New Toy : Smith And Wesson New Model 3 Frontier

[Matt74]

Well,
I have been wanting a 44 Russian for a while now. I may have forfeited my children’s education, but I could not resist. Like my old lever guns, I’m a condition guy through and through. While I appreciate some guys like the rarity component, I like to to see what they looked like back then, when it landed in its first owners hands. I imagine the pride when he brought it home. I knew I’d look long and hard to find a better one, so I bit the bullet, so to say...









Apparently, when they made the New Model 3 Frontier in 44-40, it wasn’t a big seller. So, they retooled and converted 786 of the 2072 total into 44 Russian. This conversion was simply a replacement / maybe re-worked cylinder, and good to go. Most of these went to “Takata & Company“ in Japan. Given the condition of this one, I’m guessing it did not, but will not know until I get my factory letter. Hard to imagine the 44-40 being a poor seller and the company making this decision, but I guess it helped them fill their Japanese contracts and move their inventory. Given there were only 786 units in 44 Russian, and the overall condition, it makes for a pretty rare piece. Super happy to be the new caretaker and can’t wait to try it out. I hope I can still afford my children’s education.
Matt

 

[jpc]

wow!

 

[trebor2880]

wow! X 2

 

[powderman]

That's a very nice NM 3.

Regards,
Powderman

 

[Matt74]

Thanks. Yes. Indeed been wanting a nice example to go with my No 2. I had picked up a really fine No 2 last Spring, and had planned on getting a period case made for it. But, then I got to wanting a Russian to go with it - big brother and little brother - and decided to hold off and maybe get a double case made for the pair. Here are a couple pics again of the No 2, little brother:




Powderman: I still haven’t sent the details of the No2 to that fellow doing the study / database on them, but will. Is there anyone out there studying No 3s?
Matt

 

[Matt74]

Looking to do some shooting, but not set up for reloading. Anyone comment on the Fiocchi 44 Russian or that 44 Russian ammo Rusty Woods sells?
Matt

 

[Matt74]

oops, double post....

 

[bobdbldr]

I used the black hills .44 Russian in my DA models. I have one basically in exactly the ame condition as yours except it is the target model. I bought it on GB years ago, it came from a retired teachers collection. He had a good few Japanese order units too. Beautifuland accurate for their time!

 

[Matt74]

I used the black hills .44 Russian in my DA models. I have one basically in exactly the ame condition as yours except it is the target model. I bought it on GB years ago, it came from a retired teachers collection. He had a good few Japanese order units too. Beautifuland accurate for their time!

Thanks Bob. Haven’t seen any of the Black Hills stuff around. Will keep an eye out. That Target Model sounds really nice! Yes, I’ve heard good things about the accuracy of the Russians.

 

[schofieldkid]

Holy crap!! That's in great condition. Is it marked on the butt as a factory refurb? If so the date of refurb should be stamped under the grip on the grip-frame.
I "won" 3 #3 revolvers last week on Rock Island Auction. Patiently waiting for a Wells Fargo Schofield, a 38/44 Target and a DA 44 Russian. Brass and dies are in the mail right now!!

 

[Matt74]

Holy crap!! That's in great condition. Is it marked on the butt as a factory refurb? If so the date of refurb should be stamped under the grip on the grip-frame.
I "won" 3 #3 revolvers last week on Rock Island Auction. Patiently waiting for a Wells Fargo Schofield, a 38/44 Target and a DA 44 Russian. Brass and dies are in the mail right now!!

Hi,
No, it’s not a factory refurbished gun, all original. Hard to believe. Inside of barrel is as new. I have been lucky to find both of them, a fellow (if looking for condition) would be very hard pressed to find a better example. I am still waiting on the factory letter for the Frontier Model. Their letters are VERY slow to come these days.
I like the way you wrote “won” in brackets, been there.
Like to have a real nice blued 38-44 myself. Hard to find all these models in high condition, blued frames, Nickel lasted longer.
Best
Matt

 

[Old Ford47]

That is a DANDY!
Wow it is like finding a newish unsold piece.
You are very fortunate!

 

[scianna54]

That is a DANDY!
Wow it is like finding a newish unsold piece.
You are very fortunate!

It comes at a price, lol.


.

 

[bobdbldr]

I took a couple quick pics. Target model from a collection in Florida, a teacher, he put them on Gun Broker, must have been over a hundred all together. He passed not long after, probably he knew and was why he sold the collection.

Sorry about the link, still can't figure out how to get Imgur to show pics.

https://imgur.com/a/FXXcFOA

 

[apu]

Thanks. Yes. Indeed been wanting a nice example to go with my No 2. I had picked up a really fine No 2 last Spring, and had planned on getting a period case made for it. But, then I got to wanting a Russian to go with it - big brother and little brother - and decided to hold off and maybe get a double case made for the pair. Here are a couple pics again of the No 2, little brother:
View attachment 431824
View attachment 431825
View attachment 431826

Powderman: I still haven’t sent the details of the No2 to that fellow doing the study / database on them, but will. Is there anyone out there studying No 3s?
Matt

Matt that is a beautiful example of a model 3, congratulations.

Sorry for the hijack, but this is my model 3, a Schofield second model that I got several years ago. I ended up getting a nice case and neat Roy Jinks letter from Smith and Wesson. Apparently this example was sent to the US Army Springfield armory on April 11 in 1877. I love the history behind these guns.

 

[bobdbldr]

Gotta love these old smiths they really were a cut above!

 

[Matt74]

It comes at a price, lol.


.

Truer word never spoken. Yes, it was NOT cheap, lol. Still fortunate to have the opportunity to own it though.

 

[Matt74]

I took a couple quick pics. Target model from a collection in Florida, a teacher, he put them on Gun Broker, must have been over a hundred all together. He passed not long after, probably he knew and was why he sold the collection.

Sorry about the link, still can't figure out how to get Imgur to show pics.

https://imgur.com/a/FXXcFOA

Very nice! My Frontier has the target front sight, be interested to see if it is mentioned in the letter. I actually prefer the standard sight on this model, but that’s the way it came. Still hadn’t had a chance to shoot it or the No 2. Just plain hard to find time to do anything these days, but look forward to it.

 

[Matt74]

APU,
Beautiful Schofield! That would be on my list as well. Or an earlier No 3 Russian, but something with the gorgeous Rosewood grips. Amazing after that many years, that a gun can look that good. Same with my No2. I find it hard to believe it was made in 1865 and still looks that great. The pics above make the cylinder look worn, but even that is just the lighting, it has a fine drag mark, but that’s about it, guess it just didn’t see much use. It actually came out of a very old estate in N.B. Don’t know any history other than that.
Matt
Matt