RCMP (NWPM) S&W Mod 3 at Syracuse show
- Thread starter john@
- Start date
I very much doubt that's a mountie gun - as far as I know the NWMP carried Adams and then Enfield revolvers, never S&W. Also, from the look of that it's either an American or a 1st Model Russian, so it'd be in .44 American or .44 Russian, not .44-40.
Actually, due to the poor condition of the obsolete Mark I Adams revolvers foisted off on the NWMP (apparently by a sub-contractor to the War Department) the Force was short of serviceable handguns at the outset, and later in 1874 acquired 30 S&W "Old Model Russian" .44 revolvers. I gather these were the 2nd Model, not the 1st Model - which I understand are sometimes called the "Old, Old Model Russian to distinguish them from the 2nd Model ("Old Model Russian") and 3rd Model ("New Model Russian".) At any rate, they would have been chambered for .44 Russian .... Indeed, did S&W even make the Russian Models in any other chambering?
Buffalo Creek Law Dog
Regular
Personally I can't see why they would put the division letter on a firearm when at that point in history, a division was about troop strength.
Yes, there was an "E" Divsion in the NWMP as early as 1874 (IIRC, there were at least six Divisions to begin with ....)
I would, however, agree with Buffalo Creek Law Dog .... I have never heard of any NWMP firearms being marked at the Divisional level.....
I would, however, agree with Buffalo Creek Law Dog .... I have never heard of any NWMP firearms being marked at the Divisional level.....
Well if i were a NWMP Officer back in the Day i woulda lived on corn beef and hash for 6 months to buy a S&W like that for myself Over a Enfield or Adams 
The S&W was fast loading and i have seen enough Adams and Enfield revolvers to say the S&W woulda been a Better gun in service.
the 44 Russian i think a more accurate cartridge than any 450 that has a bullet jump of over 1/2 inch to reach the forceing cone.
So i could see some of the NWMP officers buying there own hand guns just like the British officers did in the boer war Ect.
The S&W was fast loading and i have seen enough Adams and Enfield revolvers to say the S&W woulda been a Better gun in service.
the 44 Russian i think a more accurate cartridge than any 450 that has a bullet jump of over 1/2 inch to reach the forceing cone.
So i could see some of the NWMP officers buying there own hand guns just like the British officers did in the boer war Ect.
It's probably worth every penny already. Those Old, old Russian models with the 8" barrels are getting to be pretty hard to find in decent condition. I took mine out yesterday and practiced a quick draw and firing into a stump at 20 feet. All five bullets spelled 'Boot Hill' for the stump and 3 of them were in a nice little 3" group dead centre. (no aiming, just draw and fire as the six gun is sweeping up). The 8" barrel is so long, it acts as its own sight as soon as it enters ones peripheral vision.
The book "Arms and Accoutrements of the NWMP" (I may have the title wrong) gives the following info about the S&W's
-in late 1874 the force accuired 30 Smith and Wesson "Old Model Russian" revolvers in 44 Russian calibre.
-Sub-Inspector Edwin Allen, Regimental number 50, (resigned at Fort Walsh in 1878) had one numbered 21479. This was from an order from the M.W. Robinson Company of New York, via Fort Benton, Montana.
-Commissioner French refered to them as "improved" probably meaning that they were an improvement on the Smith & wesson "American Model" of 1869. In his annual report for 1975 he noted that they were "very liable to get out of order and the severe cold is apt to snap the extractor spring"
...so, if you find one with a s/n within 30 digits of 21479...you might have one of the NWMP guns...maybe.
-in late 1874 the force accuired 30 Smith and Wesson "Old Model Russian" revolvers in 44 Russian calibre.
-Sub-Inspector Edwin Allen, Regimental number 50, (resigned at Fort Walsh in 1878) had one numbered 21479. This was from an order from the M.W. Robinson Company of New York, via Fort Benton, Montana.
-Commissioner French refered to them as "improved" probably meaning that they were an improvement on the Smith & wesson "American Model" of 1869. In his annual report for 1975 he noted that they were "very liable to get out of order and the severe cold is apt to snap the extractor spring"
...so, if you find one with a s/n within 30 digits of 21479...you might have one of the NWMP guns...maybe.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
While the possibility exists that the story is true, the RCMP did made a habit of using similar markings on unregistered or serial obscured guns.
In Alberta there are a large variety of handguns numbered "K12345" or some variation thereof.
One such which I have seen had it's original "factory" serial number stamped over and ground out.
An arguement in favor of my suggestion would be that I do not think that the manpower of the NWMP ever reached a level which would have resulted in a rack number of "4411" during this guns period of potential usage.
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I called and talked to the seller it isnot a NWMP gun it has a number put on it by the RCMP the seller does not know why it has a number put on it maybe it was a stolen gun that some how ended up in the USA I'm just guessing as to why the RCMP put a # on it.
