New Model No 3 Frontier Cylinder Lock Up

[DrRandyHester]

In 1976 I found an old S&W break action revolver at an estate sale in Ohio for $50. It wasn't in great shape and I thought it would be nice to put in a shadow box. I oiled it up and packed it away for my move to Texas and forgot about it for 44 years. I discovered it was a New Model No 3 Frontier in .44-40 caliber (19/16" Cylinder) The rear face of the cylinder, the underside of the barrel latch, the barrel, and the bottom of the grip are marked with Serial Number "166". The top strap is marked "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT'D JAN. 17 & 24. 65. JULY 11. 65 / AUG. 24. 69. APR. 20. 75. FEB. 20 & DEC. 18. 1877. REISSUE JULY 25, 1871".

The gun was made in 1891

The cylinder spins freely when the hammer is down but locks up both when cocked and when the hammer is down and the trigger is pulled back. I'm not familiar with the mechanism is it defective?

Also, there is no half or safety cock position, just full cock. The ejector works excellent, and the trigger pull is light and crisp.

Any information or thoughts would be appreciated. Also, is there any information on when it was made and its value?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I don't know enough about how the action works to answer your questions. An expert will be along shortly to fix that. One thing you might do while you wait for more information is to get some aerosol carb/brake/parts cleaner and flush the action to remove any dirt, debris and varnish there that might impede the action from functioning correctly. That will eliminate one reason why the action may not be operating as you expect.

 

[mmaher94087]

The half-cock notch has broken. This revolver has a trigger actuated cylinder stop. Your photos show that the trigger is too far forward in the trigger guard. When the 'shelf' of the half-cock breaks the trigger is allowed to move forward and this, in turn, causes the cylinder stop (bolt) to drop down in the window in the lower frame. It's possible that the trigger is also chipped which will lead to the same problem but since you stated that there is no "half or safety cock" I will assume the notch on the hammer is broken.

 

[DrRandyHester]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I don't know enough about how the action works to answer your questions. An expert will be along shortly to fix that. One thing you might do while you wait for more information is to get some aerosol carb/brake/parts cleaner and flush the action to remove any dirt, debris and varnish there that might impede the action from functioning correctly. That will eliminate one reason why the action may not be operating as you expect.

Thanks for the information. I'm assuming give its age there is no fix.

 

[mmaher94087]

There is a fix but one needs to find an organ donor for a good hammer. Place a WANTED ad on this forum as there might be someone with a hammer. Watch eBay and check out the usual parts sources. IF.. big IF.. IF one can find a gunsmith that can weld and recut the sear(s) then that would save the original hammer. I'm not aware of anyone that might have that talent.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Bob Cogan at http://apwcogan.com can do it.

 

[mmaher94087]

Here are two photos of a NM#3 hammer with sears.

 

[Alk8944]

The gun in the photos is not a "Frontier. The Frontier is a double-action, the pictured gun is a single-action #3. Completely different gun. I have owned a "New Model #3 Frontier since 1963. It is a very early 4-digit SN.

 

[Boulder350]

There are 2 frontier models. One is a New Model 3 Frontier and the other is the 44 Double-Action Frontier. Both were chambered in 44-40.

The New Model 3 Frontier was not a hot seller. 2072 guns were made and were not flying off the shelves. An order came in from Japan for some more New Model 3's chambered in 44 Russian. The Factory converted 786 of these New Model 3 Frontiers to 44 Russian and shipped them. That left only 1286 of these New Model 3 Frontier guns chambered in 44-40. In my opinion this is a very undervalued revolver.

 

[Jim Watson]

Does that make CotW wrong?

"New Model Number Three Frontier. Caliber .44-40 Winchester. Single action revolver built on top break frame."

 

[iby]

what is the serial # ?

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


I have a NM#3 in .44 S&W Russian with 8" barrel and target
sights but it is a long strap model. It is numbered in the regular
NM#3 serial number range (near the end having SN 35722).

I've wondered when did S&W start putting the long strap or
"Frontier" frame in with the regular NM#3's?


Cheers!
Webb

 

[stanmerrell]

I had one of these. They came near the end of Production, and are fairly hard to find in 44-40. Only about 1000 made as I recall. Mine had the barrel bobbed. I needed money for my son's new venture, and sold it to the highest bidder about 5 years ago on GB for a disappointing $1100. Mine had nicer finish than yours, but you surely have done well on this one. Enjoy.

 

[rct269]

A (WIZARD) gunsmith, who works on antiques only, and can almost certainly fix this is Chris Hirsch (Google Chris Hirsch Gunsmith for contact).

I say "who works on", he did work for me 8 or so years ago, and may or may not still be active. Given he's inactive, he very likely can direct you to the next best.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[DrRandyHester]

The serial number is 166