New Model 3 question

[The Gila Bender]

Here's a nice NM3, sn 8594, recently acquired from another forum member. A historical letter has been ordered.
Top breaks are a new venture for me; I've wanted a NM3 for many, many years and glad to have found one here. Now I want a Schofield example.
I am curious about the star in the first photo. What is the significance, if any?
Thanks!

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Nice looking NM#3. A star by the serial number on the butt means
it went back to the Factory for repair and/or refinishing. A star on the
barrel is new to me. I've seen various letters stamped there and these
are just Factory Inspector stamps.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[Exmilcop]

LUCKY YOU!!! I've been looking for a decent one for a while and the prices up here in Canada for anything decent are pretty steep. Mind you, from what I'm seeing on some of the sites these pistols seem to have taken a serious uptick in value.

 

[mmaher94087]

The star on the barrel usually indicates a replacement, rework or refinish. If I had to guess, I'd say the barrel has been refinished. Are there any numbers stamped on the left grip frame under the stocks (grips)? They would appear as 11.14 or any other numbers.

 

[The Gila Bender]

There are no numbers or marks of any kind on the grip frame.

 

[65Whelen]

The old top breaks are super cool. When I win the lottery! I have a meager Smith collection but all mine are in the shooter category. Maybe someday the gun gods will smile upon me with a Schofield but until then I'll continue to appreciate these posts. Thanks for sharing.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Here's a nice NM3, sn 8594, recently acquired from another forum member.
I am curious about the star in the first photo. What is the significance, if any?

UPDATE: Closer inspection reveals a star on the cylinder under the extractor. Curious if other NM3 owners also have stars on the barrel under the latch, on the cylinder, or other locations. I cannot find stars or re-work marks or dates anywhere else on the frame or barrel.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Again, that is an unusual marking to have on the cylinder or barrel.
Mike might be correct on it being a replacement. I don't know.

I was hoping some of the other NM#3 collectors would submit com-
ments and hopefully one or two would have seen the same star on
other examples.

Your earlier posts confused me a little. When you say "There are no
numbers or marks of any kind on the grip frame" do you mean there
isn't a serial number on the butt?

Cheers!
Webb

 

[The Gila Bender]

Hi There,

Again, that is an unusual marking to have on the cylinder or barrel.
Mike might be correct on it being a replacement. I don't know.

I was hoping some of the other NM#3 collectors would submit com-
ments and hopefully one or two would have seen the same star on
other examples.

Your earlier posts confused me a little. When you say "There are no
numbers or marks of any kind on the grip frame" do you mean there
isn't a serial number on the butt?

Cheers!
Webb

Oh yes, the serial number is on the butt and every place one would expect the serial number to be. No star on the butt and no markings on the frame.

 

[mmaher94087]

I'm waiting as patently as possible to hear what the letter states.

I wonder if this revolver was repaired due to an over charge of powder. Finding the star on the cylinder makes me think the cylinder blew up and wiped out the top strap on the way. Or,

A second thought would be a complete caliber change which would entail changing the barrel and cylinder.

 

[Mike LaNier]

Well, I have to say I'm a bit jealous! I had a .44 Russian model and three 'New Model 3s', a nickel gun in .44 Russian and a companion .44 Russian in blue, and a .32-44 in nickel with a small but original rear sight...early gun. I lost all of them in a wildfire that destroyed our house (along with 2300 others) in 2020. The nickel .44 Russian was somewhat salvageable, so it's hanging on the wall now. Neat guns, the cream of the crop, in my opinion.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I work with a LGS, I got a call offering a First Model American Mod.No.3
He said 44 rimfire I said bring it in.

It wasn't 44 rimfire, but it was 1of 1000 US American Contract guns. But the barrel was cut. Still sold well but only, what if it was untouched.