Help with antique S&W

[brokeasajoke]

Bullet diameter of a 44 Russian is .429”. So your measurements are close.

I agree with it being a 44 Russian. The difference in length looks right. WH

I'm not saying it is not a Russian, I'm saying the mouth of the case isn't even close to the throat with the special pushed in as far as it will go. A Russian will probably fit but it will be a mile away from the throat. Russians may be that way.

 

[Blackthorn]

I'm not saying it is not a Russian, I'm saying the mouth of the case isn't even close to the throat with the special pushed in as far as it will go. A Russian will probably fit but it will be a mile away from the throat. Russians may be that way.

It could also be a modified cylinder to another caliber. Not common but not unheard of.
You are definitely making the right decision on making a chamber cast.

 

[brokeasajoke]

It could also be a modified cylinder to another caliber. Not common but not unheard of.
You are definitely making the right decision on making a chamber cast.

That's what had me thinking 44-40 as it is slightly bottle necked.

 

[snert]

As of right now it's not mine to sell and @joshb beat ya too it. We're all the older .44s smaller diameter than what we have now? Even as worn as the bore is, lead still comes out .424-.427 depending where I measured on the bullet.

Am I surprised at ths? Nope!

 

[Tommie]

For $200, I’d buy it in a second! Neat piece of history. I’d make a little stand for it and put it on the mantle!
Addition : Buy it for me and send it! I’ll reimburse you! I’m serious! FFL transfer and shipping!
I’ll cover it!

Absolutely

 

[joshb]

 

[brokeasajoke]

View attachment 1503147

Most of the triggers look way different than the one I have. Zoom in and look at the trigger if you can. May just be a different generation of the model 3.

 

[joshb]

Most of the triggers look way different than the one I have. Zoom in and look at the trigger if you can. May just be a different generation of the model 3.

Yup….it’s a conundrum. The trigger and guard look like an earlier model but the stamp has “1880” in it. Have you figured out if it’s the 44-40?
The text mentions “they initially offered the new model on original frames”. I think it’s an early model 3.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Many claim Wyatt Earp used one of these at the OK Corral shoot out and did not carry a colt.

 

[Fuj]

Wyatt Earps Biographer and other's of the time say he used the
model 3 at OK Corral.

 

[BobT]

Yup….it’s a conundrum. The trigger and guard look like an earlier model but the stamp has “1880” in it. Have you figured out if it’s the 44-40?
The text mentions “they initially offered the new model on original frames”. I think it’s an early model 3.

The Model 3 was a single action, this one looks like it is a double action. I'll stick with the first model double action .44.

 

[joshb]

The Model 3 was a single action, this one looks like it is a double action. I'll stick with the first model double action .44.

I’m finding variations of the “model 3” in my limited google foo research. Information, of course, varies depending on the knowledge of the “expert”.
Shooting myself in the foot, as it were, by posting the price of one posting I found, but that gun was in much better shape.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Since I'm impatient and can't weight for cerrosafe I done a wax cast of cylinder. Next to a special in one pic and next to special and 44 mag with very rough numbers. Is it just my eyes or do others see bottle neck on wax?

 

[Fuj]

I see the bottle neck and believe you have the 44/40.....

 

[brokeasajoke]

The Model 3 was a single action, this one looks like it is a double action. I'll stick with the first model double action .44.

It is indeed a double action.

 

[cmysix]

S&W forum, someone there can tell you everything about it, the wealth of knowledge of S&W on that forum is amazing!

 

[brokeasajoke]

Magtech 410 brass will slide partially in the chamber and will not go into my special or 44 mag but I dont guess that really means anything. The .410 brass measures .466 at the mouth. I believe the 44-40 is slightly larger than special or Russian but this is an old gun with rust and wear

 

[brokeasajoke]

I have run a cross a "frontier" model this morning with the same trigger design. Think they began in 1886.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Well the answer is 44-40. Finally got a piece of 44-40 brass and it's a perfect fit and up next to the throat.

 

[Fuj]

You have some black powder on hand ?? 40 grains of it, and
cast some bullets. Have fun with it......