Smith & Wesson Russian Project

[BMur]

I've been meaning to get this old Smith back in shape for years. All this lockdown has given me more time in the shop.
Making your own wood grips can really be a lot of fun and rewarding. I haven't made wood grips for a while but it sure is motivating once they take shape. I'm hooked on the project now.
Original grips are almost impossible to find and I don't like the reproductions. They never fit right.
I'm thinking a dark walnut color?

Murph

 

[StrawHat]

Very dark walnut would be appropriate to the age of the revolver. So would black.

Do you plan to checker them?

Kevin

 

[BMur]

Checkered grips?

Kevin,
Too late for that unfortunately. I already stained them. I'll install escutcheons later today and dull the finish a little bit.

Murph

 

[Oyeboteb]

What Model Revolver is this?

Post us a picture of the whole Gun so we can see it?

Good Work there with the Stocks! Woo Hoo!

If anyone wants, I have lots f Native Kansas Air dried Black Walnut, which is perfect to make 'period' stocks with...happy to share it..!

 

[StrawHat]

Kevin,
Too late for that unfortunately. I already stained them. I'll install escutcheons later today and dull the finish a little bit.

Murph

They look good.

Kevin

 

[singleshot1891]

I think that looks fine, Murph.
Not original to the revolver, but they look good.
Knock that shine off them, and you're golden. What else you gonna do with a 145ish year old revolver ?

WB

 

[BMur]

Project purpose?

Actually,
The purpose of this project is to have a longer grip frame for my target 32-44 & 44 Russian New model 3. I had to fit the barrel and posts/latch to this frame since it's an earlier 44 Russian frame. They do not swap but the machine work was minimal.

I honestly can't grip the New Model 3 well enough to Target shoot. However, the Russian grip is excellent for me personally.
I know, I could have just made some custom grips? It's not the same! I can dial this Russian in to have a hair trigger like I prefer without tinkering with the original. Just personal preference. Plus, having a functional part opens many doors.

Murph

 

[iby]

walnut

What Model Revolver is this?

Post us a picture of the whole Gun so we can see it?

Good Work there with the Stocks! Woo Hoo!

If anyone wants, I have lots f Native Kansas Air dried Black Walnut, which is perfect to make 'period' stocks with...happy to share it..!

A very generous offer, Sir

 

[iby]

frankengun

Actually,
The purpose of this project is to have a longer grip frame for my target 32-44 & 44 Russian New model 3. I had to fit the barrel and posts/latch to this frame since it's an earlier 44 Russian frame. They do not swap but the machine work was minimal.

I honestly can't grip the New Model 3 well enough to Target shoot. However, the Russian grip is excellent for me personally.
I know, I could have just made some custom grips? It's not the same! I can dial this Russian in to have a hair trigger like I prefer without tinkering with the original. Just personal preference. Plus, having a functional part opens many doors.

Murph

Yes.
Pictures would be very interesting

 

[BMur]

Custom target Grip.

Here ya go Iby,
Again, The New Model 3 is a wonderful Antique gun but for me personally I can't grip it well enough to "Target" Shoot. I have to be able to use all 4 fingers to tame recoil. Plus the old model Russian has the "hump" above the grip that also helps to tame recoil and maintain a solid grip on the frame to place each shot at point of aim. I think it looks good and the feel is perfect for me personally.
I'm not sure why Smith & Wesson didn't manufacture the longer grip frame for the New Model 3 Target and also what was actually used at the Bisley Target Matches? if you look at the 22, and 38 cal single shot Target pistols? You will see a factory custom target grip that is much longer than the standard grip. Why not the New Model 3? I don't know.

Murph

 

[Oyeboteb]

Here ya go Iby,
Again, The New Model 3 is a wonderful Antique gun but for me personally I can't grip it well enough to "Target" Shoot. I have to be able to use all 4 fingers to tame recoil. Plus the old model Russian has the "hump" above the grip that also helps to tame recoil and maintain a solid grip on the frame to place each shot at point of aim. I think it looks good and the feel is perfect for me personally.
I'm not sure why Smith & Wesson didn't manufacture the longer grip frame for the New Model 3 Target and also what was actually used at the Bisley Target Matches? if you look at the 22, and 38 cal single shot Target pistols? You will see a factory custom target grip that is much longer than the standard grip. Why not the New Model 3? I don't know.

