scarcity of production, they are available partly due to the calibers being limited to target use vs 44 Russian (and other larger cals) being serviceable for carry, when needed. In other words, the NM3 target revolvers in 32-44 and 38-44 were usually pampered range pieces because they were not viable carry weapons since they are under powered.

The spur trigger guard is interesting but the model and caliber are not scarce. I have to agree with others in that it is well worth what you paid. Usually model 3s (of any variation) that sell for under $1000 have at least 1 serious problem, if not several.

Also, as model3sw alluded to, it is entirely possible that the optional trigger guard spur is more common on standard NM3s vs target NM3s, which does add some allure...

This gun deserves a factory letter without doubt.