Help identifying this revolver

[adekastos]

Hi guys. I am John from Europe, Albania.
I have no idea about guns. Never use or possess any gun.

However, my neighbor's grandfather had given him a revolver before 20 years.
It has a long barell for a revolver.

After searching I ve found it s a Smith & Wesson 0.44 Russian. Can we find some more specific information about it? Date? origin? is it a copy etc etc. I send you some photos.

The only clues we have on it is a mark (circle) with the letter R below it.

 

[D.M.C.]

Wow, that looks like a S&W Model No. 3 Russian manufactured for the Czar during the late 19th century through turn of the century. I can't really tell much else from the pics, but if I recall correctly the finger spur off the trigger guard makes it a cavalry model, likely with a lanyard attached to the frame screw at the bottom of the grip. They were considered to be very nice revolvers, on a par with the Schofield Model No. 3's but they used the .44 Russian ammunition and were hard to find ammo for in the Old West. It looks like it's been through heck from the condition of the finish, buried in the ground for awhile maybe?

 

[adekastos]

Thanks man.
Yes, probably it was found buried in the ground in an area of a Greek village on the Greek-albanian borders.
I' ve read some articles about S&W models no.3 Russian. They say that Americans designed and constructed that guns for Russians and less units for Turks. But because of high value, the Russians tried to make them by themselves.
Also there were many copies of these guns (but not so precise as the original) that made by Germans/ Belgians/ Spanish/ Austrian.

Is it possible that this one is a copy that was made in Europe?? (belgium/ germany/ austria/ spain ).

The only proof marks that can be read are on the last two photos (a letter R and above it is something like a circle with symbol inside it)

 

[btg3]

looks like it's been through heck from the condition of the finish, buried in the ground for awhile maybe?

Same matte finish as 870 Express.

 

[Cluster Bomb]

looks like a S&W 32S&W revolver, maybe black powered version. Do a search on GB youll see.

 

[SaxonPig]

Looks like a Russian Model S&W in 44 Russian (slightly shorter than the 44 Special which came later and was actually a lengthened version of the Russian). No way to read any markings due to corrosion so I can't tell if genuine S&W or knock off. Shame. Valuable collector gun if it's a S&W and in better shape.

 

[LC '92]

I'm going to go with a Belgian copy of a Russian Model S&W. The proof mark shown on the cylinder looks all too familiar. I think its crown over ELG in an oval. That's a Belgian proof for testing revolver cylinders. Also the hammer spur is way wrong for a S&W. Trigger guard is wrong for a S&W too.

 

[Radagast]

I concur that it is a copy from Belgium. The left side of the frame should have a sideplate with three screws. There is only one screw and no evidence of a sideplate, although the joints may be rusted over.

 

[Radagast]

You may find more info at this site: http://www.littlegun.be/