S&W RUSSIAN made in 1874
- Thread starter Andrea
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It has no original finish but looks honest. Given these are uncommon in Europe, where I assume you are, and a whole lot more expensive than in the States, for €1000, I'd buy it. It's even a bargain at $1200 in the States, which is the approximate value of €1000.
Hello and thank you so much for your very quick reply! Yes Im in Europe, in Italy to be more specific, and I have always liked the Russian model very much. For now I have not yet been able to see it in real life due to the quarantine and covid period, but already from the photos it doesn't seem like a bad deal to me...
I am not sure if is a S&W Russian or one of the many copies made in Europe. Ludwig & Loewe, the Tula Arsenal, the Middle East, and some Eastern European countries all made this model. Could you take a picture of the entire barrel rib so that the lettering can be seen? Also, one of the bottom of the butt showing all stampings and the serial number.
I am also not sure that the gun was made in 1874, since all S&W factory 3rd Model guns used 1874 and stamped it on the butt just above the serial number. In fact, the 3rd Model Russian contract guns were shipped from 1874 to 1877.
I am also not sure that the gun was made in 1874, since all S&W factory 3rd Model guns used 1874 and stamped it on the butt just above the serial number. In fact, the 3rd Model Russian contract guns were shipped from 1874 to 1877.
The serial number is above the known range of US made guns. I believe it might be a Russian contract gun.
Gary may very well be right. So check that out, but my gut instinct is that it's a decent deal. That may or may not prove true.
opoefc
US Veteran
It's not a US Smith & Wesson, it's a foreign copy. I would need to see better & clear photos of the barrel & other stampings to estimate Tula or L&L as it's parent. Condition is not bad for it's age and these do not appear for sale all that often in Europe, or the US, either, so I think Murph's value etimate is fair. Ed
Tangential question - what are Italy's rules on actually shooting antiques like this?
ol777gunnerz
Member
I don't believe it is a Smith, either. What's that big screw on top of the frame? Something about the cylinder is bothering me, too. I don't know about European values for a copy.
nicky4968
Member
The big screw is for cylinder removal.
C&Rsenal has a good video on this revolver on YouTube.
C&Rsenal has a good video on this revolver on YouTube.
The barrel stamp is Cyrillic and has been interpreted on a similar gun with serial number within a few hundred of this one as "Ludwig Loewe Co. Berlin Germany."
As Guy stated, the stamping is Cyrillic lettering indicating a standard Ludwig Loewe stamp found on the 3rd Models. The last two words translate to Berlin, Germany. All Smith & Wesson Russian contract guns also used Cyrillic stampings, but translated to the standard English Smith & Wesson address line of the era.
The screw is a standard feature on Smith & Wesson 44 Russian, copied by Ludwig Loewe. It actually held a clip in place that retained the cylinder, so removing the screw allowed the flat clip to be slid rearward and removed. The cylinder could then removed from the quill.
The screw is a standard feature on Smith & Wesson 44 Russian, copied by Ludwig Loewe. It actually held a clip in place that retained the cylinder, so removing the screw allowed the flat clip to be slid rearward and removed. The cylinder could then removed from the quill.
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BigBill
Absent Comrade
The Germans cloned a s&w 44 Russian revolver that's cool.
Major 2
Member
I can't state to value , I'd think due to rarity in the EU and a Ludwig Loew
I doubt you'll get hurt @ 1000 € ( $1215.00 US )
I doubt you'll get hurt @ 1000 € ( $1215.00 US )
It is unusual for a German manufacture with the credentials of Ludwig and Lowe to make a change that wasn't either necessary for patent infringement laws or a "better idea". Personally I like the cleaner look of the revolver without this screw, however in practice it might actually be a "better idea" for overall function. I have seen a number of break open Smith and Wesson revolvers with markings on the cylinder that occur if the release mechanism is allowed to contact the cylinder while removing it and have had that mark turn me off on a purchase, like the take down pin on a 1911 or Browning Hi-Power that was allowed to swing into the receiver, the "idiot mark". Interesting variation and I think the value of $1200 is fair all things considered.
