Old gun ID?

[Somerset Bar]

My friend found this in the river here in town. Police weren't interested in it because it is non funtional and likely too far gone. They are curious what handgun it might be? Any ideas?

 

[cyclops666]

Evidence in a 60 year old murder?

 

[Claven2]

That's either a Smith and Wesson No.3 top-break revolver, or a Schofield, which is basically the same gun with minor differences.

 

[Blastattack]

Electro-clean that sucker. See what is underneath years of crud.

 

[points]

I would lean towards the S&W. It came in several models and that one looks close. A bit of rust remover, WD40 and fir away

 

[englishman_ca]

Don't clean it or it will loose its value.

 

[Blastattack]

Don't clean it or it will loose its value.

You're kidding, right? Lose it's value as rusted chunk o' river dwelling junk? Right now its a curiosity with no positive identification. Use electrolysis to see what it actually is and you have a much nicer and more presentable artifact that goes beyond rusted chunk o' river dwelling junk.

 

[Nabs]

Evidence in a 60 year old murder?

My thoughts as well. They may be live rounds still in the cylinder so be very careful.

 

[tiriaq]

Electrolytic cleaning would be the way to go. Might be a lot less gun, though, when done.
A rule in the photo would give an idea of scale.
Did the Smiths have a coil mainspring?

 

[Picatinny]

My thoughts as well. They may be live rounds still in the cylinder so be very careful.

Brilliant point!
Be safe - take your time during the resto process.
Cool find.

 

[Magellann]

Don't clean it or it will loose its value.

I think its a little too late for that!

 

[Labman]

Throw it into a bowl full of Diet Pepsi for 24 hours or so. I'm serious...that stuff eats the rust right off of things!

 

[silverfoxdj]

That's either a Smith and Wesson No.3 top-break revolver, or a Schofield, which is basically the same gun with minor differences.

That's my bet ...guess the police haven't watched CSI on how to find the serial numbers

 

[green]

That's either a Smith and Wesson No.3 top-break revolver, or a Schofield, which is basically the same gun with minor differences.

With a coil mainspring and by the shape of the grip I would say Iver Johnson. What is the diameter of the cylinder?

 

[antiqueguy]

With a coil mainspring and by the shape of the grip I would say Iver Johnson. What is the diameter of the cylinder?

as soon as I seen it I thought of a Iver Johnson. I could only imagine what sort of guns could be pulled out of the Detroit river this was a rum running town after all of curse digging around too much you mite find things you don't want to find

 

[blasted_saber]

Cool.

 

[Somerset Bar]

Yeah that matches better, the colt has a longer profile around the hammer. I'll see if they can get a diameter of the cylinder.

 

[myenfield]

Don't forget all the lovely Belgian copies of Smith's, etc. I doubt you will ever be able to make out any proof marks, however. Still, it is definitely an interesting find.

 

[sunray]

"...See what is underneath..." More rust.
"...the river here in town..." The Thames here is an open sewer. Full of farm chemicals. That revolver may be a modern Schofield pitched by somebody who didn't want the register it or a criminal's or copper's throw gun.

 

[Somerset Bar]

Yeah I don't fish too many things out of the thames myself.... lol