What model question about my S&W

[sharps_74]

I know it's a Smith. Anybody know what model it is? (Yes, it is cut. It's still a great weapon)

 

[sharps_74]

I know it's a Smith. Anybody know what model it is? (Yes, it is cut. It's still a great weapon)

 

[Art Doc]

I don't know what it is but I like it.

How central are you in Central Arkansas? There are at least two of us here who live in Little Rock.

 

[moosedog]

Looks like a 1st model 44 DA. Very interesting considering the work looks newer, not old school.
Is that finish just polished bare metal or matt nickel?

 

[opoefc]

What's the serial number? It appears to be a Model 1880 .44DA, but could also be a clone foreign copy. Why do you think it's a Smith & Wesson?

 

[sharps_74]

Originally posted by SaxonPig:
I don't know what it is but I like it.

How central are you in Central Arkansas? There are at least two of us here who live in Little Rock.

She is a beauty and wow what a shooter. Cool, I'm between Paron and Ferndale about 26 +/- miles from Little Rock.

 

[sharps_74]

Looks like a 1st model 44 DA. Very interesting considering the work looks newer, not old school.
Is that finish just polished bare metal or matt nickel?

I'm not sure when it was done. It seems to resist powder residue like nickel.I was told it was a 1st model (3rd change?) by a man that had a table full of collectable weapons. He seemed to know what he was talking about and had no reason to lie to me.

 

[sharps_74]

Originally posted by opoefc:
What's the serial number? It appears to be a Model 1880 .44DA, but could also be a clone foreign copy. Why do you think it's a Smith & Wesson?

The number is almost gone. I see numbers on the butt of the weapon. 9306x is what I can read. with the 93 being on top and offset from the last numbers. Hope that helps.

 

[cgt4570]

The serial number should also be found on the cylinder face, between the 'ears' of the barrel latch, on the latch itself, and possibly on the inside of the sideplate.

Yes, what you have is a .44 DA. also known as a 'New Model Navy' by early factory literature. This must be very late one, or maybe someone fitted a cylinder from a New Model #3 single action. All the early .44 DA's had the unique dual cylinder stops.

From the picture, it looks like it still locks up nice and tight.

I've got one in blue with 5 inch barrel that letters as shipping to London in 1897. It's a fun shooter!

BTW, I'm pretty sure it isn't a clone or copy. Even though they resemble Smiths at first glance, I've never seen one with same lines, and shapes. Especially the unique trigger shape.

Chris Taylor

 

[sharps_74]

Originally posted by cgt4570:
The serial number should also be found on the cylinder face, between the 'ears' of the barrel latch, on the latch itself, and possibly on the inside of the sideplate.

Yes, what you have is a .44 DA. also known as a 'New Model Navy' by early factory literature. This must be very late one, or maybe someone fitted a cylinder from a New Model #3 single action. All the early .44 DA's had the unique dual cylinder stops.

From the picture, it looks like it still locks up nice and tight.

I've got one in blue with 5 inch barrel that letters as shipping to London in 1897. It's a fun shooter!

BTW, I'm pretty sure it isn't a clone or copy. Even though they resemble Smiths at first glance, I've never seen one with same lines, and shapes. Especially the unique trigger shape.

Chris Taylor

Thanks. Was it made by S&W? One of the things that throws me is that there's no side plate that I can see. That's not to say that there is none, for I've worked metal (silver & gold) in the past and made two pieces so tight together that even under 10x nobody could tell that they were two pieces. I see a set of numbers in the place where you said by the latch. There's also a "proofmark" on the frame under the grip. It looks to be a cross. Is there a place that I may find info. on this weapon and maybe a value? It does lock up nicely. I'm still working on a load for it, it seem to like about 15.3gr. of 777 under a 240gr. lead bullet. what load do you use in yours?

 

[cgt4570]

I'm sorry. I stand corrected. It is a clone and not made by S&W. It's the first one I've seen that had so many lines in common. Most of the clones have bulkier looks. But like you pointed out, there is no sideplate. It should appear on the left side. Also, there is too much metal on the barrel assembly at the front bottom of the cylinder. It's either Spanish or Belgian. Post a pic of the proof mark and someone can probably tell you which.

Chris

 

[sharps_74]

Here are the proofmarks. The cross is found under the right grip. The other proofmark is found on the back of the cylinder.

 

[dan_is_dea_mann]

If you ever thought of selling it, I would be interested

 

[sharps_74]

Originally posted by cgt4570:
I'm sorry. I stand corrected. It is a clone and not made by S&W. It's the first one I've seen that had so many lines in common. Most of the clones have bulkier looks. But like you pointed out, there is no sideplate. It should appear on the left side. Also, there is too much metal on the barrel assembly at the front bottom of the cylinder. It's either Spanish or Belgian. Post a pic of the proof mark and someone can probably tell you which.

Chris

Chris, I think it my very well be I that am corrected. I was talking to a friend that has been a gunsmith longer than I've been around. He told me to look inside of the revolver by removing the grips to see if I can see any sign of a sideplate. It looks to my eyes that there is in fact one. However, I won't take it apart as it may just be chromed over instead of just a very tight juncture of the sideplate and the frame.

 

[sharps_74]

Originally posted by dan_is_dea_mann:
If you ever thought of selling it, I would be interested

How do I contact you?