Questions about 44 Russian cal pistol

[TNDave]

Hey guys. A buddy at work told me he had a Smith and Wesson in 44 Russian he bought from a guy a week or so ago. I don't know anything about this type of gun. His research leads him to believe it is a New Frontier. This gun is in good shape mechanically. It comes up on time and locks up tight. He shot it and it shoots good. The serial number is 18050. I told him I would post some pics and see if anyone could tell us more about this gun. It is pretty cool. Any info about what exact model it is, when it was made, stuff like that would be appreciated.

 

[TNDave]

Hey guys. A buddy at work told me he had a Smith and Wesson in 44 Russian he bought from a guy a week or so ago. I don't know anything about this type of gun. His research leads him to believe it is a New Frontier. This gun is in good shape mechanically. It comes up on time and locks up tight. He shot it and it shoots good. The serial number is 18050. I told him I would post some pics and see if anyone could tell us more about this gun. It is pretty cool. Any info about what exact model it is, when it was made, stuff like that would be appreciated.

 

[Modelof1891]

That looks like a .44 Double Action First Model ".44DA" in .44 S&W Russian. Ribbed barrels in 4, 5, 6 or 6 1/2". Top break in the serial number range 1-54668 with 53,590 mfd from 1881-1913. All frames manufactured before 1899, making this gun an antique.

 

[deadin]

To add to what Terry said.....
It's a .44 DA. To be a New Frontier, it would have to be chambered in 44/40 Winchester, the serial number would need to be between 1 and 15,340 and the cylinder length would be 1 9/16ths.

 

[TNDave]

Thanks for the info you all. Any idea what that gun is worth?

 

[MikeyL]

Neat old gun!

The .44 Double Action First Model, is rated at $375.00 for one in 10% condition, up to as high as $4500 for one in 100% condition (Blue Book). The flaked nickel plating on this gun does affect the value significantly. If value is an issue, you need to get a professional appraisal. Others may disagree, but I would rate the condition about 30%, based upon the SCSW and the Blue Book descriptions. That places the value around $575.00, give or take. Anybody else have an opinion?

MikeyL

"Life's tough. Tougher when you're stupid." -John Wayne

 

[opoefc]

MikeyL's value estimate is in the ball park. The gun has suffereed from poor storage, but apparently hasn't been shot all that much, so has stayed mechanically sound, and is a good shooter with an ugly complexion. This model was a slow seller and sales continued up to WW1 era even though it's a Model 1880. All the frames were made before 1898 so the gun is classed as antique under BATF rules, even if shipped in 1915. A very careful refinish to nickel, by an expert like David Chicoine, might be worth it for this gun, as I don't see any pitting, just flaking of the original nickel, so little polishing would be needed. The Model 1880 DAs were chambered in .44Russian (most of them). .44-40 (Winchester center Fire or WCF ), some of them and called the Frontier Model, and a very few in .38-40 Winchester Center Fire. I have one that says ".44 S&W Special" on the barrel, but it is a .44 Russian. Somebody at the factory picked up the wrong caliber stamp, when that gun went through! Ed.

 

[cubrock]

If I saw that gun for $575 in a local shop, and it is mechanically sound, I do believe I'd be taking it home with me and loading up some blackpowder .44 Russian cartridges.

 

[cgt4570]

In the meantime, a careful rub down with Flitz metal polish will go a long way at removing the red-brown rust tones without hurting what little finish is left. It will brighten the bare metal just a little and make it more pleasing to the eye. It will also impede further deterioration.
Chris

 

[TNDave]

Thanks for all the replies. I will mention the Flitz idea to my buddy.

 

[edsfixit]

1880 S&W added a double-action top-break chambered in .38 S&W center-fireSerial 75xxx

Serial 75xxx In 1880 S&W added a double-action top-break chambered in .38 S&W center-fire, and a year later, its first .44

cal. (.44 S&W Russian and .44-40 Win.) double-action model. The .38s were virtually identical to the .32-cal.

DA revolvers and followed the same design changes and improvements over the years. The .44-cal. double-action

S&Ws looked like oversized .38s, right down to the reverse-curve trigger guards. With six, instead of five

chambers, the big six-shooters were offered with barrel lengths of 4, 5, 6 and 6 1/2 inches. Like the .38s, the

.44s had checkered, hard-rubber grips and were offered with either blued or nickel-plated finishes.

 

[edsfixit]

1880 Smith & Wesson 3.25" barrel .38 DA.5 shot

1880 Smith & Wesson 3.25" barrel .38 DA.5 shot, stamped on barrel is SMITH & WESSON,SPRINGFIELD.MASS,USA-PAT'D Jan 17 July 11 65 Aug 24 69 July 25 71 Dec 2 79 May 11 & 25 1880 Serial 75xxx

 

[opoefc]

edsfixit, I'm curious. What have your above two posts to do with this thread? Ed.

 

[luc2121]

i have just bought the same gun with a blued finish with the small cylinder with a serial # of 287xx could someone tell me when it made etc. it's chambered in 44 russian. i bought the one that larry21556 had listed on gunbroker and posted pics of in another thread

Thanks for the help. this is my first s&w