Original Item: Only One available. This is an unusual and rare old Wild West Revolver to find. This is a very nice Nickel Plated example Smith & Wesson Russian Third Model No. 3 revolver in .44 Russian, identical to the Russian Contract models, except for the markings. It also features some very nice well-aged bone grips, a Cowboy favorite. The S&W Model No. 3 was introduced in 1869 as the U.S. Army's principal sidearm, which they used until 1873.

This fine example features the standard 6 1/2" barrel and has a cylinder capacity of 6 shots, and functions in single-action only. It also features the distinctive "spur trigger guard", unique to the Russian model. The top of the barrel bears all the S. & W. patent dates up to 1873:

After this it is marked with a definitive marking for identification: REISSUE JULY 25.1871, a marking only seen on one of the 9,000 Russian Models (both Second and Third models) produced. The majority of the "Reissue" Russian production was consumed by foreign martial contracts, particularly to Imperial Japan and Turkey, with a much smaller number entering the commercial market. The Bone grips and Nickel plate on this example suggest it is one of the few that was dispersed in the U.S. commercial market.

The serial number 2144 is stamped on the flat on the bottom of the grip, the back of the cylinder, on the latch, and on the barrel extension, making this a very nice "all-matching" example, just the way we like to find them. It also is stamped with date 1874 in a rectangle on the grip bottom, though there are no additional markings or proofs. This definitely suggests it was not for a military contract.

This is a Top-break revolver making loading extremely easy and frankly a much better system than the side loading Colts and Mervin & Hulbert revolvers. This was the same model revolver that the famous Lawman Wyatt Earp used in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26th 1881.

The revolver functions well, with a good cylinder lockup, and smooth crisp action. There is very little slop in the mechanics, so it does not appear to have been used much. The revolver breaks open correctly with strong ejection, and can be broken down correctly. The bore on the barrel has clear rifling, with a mostly bright finish. The nickel plated finish is worn in places, mostly on the barrel, probably due to a long life in a holster. There is some light pitting on the barrel sides, but nothing major. It still has the original lanyard loop.

The grips are just lovely, being made of bone, and have cracked and aged wonderfully. There is really nothing like the great patina of aged bone.

A very nice used example, completely honest, ready for display!

History of the Smith & Wesson Model No. 3

The Smith & Wesson Model 3 was a single-action, cartridge-firing, top-break revolver produced by Smith & Wesson from circa 1870 to 1915.

It was produced in several variations and sub-variations, including both the "Russian Model", so named because it was supplied to the military of the Russian Empire (41,000 No. 3's were ordered in .44 caliber by the Imperial Russian Army in 1871), and the "Schofield" model, named after Major George W. Schofield, who made his own modifications to the Model 3 to meet his perceptions of the Cavalry's needs. Smith & Wesson incorporated these modifications into an 1875 design they named after the Major, planning to obtain significant military contracts for the new revolver.

The S&W Model 3 was originally chambered for the .44 S&W American and .44 Russian cartridges, and typically did not have the cartridge information stamped on the gun (as is standard practice for most commercial firearms). Model 3 revolvers were later produced in an assortment of calibers, including .44 Henry Rimfire, .44-40, .32-44, .38-44, and .45 Schofield. The design would influence the smaller S&W .38 Single Action that is retroactively referred to as the Model 2.

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: 1874
Caliber: .44 Russian
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 6 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 12 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver