The following information comes from Smith & Wesson Hand Guns by Roy C. McHenry and Walter F. Roper. Smith & Wesson Hand Guns is also available to purchase in print.
MODEL No. 3—First Model
.44 Caliber Single Action American. Ammunition, .44 S&W American, center fire cartridges. Patented July 10, 1860; January 17, 1865; February 17, 1865; July 11, 1865; August 24, 1869. There are no available records of dates or number manufactured.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Frame—Square butt, irregular shape side plate inserted from left side held in position with hammer stud nut and two plate screws. Bottom strap slotted to receive trigger and stop. Guard inserted in round end slot held in with two screws, forward screw through strap at cylinder cut holding stop spring, rear screw through lip of guard to frame holding flat leaf trigger spring. Extractor gear catch cut located in bottom strap rear of barrel joint 1 1/2″ diameter circle for stock shoulders. Finished in blue or nickel.
Barrel—Round body ribbed top, jointed to frame at bottom strap forward of guard latching to frame at bolster interlocking frame post with jointed barrel catch. Lug raised from body extending forward of joint incasing extractor spring and round rack. Base pin screwed into body forming straight round bearing for cylinder. Strap slotted forward of post cut to receive barrel catch flat V-spring and cylinder hook. Cylinder hook: held in position with screw let in from top strap. Joint slotted to receive extractor gear engaging round rack screwed to extractor stem. Front sight inserted and pinned in slot. Patent dates stamped on top rib. Made in 8″ length. Finished in blue or nickel.
Cylinder—Six chambers, grooved, inserted gas ring. Straight diameter chamber for S&W American cartridge. Counter-bored to receive flanged head extractor with ratchet. Center hole for extractor stem made square.
Hammer—Straight side, checked thumb piece, solid round pointed nose, slotted to receive plain main spring stirrup. Hand pivoted to left side, hand spring slot cut in front face to receive flat spring. Lug raised from front face right side to operate cylinder stop. Full and half cock notches provided. Slot cut across face above nose engaging lug on barrel catch releasing catch only when hammer is at half or full cock. Case hardened finish.
Trigger—Pivoted on pin driven through frame with lip engaging hammer notches. Finger piece extending through slot into guard. Made of carbon steel, tempered.
Guard—Solid bow screwed to frame. Case hardened finish.
Stop—Bell crank type engaging cylinder through bottom strap spring arm extending at right angle to body engaging lug on hammer face.
Stock—Square butt, plain walnut.
MODEL No. 3 .44 SINGLE ACTION—Turkish Model
Ammunition .44 Caliber Turkish Rim fire cartridge. Patented July 10, 1860; January 17, 1865; February 17, 1865; July 11, 1865; August 24, 1869. 5,461 manufactured, no available dates. December, 1879.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as American Model with the following exceptions:
Frame—Hammer nose hole made rectangular in shape, located to use rim fire cartridge.
Hammer—Nose shape made rectangular for rim fire cartridge. Barrel catch locking slot omitted.
Barrel—Made in 6 1/2″ length.
MODEL No. 3 .44 CALIBER SINGLE ACTION AMERICAN—Second Model
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as First Model with the following changes:
Hammer—The cut across face above hammer nose for barrel catch lock omitted.
Barrel Catch—Locking lug extending from body engaging hammer removed.
MODEL No. 3 .44 CALIBER SINGLE ACTION RUSSIAN—First Model
Ammunition, .44 S&W Russian cartridge. Patented July 10, 1860; January 17, 1865; February 17, 1865; July 11, 1865; August 24, 1869. From No. 1 to No. 215,704 manufactured from 1870-1875.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Frame—Round butt, irregular shape, side plate inserted from left side held in position with hammer stud and two plate screws. Bottom strap slotted to receive trigger and stop. Guard inserted in round end slot held in with one screw and tenon, forward screw through strap at cylinder cut holding flat stop spring. Extractor gear catch cut located in bottom strap rear of barrel joint. Shape of frame extended at stock circle rear tang forming saw handle grip. Stock circle 1 1/32″ diameter with round shoulders. Finished in blue or nickel.
Barrel—Round, tapered body, ribbed top jointed to frame at bottom strap forward of guard latching to frame at bolster interlocking frame post with jointed barrel catch. Joint counter-bore margin raised flanges flush with frame joint. Held in position with joint pivot with check screw, interlocking head. Pivot screw let in from right side. Lug raised from body extending forward of joint incasing extractor spring and round rack, slotted for extractor rod catch action as latch holding extractor spring plunger, when released disengaging cylinder from barrel. Base pin screwed into body forming straight round bearing for cylinder. Strap slotted forward of post cut to receive barrel catch, cam and coil spring with steel shim separators ·from cylinder hook T slot. Cylinder hook held in position with large knurled head screw let in from top strap. Joint slotted to receive extractor gear with jointed spring catch engaging round rack screwed to extractor stem. Solid front sight. Made in 6 1/2″ length. Finished in blue or nickel. Stamped on top rib Russia title and number.
