S&W DA Frist model 44 Russian 5 inch Barrel ?? (picture)

[dinguss]

Hi well i bought this 5 inch S&W DA Frist model 44 Russian. Its a minty gun with a Newer installed higher front blade. the Barrel address looks right.
My question is how many 5 inch barreled S&W DAs were made in 44 Russian.
I have seen a few come up from South America that were factory 5 inch but i think its a more Rare barrel length ?
This gun is Minty bored and chambers no play at the Latch or hinge and im glad to be getting it thats orignal blueing on the old gun!
Wonder about the 5 inch barrel tho.

 

[dinguss]

Hi well i bought this 5 inch S&W DA Frist model 44 Russian. Its a minty gun with a Newer installed higher front blade. the Barrel address looks right.
My question is how many 5 inch barreled S&W DAs were made in 44 Russian.
I have seen a few come up from South America that were factory 5 inch but i think its a more Rare barrel length ?
This gun is Minty bored and chambers no play at the Latch or hinge and im glad to be getting it thats orignal blueing on the old gun!
Wonder about the 5 inch barrel tho.

 

[opoefc]

I've never thought of the five inch barrel .44DA as being a rare bird. I see more 5 in. than I do 6 or 6 1/2 in. barrels, it seems. I doubt if there is any practical way to tell how many barrels of any length were made for the 15,000 plus examples of this model produced. A 4 in. factory target would probably be the rarest barrel.

 

[dinguss]

Hi well thanks for the Reply! maby i listed the Model Wrong there were over 54000 of these sometimes called the new Navy model S&W DA 44 Russian Calibered.
It seems to be the most common Antique Model DA S&W in 44 Russian in any case this one is Ser #ed in the 22000s
Ive only seen about 3 or 4 of this model with 5 inch barrels but that dont meen there isnt Thousands.
Thats why im asking here.

 

[mikepriwer]

I'm glad to be getting that orignal blueing on the old gun!

Dinguss

Just for the record, it is known that the factory, and perhaps others, had the skills and
ability to refinish a gun , and no one could tell that it was refinished. We have this from
the highest source in S&W collecting circles.

In many cases, its possible to know that a particular gun has been refinished, by virtue of
various markings and/or other indications. But - there are no markings , or other indications,
that indicate that a gun is original finish. In other words, while its possible to know that
a gun is refnished, it is not possible to know that a gun is original. This is an asymetric
reality in evaluating the condition of a gun.

When asked, I always describe the condition as being a percentage of coverage, without
regards to its originality, because that can't be known, with certainty.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[opoefc]

Dingus, That was a typo in my earlier post. I ment to say 50,000 plus of the .44DAs made by S&W. Sorry about that!

 

[dinguss]

OK well good so the S&W Company DID make these in 5 inch Barrel lengths. Thats what i wasnt 100% sure of.
And of course your right it could be a factory Refinish theres no way of knowing i guess.
Any way im glad to get one in such nice condition.
Ive bought ones that were Renickled and Reblued by otheres than the factory and only the factory seemed to get the colour right.

So if its a Factory Reblue im still fickled pink LOL

 

[cgt4570]

Mine lettered correctly as a 5". It's mechanically as good as yours, but not as much blue remaining. It shipped to London in 1897.
Chris

 

[JimSupica]

From the photo that looks like a lovely gun, congrats! Jim

 

[dinguss]

Thanks Jim ya im likeing it alot from the pics and the Discription has a minty bore and chambers tight latch perfect lock up.
Ive had a few of these that were nice but not like this beauty.
There such well made guns.
Every antique colt ive had ive sold.
But ive got 5 S&W antiques in 44 R