tip up revolver, help me ID

[armadilloarms]

pics coming

serial number 5179


tip up with auto eject

appears to be SA/DA but it wont the hammer wont cock

cylinder measures Cartridge .465 ish

bore measures .425

bore is rifled


value would be nice.... there is substantial pitting and it appears to have been sanded by the owner at some time...

thanks to you all

 

[GaryHK]

1st model .44

Grips are not original. Beyond that others have more expertise. NO idea on value.

 

[glowe]

It is either a 44 Double Action in 44 Russian, or a 44 Double Action Frontier in 44-40. The cylinder length of the 44 Russian is 1 7/16" while the 44-40 is 1 9/16 " long. Your revolver looks to have the shorter cylinder, but can be identified by simply measuring the cylinder length.

Rough condition, non-original stocks, and not working limits the value substantially. Actually, value would be difficult to come up with, maybe $250 - maybe $400??

 

[armadilloarms]

its the 1 9/16

thanks everyone

Sean

 

[Wiregrassguy]

By the way, it is a "top break," not a "tip up." S&W made both but the tip ups are generally smaller caliber and rim fire, not center fire.

 

[mmaher94087]

Even though the cylinder is 1 9/16" (which could indicate the .44-40) there is a way to tell if the revolver is .44 Russian or .44-40 Win. The Russian cylinder will have a sharp case stop about 3/4 of the way in. The .44-40 has two barely noticeable steps in the cylinder.

 

[glowe]

The serial numberis much too early to be a 44 Russian. The long cylinder on 44 Russian caliber DAs started around after about 15,000 and the OPs number is in the 5000 range.

 

[mmaher94087]

"...much too early to be a 44 Russian." S/B .44-40, I think? Or did I have that wrong?

 

[BMur]

Restoration Project

In my opinion your Frontier 44 is a great candidate for a quality restoration. The large frame double actions are going for quite a bit right now but they must be in at least decent condition. Most that I have seen have been refinished and/or restored in some obvious way. So, it's up to you what you want to do with it. I guess it also depends on how much you already have into it. Hopefully not too much.

That serial number range puts production date in the early to mid 1890's. I can also see from your photo's that the barrel lacks a caliber stamp and also the right side frame lacks the S&W logo. That's also proof that it left the factory prior to 1898.

Murph

 

[glowe]

When the 44 Double Action was introduced in 1881, all had short cylinders. The long cylinder did not exist until the introduction of the 44 DA Frontier in 1886. Sometime after that date, the factory started using the long cylinder for both models. 44 DA in 44 Russian serial number that shipped near 1886 was around 15,000.

My selection of serial number 15,000 in 1st Models was meant to be the earliest possible date for a long frame 44 DA Russian since there were no long cylinders until production of the Frontier was started in 1886. What we do not have established is the exact date and serial number when the long frame became common in 44 Russian. The earliest long frame 44 DA in 44 Russian in my collecting them was 33,XXX.

So bottom line is that any serial number under 15,XXX with a long cylinder had to be a 44 DA Frontier.

 

[BMur]

38/40 Frontier

Let's not forget the rare Frontier 38/40 Double Action large frame.
1 of 276 manufactured. Serial numbered from 1 to 276.

A quote from Roy Jinks book page 135:
" The 38 Winchester double action is the rarest of the Model 3 frame size double action revolvers."

Mine isn't in great shape but it was way low so I had to have it.

Murph

 

[armadilloarms]

who is a good restoration expert for this?

id be interested in getting a quote

thank you