Original Item: Only One available. This is an unusual and rare old Wild West Revolver to find. This is a very nice blued example of a 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 wooden grips. 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 7" 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 1869:

While designed for the Russians, after they reverse engineered the design, Smith & Wesson turned to the commercial market and other Governments to sell the revolver to. The serial number 33105 is stamped on the flat on the bottom of the grip, along with SH in a Diamond. This indicates that this revolver was purchased and subsequently marked by Schuyler Hartley & Graham for retail. This marking is somewhat rare. The inside of the right grip scale is also marked 33105, while he back of the cylinder, the latch, and the barrel extension are marked with assembly number 441.

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 some slop in the mechanics, and some of the cylinder stops are worn, so it can be finicky at times. The revolver breaks open correctly with a functional case ejector, and can be broken down correctly. The bore on the barrel has clear rifling, with some areas of oxidation. The grips are in great shape, with a lovely worn look. There are no chips or cracks, and fit the revolver nicely.

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: c. 1870
Caliber: .44 Russian
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 7 inches
Overall Length: 12 1/2 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to posses, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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