Out of Curiosity, Can one change a Schofield to a S& W American?

[WaddWatsonEllis]

First,I love my Schofields jut the way they are ... would never want to change them!
 ...but last night I got this curious idea in my head ... if a cowboy (Regardless of century) owned a large frame , say .45 cal. S & W, and wanted to change it to a Schofield, could it be done by the cowboy or would it take a gunsmith?

I know we have all kinds of gunmiths .... armchair or only work on their own, commercial and retired ones .....

So what do you think?

[Abominable Bill]

With a lot of work you could make one look like one; but not actually be one
Would require a lot of welding and machining

[Forty Rod]

When I was a youngster I knew a fairly famous gunsmith in Salt Lake City.  He was a friend of one of my uncles who was a metallurgist of some note.

This gunsmith answered a similar question for one of his customers: "Anything is possible if you're willing to pay for it.  I collect on delivery for most of my work, but some is going to have to be cash on the barrel head before I even pick up a tool."

How bad do you want it?

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[Flint]

Uberti could make a facsimile of the American using the Schofield shaped grips on a Russian frame, as the Russian has the same latch as the American.  Modifying a Schofield frame to accept the Russian barrel's latch would be a major bit of welding and machining, also requiring a hammer change.  The 1st Model Russian also had the American style cylinder release, rather than the later thumbwheel on top of the barrel strap.

The home gunsmith could more easily fashion a Schofield gripframe shape onto a Russian and approximate the American, and the 44 Russian is closer to the American round than is the Schofield 45.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Thanks all,

I kinda thought that if it was easy someone would be offering a kit or some special ... thanks for all the reasons ....

TTFN,

[Forty Rod]

I've been waiting for a good copy of the First Model (aka Old Old Model) Russian for years.  I'll take a pair in nickel with 8" barrels as soon as they are available...price permitting, of course.

[Flint]

Yes, I agree, Forty Rod, the 1st Model Russian is basically an American in a different caliber, easy enough for Uberti to make.

I think the grip shape iof the American and Schofield would be easier to shoot than the later Russians., which are a bit long and front heavy for the almost Mauser Broomhandle style grip.

[Forty Rod]

Right.  I'd rather have the Russian for the ammo.  I don't want to get involved in trying to find heeled bullets, etc.

I even have a picture of one as a screen saver.  Love that old gun.

[Tascosa Joe]

I have been looking at an original that has been renickeled and has really nice old ivory grips.  I just cant bring myself to part with the 2K.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Tascosa Joe,

Especially since far less than 2K will get a Couple of Repros .... *S*

TTFN,

[Forty Rod]

Except that no one make repros of the American / 1st Russian.....dammit.

[Forty Rod]

Except that no one makes a repro of the American ? 1st Russian.....dammit.

[John William McCandles]

I found this old thread and was wondering if it would be easier to approximate a S&W American by using the Uberti S&W Russian and removing the hump and either removing the trigger guard spur or replacing it with a Schofield trigger guard.
By what I have read and observed the American and Russian revolvers shared the same barrel latch and such.

Thanks
JW

[Blair]

John,

There is a great deal more to it than just the barrel latch.

The newer "New Model #3's" are based off of the repro #3, Model 3's. (and these are not quite correct when compared to the originals)
The latch and grip shape has been changes and the extractor rod housing on the bottom of the barrel has shortened on the "New" guns, but nothing else.
I will say that the "New" guns are somewhat close... but just not right.
I hope this helps.
My best,
Blair

[John William McCandles]

John,

There is a great deal more to it than just the barrel latch.

The newer "New Model #3's" are based off of the repro #3, Model 3's. (and these are not quite correct when compared to the originals)
The latch and grip shape has been changes and the extractor rod housing on the bottom of the barrel has shortened on the "New" guns, but nothing else.
I will say that the "New" guns are somewhat close... but just not right.
I hope this helps.
My best,
Blair

Thanks for the information. I realized that doing these mods to a Uberti Russian won't make it an exact copy.
Heck even if Uberti were to make an American or 1st model Russian I doubt it would be an exact duplicate of an original.
I guess the hump could be taken off and not effect the strength of the gripe frame?

JW

[Blair]

John,

My suggestion is to get a copy of the Neal and Jenks book on S&W revolvers, 1857 to 1945.

Comparing these very different S&W Models is kind of like comparing a Model T Ford pickup with a newer model F-150 Ford pickup.
They are both Fords and they are both pickups... but very different in style shape and design.

Of course, one can pretend an object is something that it never was in fact just by saying so. A lot of that goes on within the gun world to day.
My best,
Blair