Murph

Hi Murph!

And the Grip of the Big Frame "DA"s was shorter again yet than the Grip of the New Model 3s...eeeesh!

Of course, most people were smaller then, than we are now.

But, .44 Russian in a Model 3 or New Model 3 or in the 'DA' would have been a handfull for a fellow who was 5'4" and 125 lbs.

I have seen at least one example of an over-size 'Target Stocks" for the New Model 3...which were likely Home Made, and from the time, and were quite nice, so, we can suppose people did sometimes make their own or commission them to be made, for having a larger/longer Grip.

 

[BMur]

Bisley Match History?

Yeah Phil,
It's really difficult to find any information on the early Bisley Matches. Apparently they were not well recorded until about 1950. Most of those were by military rifle teams that participated in the events.

Every once in a while you might stumble on a photo or two, postcard? or minimal records. Which is really unfortunate.

Check out the rare Bisley shooting photo from 1914. The rules are listed as two events. One at 20 yards and the second at 50 yards. You'd get two 6 shot attempts with 30 seconds to shoot all 6 in each round. So 12 shots in all. Then I guess you tally up your score.

However, in the second photo? You can see a target that was recorded from a New Model 3 (caliber not specified)in about 1908! That's the date of the advertisement but the target might actually be much earlier?

It also does not state at what distance it was shot. I tend to believe that it was a 20 yard target but I have absolutely no proof of that. Just my opinion.

I've seen other targets from New Model 3's but I can't remember where I have that information. If I can think of it I will post those also.

None of the photo's that I have ever seen show a New Model 3 Target with "Target" type grips which to me is also "Hard to understand". Even the Colt Bisley has "Target style" oversized grips. That was in fact a target gun introduced in 1894. So it really is beyond me why the New Model 3 that was proven to shoot with extreme accuracy at the events did not have target grips? Hey, maybe it did? I don't know. Talk about rare. I've never seen or even heard of a set of target grips for a New Model 3 but it makes perfect sense that this target gun would have them available.

Murph

 

[BMur]

More targets for New Model 3

Here is another old ad showing 3 New Model 3 Target Pistol targets that appear to be 50 yard targets.( Photo 1)

(Photo 2) is the official 20 meter Pistol target As a comparison.

( Photo 3) is the official 50 meter Pistol target As a comparison.

The old ad shows the old target design having the scoring numbers printed vertically and only on the Lower rings of the target.


Murph

 

[Oyeboteb]

Yeah Phil,
It's really difficult to find any information on the early Bisley Matches. Apparently they were not well recorded until about 1950. Most of those were by military rifle teams that participated in the events.

Every once in a while you might stumble on a photo or two, postcard? or minimal records. Which is really unfortunate.

Check out the rare Bisley shooting photo from 1914. The rules are listed as two events. One at 20 yards and the second at 50 yards. You'd get two 6 shot attempts with 30 seconds to shoot all 6 in each round. So 12 shots in all. Then I guess you tally up your score.

However, in the second photo? You can see a target that was recorded from a New Model 3 (caliber not specified)in about 1908! That's the date of the advertisement but the target might actually be much earlier?

It also does not state at what distance it was shot. I tend to believe that it was a 20 yard target but I have absolutely no proof of that. Just my opinion.

I've seen other targets from New Model 3's but I can't remember where I have that information. If I can think of it I will post those also.

None of the photo's that I have ever seen show a New Model 3 Target with "Target" type grips which to me is also "Hard to understand". Even the Colt Bisley has "Target style" oversized grips. That was in fact a target gun introduced in 1894. So it really is beyond me why the New Model 3 that was proven to shoot with extreme accuracy at the events did not have target grips? Hey, maybe it did? I don't know. Talk about rare. I've never seen or even heard of a set of target grips for a New Model 3 but it makes perfect sense that this target gun would have them available.

Murph

Hi Murph,

Seems odd and unexpected to me also that we find no period mentions or Catalog illustrations of Target ( larger / longer - oversize - sculpted ) Stocks for the New Model 3 Revolvers.

It would have been welcome, and helped with comfort, I am sure, had S & W offered a few basic versions of such.

Too bad we can not just write off to Mr. Gagne / Roper and order some lovely ones!

We were born too late, darn it..!