Smith & Wesson 1st model Double Action .44 Russian

[JBBOOKS]

I am thinking about purchasing a Smith & Wesson 1st Model Double Action in .44 Russian from a local gun shop. The serial number is 5698. The revolver is in about 60% condition with good bluing and a little bit of pitting in the barrel. Price is $950.
Was this a black powder cartridge only revolver or could smokeless powder .44 Russian be used. Can anyone tell me the year this was made? Any help would be appreciated

 

[opoefc]

.44DA, ser. # 5698, was made Apr.10, 1882, as a blue gun with hard rubber stocks. Any 44Russian ammo can be used, assuming the gun is in good mechanical condition, as modern smokeless loadings are to the same pressures as black powder rounds. Having said that, unless you plan to reload, you won't find 44Russian ammo available very often. $950 is in the ball park for value as a shooter, but I would offer less, unless you can get them to thrown in some ammo. Ed

 

[sigp220.45]

Midway has Fiocchi .44 Russian in stock, but its pricey. I've shot it in my beater First Model DA and it functioned fine.

Fiocchi Ammo 44 Russian 247 Grain Lead Round Nose Box of 50

 

[mrcvs]

I would be concerned with firing anything but black powder ONLY in your revolver.

 

[Oyeboteb]

I would be concerned with firing anything but black powder ONLY in your revolver.

I Load my own, and, I stay with Black Powder for my S & W New Model 3s and .44 Top-Break DAs, even as I would do if they had been made after 1900.

.44 Russian especially, was and remains at it's best in every way, just how it was designed - as a Black Powder Cartridge.