Photos of my 2nd Model American

[Win38-55]

I finally got some time to take a couple snapshots of my 2nd Model American chambered in 44 Russian (original chambering, from markings on barrel). Serial number is 26382. Judging by the serial number, it seems to have been made around 1873, although I do plan to get a letter from Roy Jinks. It has an 8" barrel and the bore and chambers are in excellent condition .... I've seldom seen a black powder gun with such a pristine bore and chambers. There is still quite a bit of case color on the hammer and a lot of dark blue on the frame, with less on the barrel assembly. All numbers match. Here's the pics ....

 

[Win38-55]

I finally got some time to take a couple snapshots of my 2nd Model American chambered in 44 Russian (original chambering, from markings on barrel). Serial number is 26382. Judging by the serial number, it seems to have been made around 1873, although I do plan to get a letter from Roy Jinks. It has an 8" barrel and the bore and chambers are in excellent condition .... I've seldom seen a black powder gun with such a pristine bore and chambers. There is still quite a bit of case color on the hammer and a lot of dark blue on the frame, with less on the barrel assembly. All numbers match. Here's the pics ....

 

[JimSupica]

Great looking gun, congrats! - Jim

 

[opoefc]

Kirk, Very nice specimen! This gun must have been hidden away somewhere as, except for the blue fading, it is almost untouched. I'm assuming the barrel rib says "Russian Model" based on your comment, so it's a commercial version of the 1st model Russian contract guns, if it has no military inspector's stamps anywhere. Congrats! Ed.

 

[Win38-55]

Yes, Ed. It says 'Russian Model' on the barrel rib and I see no sign of anything that resembles a military inspectors stamp. Your comment does raise a question, though. Is this a 2nd Model American chambered in 44 Russian, or is this a 1st Model Russian, commercial version?

 

[moosedog]

That is certainly a beautiful speciman and your photography skills are second to none. I love a photo like that that contains a complementary back ground.

 

[opoefc]

Kirk, Your gun is a second model American commercial version of the first model (Old Old Russian) Russian contract guns chambered in .44S&W Russian cartridge. There are two types of these (1) Marked "Russian Model" on the barrel rib, no military inspection stamps, and (2) guns rejected by the Russian inspectors (who were very picky) but which had some military inspection marks, and then were marketed by S&W to the civilian commercial trade. Not all 2nd model Americans were chambered in .44 Russian, some were still made in .44 American caliber. Calibers were not marked on these guns, so you had to look in the cylinder chambers to be sure which round was the correct one for your gun - .44 American were bored straight through, .44 Russian had a visible shoulder in the chamber. Ed.

 

[Win38-55]

Thanks for that clarification, Ed. That helps me understand a bit better the terminology. I'm really looking forward to getting the books I've ordered and learning more. So my sixgun is a 2nd Model American commercial 'Russian Model' version. I read that only 4,665 of these had 8" barrels, of which only a subset were the commercial variety (marked Russian Model at end of barrel address). I wonder how many of the 4,665 8" barrel versions were stamped 'Russian Model' and how many were rejects by Russian inspectors. Can't wait for Charlie Pate's book.

 

[mm6mm6]

That is one beautiful old S&W! Wonderful photography too! Congrats!