I love the old top breaks!

[AndyUSMC1107]

I’ve been enamoured with 110 year old + top break revolvers for some time now. I have +/- 8 now. The latest is a Fred Biffar (Iver Johnson) 3 1/4.”

The other is a Fred Biffar (IJ). Serial #s 1887 apart.

I plan on stripping the nickel, bead blasting the frame, bbl. and cylinder then Nitre bluing all pieces (trigger/guard, hammer and screws/pins).

On the bead blasted surfaces, bluing will take on a frosted blue-grey. All other parts will come out flame blue.

Interesting aside RE: Fred Biffar contracted revolvers is that the 32/38 S&W handguns are roll-marked SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL and on the IJ contract were equipped w/a hammer block push to engage safety as patented by Prospero Donaldo May 22,1917.

The short barreled piece is marked PAT. PEND. The display boxed piece is marked with the patent date. Both are in 38 S&W. and over 110 years old. I’ll publish a pic after the re-finishing process.

 

[mcb]

Love top break revolver too!

I would love to see someone make a Webley replica with modern steels.

 

[Duster340]

Me too

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Who doesn't love a good top break?

Great pics, everyone

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Most top breaks are under powered, but fun to shoot.

 

[whughett]

A Schofield (Uberti) 45 C. H&R Sportsman and H&R in I believe 32 Short or perhaps Long. Not sure unmarked.

 

[AndyUSMC1107]

Most top breaks are under powered, but fun to shoot.
View attachment 1011327

GunnyUSMC, Webley’s are “Butt-British-ugly...but sooo cool! I’d love to have one of these “paint stir sticks!”

 

[gobsauce]

I've always wanted one. They were like $200 last time I saw them at a local gunshow, but I haven't seen them since. Just didn't have the money.

 

[AndyUSMC1107]

Love top break revolver too!

I would love to see someone make a Webley replica with modern steels.

So ugly to be so cool!

 

[AndyUSMC1107]

View attachment 1011337
A Schofield (Uberti) 45 C. H&R Sportsman and H&R in I believe 32 Short or perhaps Long. Not sure unmarked.

Waiting to buy a Schofield, tho hope for a Russian Model...just like the way they look.

 

[AndyUSMC1107]

View attachment 1011337
A Schofield (Uberti) 45 C. H&R Sportsman and H&R in I believe 32 Short or perhaps Long. Not sure unmarked.

...nice hammer jeweling on the H&R...

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Waiting to buy a Schofield, tho hope for a Russian Model...just like the way they look.

Howdy

If you have the choice, I strongly suggest you get a Schofield instead of a Russian Model.

The sharp hump on the grip of the Russian model, in S&W lingo it is called a Knuckle, was a feature the Russians wanted. It was put there so the grip would not rotate in the hand when fired. It does a very good job of this, the grip does not rotate in the hand when fired. However, all S&W #3 Top Breaks have a long reach to the hammer spur. When firing one handed, I have to regrip and place the palm of my hand on the pointy knuckle in able to reach the hammer spur with my thumb. Then I have to regrip again to get my hand under the knuckle. If I forget, and pull the trigger with my palm in contact with the knuckle, recoil drives the point into the palm of my hand and it hurts. Even with a mild recoiling round such as 44 Russian.






The grip shape of the Schofield model is much more forgiving. You don't have to hold onto these revolvers with a death grip. If held lightly, when the revolver recoils the grip will rotate in the hand, bringing the hammer spur closer to the thumb, allowing easy access to the hammer spur. Then the revolver can be easily regripped for the next shotg.






However, if you get the chance, buy a New Model Number Three. The best of all the old S&W #3 Top Breaks. The grip on these is the most conducive to shooting, it is very similar to the grip of a modern K frame S&W revolver.

 

[AndyUSMC1107]

Howdy

If you have the choice, I strongly suggest you get a Schofield instead of a Russian Model.

The sharp hump on the grip of the Russian model, in S&W lingo it is called a Knuckle, was a feature the Russians wanted. It was put there so the grip would not rotate in the hand when fired. It does a very good job of this, the grip does not rotate in the hand when fired. However, all S&W #3 Top Breaks have a long reach to the hammer spur. When firing one handed, I have to regrip and place the palm of my hand on the pointy knuckle in able to reach the hammer spur with my thumb. Then I have to regrip again to get my hand under the knuckle. If I forget, and pull the trigger with my palm in contact with the knuckle, recoil drives the point into the palm of my hand and it hurts. Even with a mild recoiling round such as 44 Russian.

View attachment 1011531




The grip shape of the Schofield model is much more forgiving. You don't have to hold onto these revolvers with a death grip. If held lightly, when the revolver recoils the grip will rotate in the hand, bringing the hammer spur closer to the thumb, allowing easy access to the hammer spur. Then the revolver can be easily regripped for the next shotg.

View attachment 1011532




However, if you get the chance, buy a New Model Number Three. The best of all the old S&W #3 Top Breaks. The grip on these is the most conducive to shooting, it is very similar to the grip of a modern K frame S&W revolver.

View attachment 1011533

Driftwood Johnson, THANX FOR THE “learning curve” advise! I’ve never had the chance to hold a Russian Contract Schofield revolver. I’ll look/handle one B4 buying. Sage advice!

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

There is no such thing as a Russian Contract Schofield revolver.

There were five separate models built on the large #3 frame.

The American Model, The Russian Model, the Schofield Model, the New Model Number Three, and the 44 Double Action.

I provided photos of three of the five in my earlier post.

Here are the other two.

This is actually a 1st Model Russian, but it looks exactly like the American Model. The only difference was the American Model fired the 44 S&W cartridge, which used a heeled bullet, and the 1st Model Russian fired the 44 Russian cartridge, with a conventional bullet that sits inside the case.






This is a 44 Double Action. The only double action revolver S&W made on the large, #3 frame. This one is a target model with target sights, it is chambered for the 44 Russian cartridge.






Roy Jinks, the official S&W Historian, once said that after the Clint Eastwood movie The Unforgiven came out in 1992, featuring the Schofield Kid as one of the characters, he got a lot of questions about 'Schofield' revolvers owned by people. Most of them were not Schofields at all, there were only about 9,000 Schofields made, whereas there were over 150,000 Russian models made. I always say, all Schofields are #3s, but not all #3s are Schofields.