Updated: Model 3 DA, Factory Modified in '49, The SWHF is awesome!

[opoefc]

Don, I'll have to dig into my notes on WW2 Army events at the factory. Maybe "took over" is too strong of a description. I recall several comments in older documents about the Army running things and that probably referred to the Victory production processes. I was part of an Army team, from Aberdeen Ordnance, that Carl Hellstrom gave a tour of the new plant in early 1952, and we joked that we were there to take over the plant again. Ed.

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, Herb Bradley might well have put in the floating firing pin.
Or Somebody Else might have bought the firing pin kit from Christy and put it in. Dixie Gun Works was selling Christy stuff up into the 1970s.

 

[Modified]

Been taking some pictures.

just playing around with a light tent. This favorite of mine came out.

 

[tennexplorer]

Someone needs to send these photos to Uberti. A slightly longer cylinder to handle .44 Special, proper hardening of the hammer/trigger contacts, use the stronger Schofield lock and they would sell a bunch.

 

[Peak53]

Your light tent experiment is a grand success. That is one cool piece !! I suspect the old Russian can still do it's job. Who made those great grips?

 

[Modified]

Your light tent experiment is a grand success. That is one cool piece !! I suspect the old Russian can still do it's job. Who made those great grips?

They are Sandersons, I think for a K frame originally, someone started adapting them to the gun but never finished. I keep planning on getting around to having the job finished right but life keeps getting in the way.

 

[murphydog]

Does it take 3 1/2 years for the letter of authenticity and the SWHF records search? Inquiring minds want to know....

 

[model3sw]

Sure ... go ahead. Just dangle it under my nose some more.

It's known far and wide that I have no affection for the .44 DA first models (it's a personal thing) EXCEPT yours ! I think this one is magnificent.

Somebody loved this gun and it shows. It's probably as nice to shoot as it is easy on the eye to look at. If you come visit me I'll make up a bunch of gallery loads in smokeless that won't hurt it.

It warms me to know that such a nicely modified and unique S&W is in your protective custody.

 

[CH4]

Now that’s some sexy steel! I’ve never really been interested in that particular model, but that’s some beautiful craftsmanship - I’d defintely be proud to own it. Congrats!

 

[Modified]

Does it take 3 1/2 years for the letter of authenticity and the SWHF records search? Inquiring minds want to know....

I've never thought to letter it, since it seems to me that most of the interesting information has to do with the modifications.

The SWHF doesn't have 1943 records do they?

 

[TripLeader]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this!

A family hand-me-down New Model 3 in .44 Russian is what led me down the path into revolvers.

 

[glowe]

. . . and here I always thought that the factory stamped "B" in a diamond as shown on the butt-frame when they refinished a gun???

 

[Modified]

. . . and here I always thought that the factory stamped "B" in a diamond as shown on the butt-frame when they refinished a gun???

I'm a bit confused by this question.

Isn't that exactly what we see here?

 

[mm93]

. . . and here I always thought that the factory stamped "B" in a diamond as shown on the butt-frame when they refinished a gun???

Yes, it's one way they marked them, but not the only way. Over the decades S&W used various ways to mark refinish at the factory. The diamond B and Star are a couple. They also used a rectangle with codes inside it. My New Model #3 was factory refinished in 1978. The rectangle stamped under the grips was "R-N 78" for Refinished Nickel 1978.
I'm not positive, but I think the Diamond B was for blued guns. Not sure if nickeled got the B, or maybe an N?

 

[153]

The bobbed hammer has been very nicely color case hardened. Other than the factory , this was beyond the capabilities of all but a few high end gunsmiths - even 70 years ago.

Could this have been done by King's???

 

[Modified]

The bobbed hammer has been very nicely color case hardened. Other than the factory , this was beyond the capabilities of all but a few high end gunsmiths - even 70 years ago.

Could this have been done by King's???

I'm pretty firmly convinced that the 7.43 and diamond B indicate that the gun went back to the factory for this re-finish after the hammer was modified, and after the bulk of the modifications had been completed.

The only thing that looks to be post factory refinish was a further rounding of the trigger guard. Guessing it battered the hands a bit.

While I think it's possible that King might have done such re-finishes, I don't think they did this. When King did something he pretty much always made sure his name was stamped on it.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Very nice looking Double Action 44. I have certainly never seen a frame mounted firing pin on a S&W Number 3.

There is really nothing new about frame mounted firing pins on revolvers. When the Colt Richards Conversion came out about 1872, it featured a frame mounted firing pin.

The later Richards Mason Conversion did away with the frame mounted firing pin and relied on an extension of the hammer to fire the primers. This was done to cut down on the number of parts.

 

[jojodogfaceboy]

Just purchased this little gem. There's good things, there's bad things, there's a lot of mystery I'm hoping someone here may be able to help me with.

Here's what I know (or think I know):
* Confirmed it is Chambered in .44 Russian
* Shortened Barrel
* Bobbed Hammer w/ Firing Pin removed
* Firing Pin installed in the frame
* Modified sight (how did they do this?)
* Factory Reblue, probably in July of 1943
* Rounded rear of trigger guard, post re-blue sadly
* Sanderson stocks, maybe originally for a K frame?
* S/N 6482 with that lovely little Star next to it

As to questions regarding this gun I have a few:
1) Has anyone ever seen this hammer conversion before?
2) Any chance the hammer/barrel/sight were factory jobs in 1943?
3) Any of the wood wizards here want to take on the task of finishing the Sanderson fitting/modifications?

That is the best looking Bulldog I have ever seen
every detail just looks right.



what is the bbl length now? do you plan to carry it?

 

[Neil74]

I,ve seen this firearm in my dreams.... and even if I haven't I will from now on Absolutely a fine piece of art!

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Very nice find Caleb!