Photos of your antique S&W Model Top Breaks

For my first post, except my introduction as new member, I am glad to show you my antiques S&W.

The first photo below presents Two Russian Model 3, the first one is a Third Model with a 6 1/2 inches barrel, commercial production.
The second one is a Second Model (old model Russian) with a 7 inches barrel, Japanese government variation with the "REISSUE" stamping intead of "Rusian Model"

The third one is a First Model Schofield with a 7 inches barrel. It is the military version with the "US" on the but. This gun has propably been resold on the civilian market and has been renickled for that purpose. It was blued when delivered in July 1875 to the National Armory, Spingfield, MA (info given by Roy G. Jinks in the letter of Authenticity).

sw3mod.jpg


On the photo below, the first one is a New Model N°3 Single Action with a 6 1/2 inches barrel in 44 Russian. The second one is a 38 Single Action Third Model. It is an interesting piece because it's SN is in the first 100 with a non standard marking on the barrel. We can notice that it is quite similar in contour to the New Model 3, like a "shrinked" New Model !

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Here's the 32 New Departure that I got today. Serial # 1523

I'd appreciate any info that ya'll might have. The bore looks like new with some slight scratches. It's as tight as a drum and cycles like a Swiss watch. It just needs some black powder 32 S&W rounds.

32NewDeparture.jpg
 
Hello Alpine Rain,
Really nice looking old 1st model. I have two that are sandwiched around your serial number, and both were shipped in May of 1888 for what it's worth. I assume that you know that the grips are aftermarket or home made. They do look good on the gun though. You will not need to load black powder rounds for your gun if it tight and functioning properly. The modern 32 S&W shells are loaded very light. Having said that, anytime you fire an antique gun you are taking a chance what ever loads you are using. Older metals were not as strong as those produced today, and metal fatigue can make the antiques brittle. I know that others here are going to tell you that they shoot theirs with no problem, but you shoot at your own risk.

Mark
 
Thanks Mark!
I'm going with black powder since that's what it was designed for and to maintain history. I bought it to own a little piece of American history. I like to imagine where this little gun has been in its life. Who replaced the grips? Why? Did he make them himself? How many owners? What did they do for a living?

I'll never know the answers, but it's fun to daydream about. I've got a 1926 Mercury dime that I think the same things of. What kind of travels and purchases did it have during the Great Depression? Then I think that my little gun was 40 years old during the same time. Wow!
 
My first antique S&W found in an antique store this fall.
3rd Model 32 Safety Hammerless New Departure.
Tight as new and original finish :)
Now I want to find more of them to hoard :p

SW-3rd-Model-1.JPG



Mike
 
My Top break lemonsqueezers

I have not posted pictures of my Lemonsqueezers on this thread. I have built presintation cases for some of them. I will start with this pic. of a S&W .32 1st. Mod. Safety Hammerless circa "1890" unfired.

Chubbo
DSC01298.jpg
 
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