Top Break ID

[jengelguns]

I have a customer that brought this revolver in to the shop to help identify it. I assume that it is going to be a .44 Russian or .44 SW chambering. The short underlug and two screws in the latch have me stumped. The barrel is just under 7" long. Most of the stamping is gone. I can just make out SMITH on the front side of the barrel rib. The serial number is 1635. If I can get some help identifying it for the customer, that would be great. It gets really confusing with all the variations. Thanks in advance.

 

[gmarshall99]

It has a Schofield type latch. I believe the latch on older No. 3 models had the latch on the barrel.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I'm afraid I cannot tell you for sure who made this but it is a copy
of a S&W Schofield model. Probably made either in Belgium or
Spain. Have you removed the cylinder and looked at the underside
of the top/bottom straps for proof marks? That could help in identifying
the country of origin.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[jengelguns]

I have not checked in that location for proof marks. The customer let me take pics to help ID the gun but he took it home with him. I didn't even think to look under there.

 

[BMur]

Belgium copy

They were made from the 1890's until about 1912 depending upon the proof marks found they can be generally dated.

Also if you remove the left side grip you often will find the makers signature stamp on the metal grip frame. I have a book that will identify who it was if it's still legible.

It's in pretty rough shape. I doubt the stamps are still visible. They did have barrel stamps but this one is obliterated.

Murph

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Hi There,

I'm afraid I cannot tell you for sure who made this but it is a copy
of a S&W Schofield model. Probably made either is Belgium or
Spain. Have you removed the cylinder and looked at the underside
of the top/bottom straps for proof marks? That could help in identifying
the country of origin.

Cheers!
Webb

I agree on the two countries of origin. from the muzzle back to the hammer and rear of the trigger guard it has a New Model 3 look with minimal lug under the barrel. But there is no little hump on the grip frame like an NM 3 has. Then it starts to look like a Schofield right there. But then the whole grip frame distorts downward to one similar to an American.

 

[gunbarrel]

TOP BREAK ID

I think it's one of many Spanish copies of S&W revolvers. Click on the attached PDF file and take a look at figures 2 & 3. It looks kind of like the second one, but it has the Schofield lock of the third one.

I own a Spanish copy of the S&W Russian Model model used by a Spaniard during the Spanish American War. I'll see if I have a picture handy, and I'll post it.

 

[gunbarrel]

My Spanish copy of a .44 caliber S&W Russian Model. All identification is inscribed on top of the rib on the barrel.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Does NY-1 mean something about New York? Or some LE agency in New York? Just trying to learn a little about these oldies. Thanks.