Got my antique six-shooter lettered

[Win 38-55]

I received my letter from S&W's Roy Jinks, regarding my S&W New Model #3 .44 Russian (shown in photo below). The important part states, "... your handgun, with serial number 88xx, was shipped from our factory on, March 9, 1880 and delivered to M.W. Robinson, New York City, NY., Smith & Wesson's largest distributor. The records indicate that this handgun was shipped with 6 inch barrel, nickel finish, and checkered black hard rubber grips."

Where this gun went from the distributor is anyone's guess, but I was mainly interested in the date so that I would have documentation to prove the pistol's antique status. This matches perfectly my pistol, including the unusual 6" barrel. The hard rubber grips have turned dark brown where they are exposed, but are still black on all interior surfaces. The greatest wear is on either side of the barrel, indicating that it spent quite a bit of time being carried in a holster.

My load is a capacity load of 12.5 grains of 5744 under a 256 grain cast Elmer Keith bullet, for a velocity of 767 fps, an extreme spread of 28 fps, and an S.D. of 11 fps. This gives my about the same punch as a 230 grain 45 ACP and will put 5 shots into a 2" circle at 25 yards (resting on a sandbag) in spite of the fact that I'm a very mediocre shot with a pistol. I expect that practice will improve this and reduce that 2" group at 25 yards.

 

[dingus]

Hey thats great always nice to know the barrel length hasnt been altered.
Have you tryed the new Trail boss Gun powder yet?
Im trying to get some but its like im asking for Chickens teeth or something

I found out My new model RIC 455 can shoot 45 scofeilds without triming the rims at all.
They were made to handle as large a varity of ammo as posible.
I used a .454 dia 250 gr Keith bullet and Starline scofeild case with 4.5 grs of unique. Im gona crank up the load abit tho.
The bullets engage the Rifleing perfect as i recoverd a few.
The same ammo with full pryodex loads are nice and powerfull good kick to em, accuracys gota be worked on but 4 inch groups aint bad to start with as its only got a 4.5 inch barrel.
I would like to get and try this trail boss tho.

 

[3Beavers]

Nice piece!The S&W Model 3 is my all time favorite handgun.
I passed on a Model 3 Target in38-44 not to long ago
Regards,Jed.

 

[Win 38-55]

Dingus, I have not tried Trail Boss. Its ability to fill cases might be a good thing, provided I could get enough in the .44 Russian case to still reach original velocities ... I've not looked into it enough to know.

Being able to use the 45 Schofield in your new model RIC 455 is a real bonus. I'd love to own an original Schofield, but i can't see that ever happening given the price of those things. I'm not familiar with the new model RIC 455 ... is that an antique or a modern reproduction? If it is an antique, I'd personally be a little nervous about using Unique ... it has a much greater pressure spike than original black powder loads for the same velocity. You may already know this, but Blue Dot or 2400 have about the same pressure spike as black powder for the same velocity and powders slower than that have lower pressure spikes for the same velocity, which is why I'm using 5744 in my old six-shooter. Sounds like you're pretty experienced, so you probably know all this anyway, but I thought I'd mention it just in case. If that new model RIC 455 of yours qualifies as an antique and it can shoot the 45 Schofield, then I'd really like to learn a bit more about your pistol, Dingus. Is there an article somewhere on the web you'd recommend?

Jed, as far as my favourite antique pistols go, I'd have to say it's the S&W New Model #3. I especially like the quick way the cylinder comes out. The 45 Schofield would be my favourite caliber.

 

[dingus]

My Revolvers are all Antique Perscribed ones.
This is my WEBLEY RIC with 45 scofeild rds loaded with Keith 250 gr .454 DIA bullets.
This is the New model 455 RIC No 1
These were made to be able to shoot a large array of Ammo 450 455 476 45scofeild tho that one isnt in the books i figgered this out myself. I put about 40 rds thru it with full cases of Pyrodex they were just smokeing down the range.
Click on pics to enlarge


There a solid Frame revolver and mine is a rarer one with a great grip design and was retailed by R B RODDA& CO LONDON AND CALCUTA

Im gona look into your powders as well cause unique is a good powder but presure does spike if ya load it to hot.
Thats why Trail boss is so good from what i have read!

Not alot of info on the Net really when it comes to these old guns Books is your best bet. Tho some guys here might know where theres some info. Not alot of this model Around. lotsa 450 ones for sale in the US but not these longer cylindered 455s

 

[Win 38-55]

Very nice! Thanks for those pics and that info. I'll have to keep my eye open for one of those.

 

[John Sukey]

win 38-55

Now all you need to do is get rid of that stem winder and get a period Key wind watch to go with the revolver.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

Oh dear god the envy, It's like heartburn only worse.

P.S. just because I'm smiling doesn't mean I'm joking.

No really, I know I should be happy for you, it's much more morally correct but I'm really really jealous.

such a lovely lovely lovely revolver.

 

[englishman_ca]

Dingus,

I can get 45 Colt to chamber (almost) in my New Model RIC No.1 but they jam the rotation and get wedged between the cylinder face and the breech plate when thay come up to battery. The colt rims are much thicker than on the Webley brass.

Do the Scofield cases have thin rims?

 

[dingus]

No there the same thickness but my RIC has a large cylinder to frame gap.
The scofeilds work better when i thin the rims as i have a few punctured primers from full pyrodex loads but the 4.5 unique loads dont puncture the primers in the normal 45 scofeild cases.
45 long colt will work in my gun i just gota seat the 45 keith bullets to the outer ring and then they dont stick out the front of the cylinder.
I use a DB 220 Unimate lathe to thin the rims so i can use the scofeild brass in my Web no 4 pryse!

 

[Gibbs505]

Very nice indeed. I fall in line with all the other envious replies.

 

[SIGP2101]

I received my letter from S&W's Roy Jinks, regarding my S&W New Model #3 .44 Russian (shown in photo below). The important part states, "... your handgun, with serial number 88xx, was shipped from our factory on, March 9, 1880 and delivered to M.W. Robinson, New York City, NY., Smith & Wesson's largest distributor. The records indicate that this handgun was shipped with 6 inch barrel, nickel finish, and checkered black hard rubber grips."

Hi Win 38-55,

How anyone goes about obtaining a letter from manufacturer. I have few Colts that I would like to be lettered. Any hints?

Thanks!

 

[rickruddell]

SigP2101

You can get a Colt letter from their historian - they are quite pricy (Cost depends on the model).

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/historical.asp

On the positive side - the letter adds value to the gun - so its a break even if you intend to sell.

Rick

 

[fat tony]

I would like to know anyone's opinion on the .450 Adams round. Reason I'm asking is that I can't find any information on the internet about it, except it's weaker than the .455 Webley MKI?

 

[Meanea]

Cathy

Hi Win 38-55,

How anyone goes about obtaining a letter from manufacturer. I have few Colts that I would like to be lettered. Any hints?

Thanks!

As Rick pointed out, Kathy @ Colt is the way to go. Phone her or email her.
I got the rapid service for a Colt SAA this week. US$150.
Call her and leave the info on the answering machine. See will call you back, have a credit card handy, and see will give you the info over the phone and send a letter in about 8 weeks.
Meanea