And Winchester, large frame models are as often seen in .44 1873 as .44 Russian.
Not really. There were far, far more S&W Top Breaks chambered for 44 Russian than 44-40 (aka 44 1873 or 44 WCF). I don't have all the numbers handy, but there were over 150,000 Russian models made, most were chambered for 44 Russian, only a few were chambered for 44 Henry Rimfire. None were ever chambered for 44-40, the cylinders were too short to accommodate a cartridge that long. Both the New Model Number Three and the 44 Double Action were chambered for 44-40, but again not very many. I just grabbed my copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson. The New Model Number Three was chambered for 17 different cartridges. I won't go into all of them here, but the great majority of the 47,000 or so produced were chambered for 44 Russian. Of those, 2072 were chambered for 44-40 and only 74 were chambered for 38-40. With the 44 Double Action, again, most of the 53,590 were chambered for 44 Russian. 15,340 were chambered for 44-40, and only 276 were chambered for 38-40.
he 32-44 S&W is a special cartridge made for the Model 3 target pistols, basically a model 3 with the 44 russian frame, but bored out to a special 32 caliber target cartridge. The same with the 38-44 S&W.
Sorry, but I get real picky about identifying the different large frame Top Break revolvers that S&W made on the #3 sized frame. There five separate models that were built on the #3 sized frame.
This is a Smith and Wesson Russian Model, specifically a 2nd Model. Easily recognized by the pronounced hump on the rear of the grip and the spur on the trigger guard. The great majority were chambered for 44 Russian. This model was never chambered for the 32-44 nor the 38-44 cartridges.
This is a Smith and Wesson New Model Number Three Target Model. Notice how much different the frame is than the Russian model. The hump on the rear of the grip frame is much smaller, there is no spur no the trigger guard, and the extractor housing under the barrel is much shorter than on the Russian Model. This one is a target model because of the drift adjustable rear sight and the target style front sight with a bead on top. This one happens to be chambered for the 38-44 cartridge, but this model was also chambered for the 32-44 cartridge. Note: the 38-44 target cartridge is not to be confused with the later 38-44 high velocity 38 Special cartridge from the 1930s.
Here is a page from a reprint of a 1900 S&W catalog describing the 32-44 and 38-44 cartridges.
P.S. I had a chance to buy that NM#3 Target Model a few years ago. Still kicking myself that I passed it up. However, I did get a chance to fire it. 38S&W (not 38 Special) cartridges chambered and fired in it just fine.