Got my Old Old Russian lettered

[Win 38-55]

Received my letter from Roy Jinks, S&W archives, a few days ago. According to the info in the letter, my old sixgun, officially a 2nd Model American, Commercial Russian version, but also known as a S&W First Model Russian, and also known as an Old, Old Russian, was shipped on November 29th, 1873 in an order of 140 units. Also, according to the info Mr. Jinks supplied, the total production of the First Model Russian was only 5,165. The condition of the bore and chambers of this old west black powder sixgun is pristine, yet the wear on the barrel and leading cylinder edges indicates that it has seen holster time. Because there is no corrosion at all in the bore or chambers, I think it likely that it spent its working life in a very arid climate .... probably southwestern USA (that is also were it surfaced). I was recently reading some research by firearms historian Charles Pate and learned that the S&W 1st and 2nd Model American (which included this one in 44 Russian as well as the 44 American) was the most popular sixgun in the US in the 1870's, outnumbering even the Colt 1873 SAA. It was used by both the Cavalry and civilians. The total number sold in the USA up to the end of 1876 was 23,300 in 44 American caliber; 4,000 in 44 rimfire caliber; and 5,165 in 44 Russian caliber, for a total of around 33,000. Included in these numbers are official US cavalry purchases. In addition, Pate's research shows that many members of the US cavalry purchased this model with their own money to augment or replace the military issue Colts. The top break design permits all six chambers to be emptied simultaneously. Unfired rounds will not eject, but can still be dumped. The live rounds can be inserted two at a time (the way I tend to do it), the gun snapped shut with a flick, and you're in business. Very useful if the Comanches are charging.

 

[Scarecrow]

Really nice gun. Going to shoot it?

 

[Win 38-55]

Really nice gun. Going to shoot it?

I already have ... around 40 rounds through it. I've got another 100 loaded up and ready to go.

 

[berger]

That is a beautiful piece! I am not really into handguns, but the attraction I have to historical rifles could easily be transferred to a piece like that!

I know it is black powder, but do you reload? Where you get ammo?

 

[Win 38-55]

Berger, I do reload. Starline, in the USA makes brass. I have my own mould that drops a 256 grain, .432 cast bullet. I have a couple smokeless loads that have a burning curve similar, or slightly less than black powder. I've also purchased a can of FFFg to try some BP loads.

 

[dingus]

Hi Kirk did the letter say it was shipped to Robinson in New york there bigest dealer??

I just wonder cause it seems 95% of jinks letters all say the same thing.
All mine were shipped to Robinson of New york and almost all the letters ive seen say that.

 

[Win 38-55]

Yes it did, Dingus. M.W. Robinson was S&W's largest distributor according to Charles Pate. From there, they were shipped to retailers across the USA.

 

[DEZ]

I do like the shape of the old model almost better than the New model very nice looking piece of history.

 

[500grhollowpoint]

That's pretty cool...

 

[Win 38-55]

I do like the shape of the old model almost better than the New model very nice looking piece of history.

I particularly love that very authoritative 8" barrel.

 

[david doyle]

Thanks again for sharing Kirk, Your posts are slowly weakening my prejudice against American manufactured arms!

I think your right that the tactical advantage of the top break/2 at a time loading could not have been overlooked by the men facing natives armed with repeating rifles and sharp pokey things! That 8 inch barrel would be a rather formidable weapon in and of it's self.

 

[badbrass]

Another master piece! You know how to pick them!:

 

[dingus]

Yes it did, Dingus. M.W. Robinson was S&W's largest distributor according to Charles Pate. From there, they were shipped to retailers across the USA.

That musta been quite the Dealer back in the 1880s eh!
To bad they couldnt find the Retailers the guns went to.

Thats a beauty ya got there!

 

[bdft]

Pardon my ignorance but where did the term "Russian" come from. Was this gun sold to Russia in large quantities? Beautiful pistol BTW.

 

[Win 38-55]

Russian purchased a very large number of S&W Model 3's (not counted in the numbers I gave in my initial post) but they wanted to change the 44 American cartridge to a better design. The 44 American was an outside lubed, heeled bullet, similar to what is used in the 22 rimfire. Russia wanted an inside lubed bullet, which is standard today. The result became known as the 44 Russian. Later, the 44 Russian was lengthened slightly and became the 44 S&W. Still later, it was lengthened further and became the 44 Mag. All three cartridges use the same bullet and have the same dimensions except for length. The 44 Russian became a very popular cartridge in the USA in the late 1800's, next to the 45 Colt. It also won awards for exceptional accuracy. Louis L'Amour often has his old west characters using a 44 Russian sixgun.

 

[Sasquatch807]

Nice piece of history.

I couln`t help noticing that the town of Rawdon, Qc. was listed on the page of your book. I have spent many a weekend of my childhood there, picnicking and camping with my family. Were those some of your ancestors?

 

[Win 38-55]

Nice piece of history.
I couln`t help noticing that the town of Rawdon, Qc. was listed on the page of your book. I have spent many a weekend of my childhood there, picnicking and camping with my family. Were those some of your ancestors?

Yes. I've only been there once, just to go to the cemetery to write down all the names and dates of the ancestors that are buried there. They left Rawdon in the early 1900's and headed west. I was there in the fall, when the leaves were brilliant. Pretty town.

 

[bdft]

Thanks for the lesson. I now feel marginally less stupid.

 

[rem338win]

What a beautiful piece! My envy is currently dribbling all over the keyboard. I am curious as to what load you are going to use for your BP stuff. Also what lead mix are you using for your bullets?

 

[Win 38-55]

I am curious as to what load you are going to use for your BP stuff. Also what lead mix are you using for your bullets?

I am using a very non-traditional Elmer Keith .44 cal mould that is for the 44 Mag, the 44 S&W, and the 44 Russian. Weight is 256 grains. All have the same groove diameter. A local fellow casts them for me. He said he used pure lead except for a very small amount of something else (antimony maybe?) to aid in the casting. As for the BP load I'm going to use, the original load was 23 grains. With modern brass, one cannot stuff 23 grains into the case. However, I want to chronograph 5 loads of 23 grains, which means I will not be able to seat the bullets to the proper depth. Once I got a chrono reading for 23 grains, I'll probably reduce the load to permit proper bullet seating depth. For now, I'm using a smokeless load using 5744 that gives me 770 fps.