Guns International #: 101573757
Seller's Inventory #: 190641

Category - Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Antique - .44 Russian Revolvers

Category
Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Antique
.44 Russian Revolvers

.44 RUSSIAN MODEL Antique S&W No. 3 REVOLVER c1874 Model John Wesley Hardin Gunned Down Deputy Webb

Description:
.44 RUSSIAN MODEL Antique S&W No. 3 REVOLVER c1874

Model John Wesley Hardin Gunned Down Deputy Webb

Here we present an antique Smith & Wesson .44 Russian Model No. 3, (1st Model) Single Action Revolver, made circa 1874 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Smith & Wesson produced large numbers of the Model 3, in three distinct models, for the Russian Empire by special order. The first was the 1st Model Russian (as is this one), with the Russian Ordnance Inspector mandating a number of improvements to the design, resulting in the 2nd Model Russian, with a final revision to the Russian design being known as the 3rd Model Russian. In 1877, S&W discontinued production of its Model 3 Russian, along with its other Model 3s (The American and The Schofield) in favor a new improved design called the “New Model” Number Three. Smith & Wesson nearly went bankrupt as a result of their Russian contract production, as the imperial government assigned a number of engineers and gunsmiths to reverse-engineer the Smith & Wesson design, and then began to produce copies of the revolver.

Smith & Wesson revolvers, then as now, are some of the finest in the world. Excellently machined, well-proportioned and accurate. It is no wonder why so many records of the era were set with this revolver. Notable shooters and owners of the original No. 3 include Buffalo Bill Cody, Ira Anson Paine, F.E. Bennett, Annie Oakley, Frank Butler, General George Custer and Theodore Roosevelt. John Wesley Hardin, the Old West outlaw, gunned down Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb in Comanche, Texas May 26, 1874.

The overall condition is very good. Much of the original blue finish remains, turning matte with time. There is significant holster wear around the muzzle and the factory front sight was also a casualty of use, a 19th Century silver coin doing nicely in its place (so neat!). The markings are clear. The numbers match. The grips show appropriate wear and are in very good condition. The bore is in great shape, clean and reflective with sharp rifling. The action is excellent. The automatic ejector does not currently function as it was disabled at some point in time. This is a fantastic example of a favored revolver in the Old West and one that compared very favorably against the Colt Single Action Army!
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 8 inches.

Caliber: .44 S&W Russian

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$3875

#190641
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes