What year is this?

[Cronus73]

Heres a challenge for you guys. I have no idea how old this is but id love to know. This gun has so much personality and i love it. All the information you can find would be GREATLY appreciated. All it says is
"SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT'D JAN 17 & 24. 65. JULY 11. 65./AUG 24. 69. APR 20. 75 FEB 20. & DEC 18. 1877 REISSUE JULY 25. 1871."
It also has the SN"233XX"
I would like the find the exact date of manufacture. Also the trigger guard doesnt have an extra spur sticking out the bottom its just a plain rounded trigger guard. Thanks so much.
EDIT
It does not have amy more numbers or markings indicating model or caliber but i do know its a .44 russian
6.5 inch barrel
Nickel plated
Fixed sights
There is a strain screw
It DOES have a lanyard swivel
And i can take more pics if that helps

 

[bobsguns]

That is the ultra-rare Henway model.

 

[Alk8944]

That is the ultra-rare Henway model.

And you are jonesing for someone to ask "What's a henway?" Depends on the breed, but about 5-6 pounds on average.

For the OP, cronus73, go to the post this link takes you to and read it in full. Provide as many of the answers as you can. You don't need to start a new post, click the Edit button at the bottom of your original. :To IDENTIFY your Gun >

You haven't given nearly enough information for us to answer your question. Photos would be extremely useful too.

 

[gmborkovic]

The hint is right there. Spur on the trigger guard.

 

[Alk8944]

The hint is right there. Spur on the trigger guard.

No, he said it doesn't have a spur on the triggerguard!! If he had said it did then it would obviously be a Russian.

 

[Cronus73]

.

And you are jonesing for someone to ask "What's a henway?" Depends on the breed, but about 5-6 pounds on average.

For the OP, cronus73, go to the post this link takes you to and read it in full. Provide as many of the answers as you can. You don't need to start a new post, click the Edit button at the bottom of your original. :To IDENTIFY your Gun >

You haven't given nearly enough information for us to answer your question. Photos would be extremely useful too.

I just added a pic and more info i hope that helps. I really appreciate you guys help

 

[Kinman]

I fully understand your interest, their character speaks volumes. I glommed onto this one a few years back...with the water dragon on the stocks it seems to belong stashed in some Philippine pirate's sash.

 

[gmborkovic]

Sorry, I have to wear my glasses when on the Forum.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Welcome to our Group!

From the pic, it is a New Model Number 3. The lanyard doesn't
look original. The serial number being in the 23K range puts it
at about the 2/3rds point in production (from 1 to 35796). This
model was made from 1878 to 1898 but was sold from stock up
to 1912.

S&W doesn't keep manufacture dates of revolvers. Their records
will only show when it was sold.

Standard barrel length was 6-1/2 inches but other lengths were
available upon request. Blue was the standard finish but nickel
was also available (engraving and special finishes were available
at extra cost).

Roughly 1/3 of the entire production was purchased by Japan
for their military (most went to their Royal Navy).


Cheers!
Webb

 

[Cronus73]

Thats awesome info and i really appreciate it!

 

[hdfinder47]

WHEW!! Ya' scared me when I read the thread title. Thought you might have lost it.
Seriously, that's a very interesting piece - nice find. Wish these things could talk - bet it could tell some stories!
Ed

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


The serial number was stamped on the butt of the grip. It was
also stamped on the back of the cylinder, the barrel, the underside
of the barrel latch and on the inside of the right-hang grip panel.

I've posted some pics to show where to look. These are pics of
my NM#3 that was sold to Takata & Co. Japan.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[Cronus73]

The sn# is 233XX

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

The sn# is 233XX

Yes, I understand. Are the other parts mentioned also have the
same serial number?


Cheers!
Webb

 

[Cronus73]

Yeah its on the butt, cylinder, barrel, latch that closes the gun i didnt notice it in the grip but it might be there ill have to check later

 

[Cronus73]

Also if i remove the lanyard swivel it has a 2stamped on one side of the hole and an 8 on the other side

 

[Masterpiece]

Here's a challenge for you guys. I have no idea how old this is but I'd love to know. This gun has so much personality and i love it.

All it says is
"SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT'D JAN 17 & 24. 65. JULY 11. 65./AUG 24. 69. APR 20. 75 FEB 20. & DEC 18. 1877 REISSUE JULY 25. 1871."
It also has the SN"233XX".
It does not have any more numbers or markings indicating model or caliber but I do know its a .44 Russian-6.5 inch barrel-Fixed sights-It DOES have a lanyard swivel.

Cronus73,

From what I see by your photo...And the information you've provided...I believe it's safe to say as Webb (wlw19958) has already made note of...Your revolver is most certainly a NM#3!!

Some add'l information is this...Given the Ser.No. & another thing I took notice of which I'll ask about a bit later...It was most likely shipped to Japan through Takata & Co. in One of Two Large Shipments of NM3's by them on either Jun.27th or Aug.18th,1887!! The only way to narrow those dates down any closer is to request a Factory Letter through the Historical Foundation!!

Given the above...I've also attached a Link below that I believe should take you there for instructions for you to download to make that request if you're so inclined to do so!! ( https://swhistoricalfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SWHF-Letter-of-Authenticity-Form.pdf )

The question I have...As I made note I'd ask earlier...Could you possibly post a Photo of the Butt Ser. No. so we can see if the Ser.No. was relocated sideways on the Butt!! The reason I ask is I believe the Lanyard Ring is the type installed by one of the Japanese Arsenals when it arrived in Japan & would verify my suspicion it was most likely in One of the Two Shipments I made mention of above...Appreciate it if you could post one!! Thanks in advance!!

 

[Cronus73]

I just updated the pics and i think your right!

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Your updated pics show a notch on the butt. This was for a de-
tachable shoulder stock. Is there a hole in the backstrap up near
the knuckle? That would be the other point of attachment.

The serial number stamped crosswise on the butt is an indication
the shoulder stock cut was done at the Factory.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[Cronus73]

Yes it does have another hole on the back and i never would have thought it came with a stock. You guys are amazing with this stuff. I wanna learn all i can about it. Ive had it about 3 days now and i cant put this thing down lol