What The Heck Did I just Buy? S&W Model 3???

[rbertalotto]

My local gun shop called me this afternoon and said they had something I might be interested in. I took a drive and came home with this.


From what I can tell it is a S&W Model 2 in 38 S&W Long? Ser # 3324. Frame and cylinder marked and match.


There is no "US" marking or and other markings other than the S&W logo on the right side. No patent dates etc.


It isn't a Schofield as it has a barrel mounted latch rather than a frame mounted latch.


The bore is near brand new. Not a mark. Looks like it was never fired! The cylinder bores are perfect. Not a mark.


It was stored on one side as there is pitting on that side and the opposite sides grip is faded dramatically. There is no pitting on the side with the faded grip.


It has adjustable sights. (Target model???)


The cylinder measures 1.435" long and the chambers are .386 diameter.....38 S&W Long?


Any help identifying what I bought would be greatly appreciated.


http://images60.fotki.com/v370/photos/2/36012/13396324/DSC_6310-vi.jpg


http://images51.fotki.com/v282/photos/2/36012/13396324/DSC_6313-vi.jpg


http://images51.fotki.com/v282/photos/2/36012/13396324/DSC_6306-vi.jpg


More images here:
http://public.fotki.com/Rbertalotto/things-that-go-bang/sw-model-3/

[Outpost75]

It is chambered for .38 S&W. There is no "Long", the .38 Long Colt has a smaller .379" base diameter, like the. 38 Special, but is a shorter case. Keep the loads mild in the top breaks. 2 grains
of Bullseye with 146-150 grain bullet, not shorter than 1.07" OAL. HBWC bullets seated out in .38 S&W brass and crimped in the lube groove, not flush seated, will work fine.

[dtknowles]

I think you might have a New Model Number 3 in .38-44 Target. Not to be confused with with 38-44 Heavy Duty. The following is from Wikipedia

New Model Number 3

In 1877, S&W discontinued production of its other Model 3's such as the American, Russian, and Schofield—in favor a new improved design called the New Model Number Three. Standard chambering was .44 Russian, although other calibers were offered on special order or in related models such as the .44-40 Frontier Model, the .32-44 & .38-44 Target Models, and the very rare .38-40 Winchester Model.

Tim

PS the top pistol in my avatar is a New Model Number 3 Frontier in 44-40

[rbertalotto]

Answer from another forum:

You have a S&W New Model Number Three, Target Model, chambered for the 38-44 cartridge. Not to be confused with the 38-44 cartridge that was developed in the 1930s and preceded the 357 Magnum. This cartridge is basically an extra long 38 S&W (not 38 Special!). It is called the 38-44 because it is 38 caliber, and the large frame Top Breaks were most commonly chambered for the 44 Russian cartridge. This was one of the premier target pistols of the late 19th Century, and the 38-44 and 32-44 were the preferred target cartridges of the day. The case of the cartridge extended all the way through the cylinder, there was no chamber throat, so there was no 'jump' as the bullet left the case and traversed a chamber throat before entering the forcing cone. This contributed to the accuracy of the gun. In addition, recoil was very light.

The New Model Number Three was the epitome of Top Break design with S&W. Cataloged from 1878 until 1908, but all frames were manufactured before 1899, so they all are classified as antiques.

The Target Model New Model Number Threes were cataloged from 1887 until 1910 with their own range of serial numbers, from 1 to 4333 with just 4333 produced in the 32-44 and 38-44 chamberings.You have a 1 7/16" cylinder which is typical of the early guns, later guns had 1 9/16" cylinders and slightly longer top straps.

In addition to the Serial Number of record on the butt, there are three other places the SN should appear.

[dubber123]

It looks like a major PITA to deal with, You might be better off just getting rid of it to me, before it causes you any more trouble..

[Dutchman]

Why can't .357 Maximum be used as the donor case?

.................38-44 .357 Max

rim dia.....: .441" .440"
head dia...: .383" .379"
case mouth:.383" .378":
case length: 1.475" 1.605"

.357 Magnum would probably work in a pinch.

A hardened polished expander run all the way down into the case to the head wouldn't be overly unworkable at all. That would take up most of the undersize diameter of the .357 Maximum. If the case walls of the .357 Max were too thick it would easy enough to ream the interior the length of the bullet seating depth.

Loaded with swaged soft lead Hornady hollow base wadcutters it would be real interesting to shoot.

This cartridge isn't listed in either Nonte's book or Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions so I'm just looking at it by the numbers.

Looks like that's the way it's been done before:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/187312-pre-1900-38-44-target-ammo.html

Dutch