S&W breaktop/44 cal/double action

[65bsaA65]

Gentlemen:
  At a recent gun show I ran across an item of interest; i.e., a breaktop .44 S&W dbl. action revolver at a decent price.  It had a number of obvious flaws---it had been nickle-plated over some pitting, the action-lockup was good but not perfect, and the bore was---decent.  All of these are reasons for the price; this isn't a pristine example.  But mechanically it's in better shape than both my model 4 38 S&W's, and I shoot them regularly.  I didn't have a magnifying glass with me and my eyes couldn't really read the
cal. (I hope cause of the replate job) nor a set of calipers to measure cyl. length, so I don't know if it's .44 S&W or .44/40.  I suspect the former as even with the flaws I think in 44/40 the price would have been considerably higher.  The seller had a tag on the revolver identifying it as a model 3.  I didn't have enough money with me at the time so couldn't buy it, but left my number with seller to get in touch with me if he didn't sell it.  That's not as unlikely as it sounds; most of the people at that particular gun show were interested in the black rifles and AK variants. 
  Anyway, Flay derman's says all the double action framed .44s were produced before 1898, making them all antiques.  Anybody got the facts on this?  I'd really appreciate all feedback I can get on this as I will probably buy this revolver if I get another shot at it.

[Will Ketchum]

I would guess it's a 44 Double Action, First Model.  It most likely is in 44 Russian. Since that is the most common caliber They did make it in 44-40 and called it the Double Action Frontier.  There were even some in 38-40 but they are pretty rare.  He might have called it a model 3 because that is the frame size.

Hope that helps some.

Will Kertchum

[65bsaA65]

Thanks, Will.  I haven't heard back from the guy yet, but it's still within the time limit we agreed on.  I sincerely NEED that revolver.

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[Dr. Bob]

I recently purchased one from the Gun Library here in KC.  They still have 2 more, both blue and in 44 Winchester caliber. [44-40]  Mine is in 44 Russian and nickel plated [60%] but locks up tight.  Have to get some brass & dies and load something to shoot!  Books pointed out that the 2nd model 38 DA looks the same and I just got one of those to go with it!   Not quite as much nickel remaining thought.

[Montana Slim]

I have one similar to Dr. Bob's. They are well made and fairly robust. I've occasionally used mine in local SASS matches, shooting "DA" as the gun was intended. Even shot a clean match or two with it this year


Enjoy,
Slim

[Dedreckoning]

According to everything I've ever read, all the first model DA frames were made prior to 1899.  So, even guns assembled well into the 20th century are classified as antiques. Ref the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 2nd Ed by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas.  I belief this is also mentioned in other authoritative texts.  That, and a close reading of ATF regs should ease your mind. BTW. Some references actually refer to this gun as a #3 first model double action because the frame is a modified #3 frame. 

I have one in 44 Russian that locks up real tight and still has decent rifling.  I determined right off the bat, even before having it worked over for function, that S&W learned how to do that great trigger a long time ago.  That being said, they should all be considered BP guns which is fine. The 44 Russian isn't a 45 Colt, but it still starts with a 4, so it's a real caliber to be reckoned with.  God, I do love the blast of flame, the smoke, and the smell of gunpowder in the morning.     

[Dr. Bob]

DR,

Yep, it's a real hoot!!  I still have to get used to the trigger pull in DA, but it makes plenty of smoke, fire & boom!!

[Montana Slim]

I've backed off the mainspring strain screw pretty far.....had a light strike last Sunday. Promptly gave the screw a turn. No more issues. Shucks the only thing holding me back from a clean match was a slip of the finger with the lever-action.

Forgot to mention, I only shoot "true" gunpowder in my 1881 DA.......but thats most all I shoot anyway 

Regards,
Slim