Two .44 Russians and two questions

[MrOnetwo]

Hi there. Im totally new here so bare with me...

I have two S&W 44 Russians mod 3....well, actually, that blued one is made by Ludwig Loewe. Iv picked them apart, and the differences are uber small.

However. Iv just bought that nickel plated one. And would like to know if anybody could help me find some info about it. I mean by the serial number.... 39932. The writing on it is in english.

If anybody would estimate the value on them that would be nice too.

Second question is about an old S&W caliber. The 32-44.. Iv been arround the internett to find out something about it. But it seems like nobody really knows this cartridge. I would like to see a picture or adrawing of the bullet used in this round. Any information at all is welcome.

I might be up at tree questions by now, but I think you can handle it.

Have a great one....

 

[Thuer]

The .32-44 cartridge was intend for the New Model 3.
The bullet is completly in the case. The case fill out the complete cilinder. The tought behind it was that the bullet don't damage when fired and fly directly in the forcing cone.
It wasnt a big sucsess. There is also a .38-44 not to confuse with the later .38-44 wich was a extra powered .38 special.

 

[MrOnetwo]

Yes that is what Iv heard too. That the casing was just as long as the cylinder. But I dont get that. The cylinder was just as big as it is on the .44, atleast that is what Iv been told. And that cylinder measures 1.42". The 32-44 casing measures .96-.98"... And Iv been told that the 32-44 had a remarkable accuracy.

I would realy like to know the true story about this round. Because Im about to buy myself a model 3 in just that caliber. Im planning to use it in the MLAIC competitions.

 

[Jim Watson]

The .32-44 is not the full length of the NM No 3 cylinder (the .38-44 is).

Do you have a source of ammunition or brass lined up? I have read that you can form it from .32 - 20.

 

[opoefc]

The nickel plated gun above is a civilian (non-military) 3rd model Russian made by S&W, sometimes called the New Model Russian. Calibers are S&W .44Russian and .44 Henry Rimfire. There are different markings on the top of the barrel on some of these guns. What does yours say? These guns were made between 1874 1n3 1878 and are black powder guns. See page 95 in the Standard catalog of S&W, 3rd edit., for a discussion of you gun's model. Ed.

 

[MrOnetwo]

Iv taken two photos so you can read the barrel address...

Do you guys know how the 32-44 perform compared to the .44 Russian? I mean in the accuracy department... I might be able to buy an old Ideal mold. I hope that is the right one for the caliber. The mold has the stamp: 32-44-83 on it.

 

[model3sw]

If you need ammo for the .32-44, I only know of one guy (other than myself) that loads it ... see: Stars and Stripes Custom Ammunition, call the owner, Clint. Tell him Sal from West Palm Beach referred you. I'm waiting on 4 boxes, 2 standard boxes and 2 gallery load boxes. currently. The brass is near impossible to find as it is a REAL .32 / size. .323 not .311 or .312 I've been told a .32.-40 Winchester Shell cut down case before it "necks in" would work (never tried). I researched to find that .32 Ideal brass should work ( after cut down) but trying to find .32 Ideal is just as hard as finding .32-44 brass. I have some photocopied page from VERY OLD S&W catalog showing the round, and some formulas (I think) attributed to A.L.A. Himmelwright. I could have sworn I saw a formula in an old Phillip Sharpe publications, somewhere, but while researching it a few weeks ago, could not place the caliber in the book. GOOD LUCK. Sal Raimondi SWCA#1300

 

[MrOnetwo]

Thank you, Ill send him a note. I will try to cut and fireform 32-20 brass first. If that becomes a questionable success Ill try your hint....

Iv just found out that I can afford the revolver, so Im one big happy camper. Ill use it in the black powder competitions (MLAIC). Im pretty confident that this round is accurate. Have you had any luck with the round? I also got a mold comin my way. Its an old Ideal mold. It says 32-44-83 on the side of the mold, so I figured that has to be the one I should get. If not, Im the owner of an old Ideal mold anyway. Ill use blackpowder only. Wano ppp and Swiss No. 2. Hopefully Wano does it, way cheaper.