Engraved Smith & Wesson S&W Third Model Russian .44 6.5″ Revolver Antique

SOLD FOR: $2525.01

LSB#: 230408JP001

Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: Third Model Russian, Reissue, (New Model Russian or Model No. Three Russian 3rd Model)

Serial Number: 3426

Year of Manufacture: 1877

Caliber: .44 S&W Russian

Action Type: Top Break Single Action Revolver with Auto Ejector

Markings: The barrel’s top rib is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT’D JAN. 17 & 24. 65. JULY 11. 65 AUG. 24. 69. JAN. 19 1875 REISSUE JULY 25, 1871”. The butt of the grip frame is marked with the serial number and “1874” in a box.  The rear face of the barrel is marked “3426” and the bottom of the latch is marked “3426”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “918 / B”. The revolver has extensive scroll engraving coverage throughout.

Barrel Length: 6 ½”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tapered blade integral to the barrel’s rib. The rear sight is a “U”-notch integral to the barrel latch assembly.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece antique smooth ivory with heavy grain lines. There is a filled loss on the bottom face of the left panel. There are some scattered areas of wear on the edges that contact the frame. There are some scattered light handling marks and areas of minor wear. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Nickel

Finish Originality: We see nothing to indicate that new finish has been applied. The cylinder is a replacement.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is worn. There is heavy scabbing and pitting throughout the bore. In my opinion, this bore is a 1 out of 10. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 0% of its metal finish. The metal has worn bright and has a coat of discoloration from previous oxidation and areas of patina. There are areas of erosion and light pitting throughout. The replacement cylinder has some patina in the flutes, the color leads me to think the replacement cylinder may have been blued originally. There are nicks, scuffs, and scrapes, the heaviest marks into the metal are on the cylinder. There are some scattered handling marks and operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The cylinder overrotates. The cylinder locks up with little play and the trigger pull is crisp. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be required to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Smith & Wesson letter.

Our Assessment: When Smith & Wesson began making centerfire top break revolvers in 1870, they named the large framed .44 Model “No. 3”. This was followed by the .38 Model No. 2 in 1876 and the .32 Model No. 1 ½ 1878, based on frame sizes, not date of manufacture. All were made first in single action, and later double action models were added. The single action versions of the Model 3 were made in four distinct groups: Americans, Russians, Schofields and New Models. The Russian models are distinguished by having a round butt grip frame with extreme knuckle, a barrel latch mounted on the top strap vs. on the frame, and were in .44 caliber with 6 ½ or 7” barrels. The Russian Empire didn’t follow through with payments, nearly bankrupting Smith & Wesson, and would then reverse-engineer the revolver’s design. This one shipped in 1877 to M.W. Robinson in New York. Jinks states that the grips were likely an addition by Robinson for a customer, so with that in mind it would be no surprise if they also did the engraving. The gun has some wear, but is beautiful nonetheless. It has old world charm and old school engraving paired with a pair of antique ivory grips. This will be a fantastic addition to any collection!! Please see our photos and good luck!

Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red