Howdy
The Beretta Laramie is a replica of the Smith and Wesson New Model Number Three. The New Model Number Three was the last of the large frame Top Break revolvers that S&W produced. It was cataloged from 1878 until 1908. As the SCSW says, the New Model Number Three was the pinnacle of large frame S&W Top Break design. It is a much larger gun than the H&R Top Break pictured in post #7.
All the large frame S&W Top Breaks were built on the #3 size frame. There were five distinct models built on the #3 sized frame; the American Model, the Russian Model, the Schofield Model, the New Model Number Three, and the Double Action 44.
The standard caliber for the New Model #3 was 44 Russian, but it was also available in many other calibers. Serial Number 32661 was shipped to Col. Theodore Roosevelt, and it is rumored that Bob Ford used a New Model Three to assassinate Jesse James. Virgil Earp and Buffalo Bill are each known to have owned one.
This New Model Number Three shipped in 1882. It is chambered for the standard caliber, 44 Russian. It looks so good because it was factory refinished in 1965.
This photo shows the New Model Number Three at the top, a Schofield in the middle, and a Russian Model at the bottom. Notice how much more exaggerated the hump (S&W called it a 'knuckle') is on the grip of the Russian Model. I can tell you that if you don't get that knuckle up above your hand, recoil can make it hurt like the dickens. The grip shape of the New Model #3 is much more forgiving. The New Model #3 usually lacked the spur on the trigger guard of the Russian Model, but I have seen examples that did have the trigger guard spur, usually made for the Japanese market.
Along with the reshaped grip, the New Model Number Three had a rebounding hammer. This photo shows the hammer in the rebounded position. Notice how fragile the parts are. I would not trust the New Model Number Three with a live round under the hammer.
The Beretta Laramie is a very faithful copy of the New Model Number Three, but as far as I know, the Laramie comes with an adjustable target rear sight. Target sights were optional on the New Model Number Three, and it was prized by target shooters of the late 19th Century. Records were set with the New Model Number Three that still stand today.
Taylors is marketing a version of the same revolver chambered for 45 Colt that they call the New Model Number Three Frontier, which is interesting because the real New Model Number Three Frontier was specifically chambered for 44-40. The New Model Number Three 38 Winchester (38-40) was the rarest of all the variations of the New Model Number Three, only 74 were manufactured. The original New Model Number Three was never factory chambered for 45 Colt.
When Uberti (and their parent company Beretta) released their versions of the New Model Number Three and Schofield, the cylinders had been lengthened slightly to accommodate the 44-40 and 45 Colt rounds. Unlike the originals, the frame was not stretched a similar amount. In order to fit the longer cylinder into the frame, the cylinder bushing was shortened. The result of this is these revolvers do not tend to shoot well with Black Powder, they tend to bind up relatively quickly as BP fouling coats the cylinder arbor.
Although I only shoot Black Powder in my antique Top Breaks, I would not hesitate to shoot standard SAAMI spec 45 Colt or 44-40 loads in the Laramie if I owned one. All Italian firearms are proof tested in government run proof houses to European standards, which are actually a little bit tougher than American standards. However I would avoid 300 grain bullets.
