Is my Smith & Wesson a Model 3?

[ahokiefan]

Hello Everyone.

This is my first post so please forgive me if I do not follow proper etiquette.
As an avid gun collector, I have come into possession of what looks to be a S&W Model 3. Hope you can help to verify and inform?

The gun is a double-action, nickel plated, top breakdown Smith and Wesson revolver. The patent dates behind the front site say-"Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A. Pat'd Jan 17 & 24 65, July 11 65, Aug 24, 69 July 25 71 Dec. 2 to May 11 & 25 1880". The grips look to be walnut. The serial number is 507xx and is located on the butt of the frame and also on the cylinder.

I will try to attach a picture albeit a poor one. I have insured all of my guns and they are safely secured but I would like to know what this revolver really is.

Thanks for your help.

 

[CoRoMo]

What's it chambered in? If it is double action, I'm not so sure it is a No. 3.

edit:
Nevermind, it does look like you have the model 3!

 

[ahokiefan]

It looks to be .44 although I have no way to verify. My .45 will barely not fit the chamber. From what I have read about Model 3's, there were 5 'families' of them.

1. The American
2. The Russian
3. The Schofield
4. The S&W New Model 3
5. The S&W 44 DA (the double action trigger hangs in middle of trigger guard rather than at the rear.

 

[Jim Watson]

I know it only as a First Model Double Action.
The convention seems to be that the numerical designation applies to the single action revolvers. The DA is the same size as a New Model No 3 and the barrels will actually interchange, but I don't call a Double Action a Model 3. Maybe some do.

Came into possession, huh?
Seems hardly anybody buys or trades for a gun on the internet, they come into possession, acquire, procure, come by; and probably some other euphemisms.

 

[ahokiefan]

Sorry if I maybe misled anyone. As a collector in my own right, my father in law was a bigger collector. He was murdered in 1994 but his collection was not released until his wife (my mom in law) died in January of this year. My wife gave me her inherited guns to keep, research and insure. I would like to know it's value for insurance purposes as I insured in for $2,500.00. I apologize if the implication was other than intended and I agree, I do not buy or sell guns on the internet. I only buy for my own collection which will be passed on to my children.

 

[CoRoMo]

Settle down hoss; ole Jim's just bustin' your chops. He's harmless , but he knows what he's talking about. The double action threw me for a loop, but you can bet that what he's posting is right.

 

[deadin]

With that serial number it should have a 1 9/16ths length cylinder and would be chambered in .44 S&W Russian.
AKA .44 Double Action First Model or New Model Navy No.3 Revolver. (The "Navy" desigination isn't used much. It's thought that S&W originally used this name in an attempt to interest the Navy in them. It didn't work.)
These revolvers are also found in 44/40, but your serial number is out of that range.
A few are know in other chamberings, but are very rare. So if yours is other than a .44 cal. you might want to do some deeper research.

Dean

 

[MachIVshooter]

but I don't call a Double Action a Model 3. Maybe some do.

I've seen a great many references to 3rd model DA concerning these guns. Doesn't make it right, I suppose, but commonly used.

 

[Jim Watson]

I love to mess with people on weird internet terminology.
I have been told the difference between magazine and clip WAY too many times and there are many more interesting misnomers in circulation. I cannot count the number of times I have heard and read of the "open" sights on a Garand or AR, for example.

 

[ahokiefan]

Thanks to everyone for your help. If you find out anything else about this gun, I'd appreciate the info. I'll keep researching also.

 

[Jim K]

S&W (and Colt) terminology in that period is confusing, to say the least, and any attempt to figure out why the .44 Double Action First Model was also called the New Model Navy No. 3 would likely lead to insanity. One suspects marketers and advertisers, then as now given to hype not controlled by any common sense or logic.

Most collectors prefer to use the term Model No. 3 for the series of single action large caliber top breaks, and to call that gun the .44 Double Action First Model, even though there was no second model since the next .44 was the .44 Hand Ejector First Model (the Triple Lock).

Jim

 

[ahokiefan]

I stand corrected on the serial number after I found my glasses. It is 307xx instead of 507xx. The barrel is 5 inches long. If I measured correctly, the cylinder length is 1 & 7/16 inches long although I am no expert. Attached is a couple of more photos.

 

[Old Fuff]

The most recognized designation for your revolver is: .44 Double Action, 1st Model (New Model Navy No. 3.) Yours was the first of several variants, which included the:

.44 Double Action, Wesson Favorite.
.44 Double Action Frontier
.38 Winchester Double Action (.38-40 WCF)

Which explains where the "First Model" business comes from.

Earlier production had a short 1 7/16" cylinder and was chambered in .44 Russian. Later production had a longer cylinder (1 9/16") and frame and was offered in .44 Russian, .44-40 WCF and .38-40 WCF. Some 53, 900 were made between 1881 to 1913.

If you want more specific information and are willing to pay a $50.00 research fee and wait several months - Smith & Wesson will have their in-house historian go back, find the original shipping record, and write you a formal letter telling what they found:

Information concerning historical letters of authentication from Smith & Wesson’s historian, Roy G. Jinks can be obtained from the link listed below.

In exchange for a $50.00 research fee (make any check out to Smith & Wesson, not Mr. Jinks) he will search through the company’s original records until he finds your particular revolver. He will then send you an official letter which usually includes:

A short history of the revolver model’s background.

What the barrel length, caliber/cartridge, finish and stocks were, as well as the exact date it was shipped from the factory – and to what distributor, dealer or individual – as whatever the case may be.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=10001&content=25301&sectionId=10504