Cylinder—Six chambers for S&W Russian cartridge, grooved, inserted gas ring, counter-bored for flanged head extractor with ratchet. Center hole for extractor stem made square.
Hammer—Straight sides, flanged checked thumb piece. Solid round nose. Slotted to receive plain main spring stirrup. Hand pivoted to left side hand spring slot cut in front face to receive flat spring. Full and half cock notches provided. Slot cut across .face above nose engaging lug on barrel catch, releasing only when hammer is at half or full cock. Case hardened finish.
Trigger—Pivoted on pin driven through frame with lip engaging hammer notches. Held in normal position by flat leaf spring pinned to inside frame tang. Notch cut across face engaging cylinder stop. Straight side finger piece extending through slot into guard. Made of carbon steel, tempered.
Guard—Solid bow shape with finger piece extension. Case hardened finish.
Stop—Lever type engaging cylinder through bottom strap lip engaging trigger.
Stock—Round butt, plain walnut.
MODEL No. 3 .44 CALIBER SINGLE ACTION—New Model
Ammunition, .44 caliber S&W Russian .44 caliber S&W Russian gallery, .450 Webley cartridges. Patented January 17, 1865; January 24, 1865; July 11, 1865; August 24, 1869; April 20, 1875; February 20, 1877; December 18, 1877. Reissued July 25, 1871. No. 1 to No. 38,796 manufactured from 1879 to 1908.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Frame—Round butt, irregular shape side plate inserted from left side held in position with hammer stud nut and two· plate screws. Bottom strap slotted to receive trigger and stop. Guard inserted in round end slot held in with one screw and tenon, forward screw through strap at cylinder cut holding flat stop spring. Stock circle 7/8″ diameter with square shoulders. Finished in blue or nickel.
Barrel—Round tapered body, ribbed top jointed to frame at bottom strap forward of guard latching to frame at bolster interlocking frame post with jointed barrel catch. Joint counter-bore to match level edge ears of frame joint. Held in position with joint pivot and screw pivot held from turning by dutchman made solid with head. Joint slotted to receive extractor gear with jointed spring catch, engaging round rack screwed to extractor. Lug raised from body extending forward of joint encasing extractor spring and short round rack (afterwards shortened for extractor cam hook type and extractor post). Base pin screwed into body forming straight round bearing for cylinder. Strap slotted forward of post cut to receive barrel catch cam and coil spring. Enclosed with shims let in dovetail slot flush with cylinder cut. Front sight inserted and pinned in. Made in 4″, 5″, 6″, 6 1/2″, 7 1/2″ and 8″ lengths. Patent dates stamped on top rib. Finished in blue or nickel. Barrels made long and short strap for 1 7/16″ and 1 9/16″ cylinders.
Cylinder—Six chambers, grooved, inserted gas ring screwed to free position on base pin held against lateral motion by lug on barrel catch. Counter-bored to receive flanged head extractor with ratchet. Center hole made hexagon shape for extractor stem with bushing inserted and staked in place.
Hammer—Straight sides flanged checked thumb piece, solid round nose. Slotted to receive rebounding main spring stirrup. Hand pivoted to left side hand spring slot cut in front face to receive flat spring. Full and half cock notches provided also rebound notch designed to catch and hold hammer against accidental discharge. Slot cut across face above nose engaging lug on barrel catch. Case hardened finish.
Trigger—Pivot on pin driven through frame with lip engaging hammer notches. Held in normal position by flat leaf spring pinned to inside tang. Notch cut across face engaging cylinder stop. Straight side finger piece extending through slot into guard.
Guard—Solid bow shape. Case hardened.
Stop—Lever type engaging cylinder through bottom strap, lip engaging trigger.
Extractor Catch—First modeled as gear with spring jointed catch, engaging round rack. Second change, hook type with spring jointed catch engaging extractor post. Third change, hook type with sliding cam catch engaging extractor post.
Stock—Round butt, checked rubber and walnut.
MODEL No. 3, .44 CALIBER SINGLE ACTION-“Frontier”
Ammunition, .44 Caliber Winchester rifle cartridge, Model of 1873. From No. 1 to No. 2,072 manufactured from 1885 to 1908.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as .44 caliber Single Action New Model. The use of this ammunition created the need of the longer cylinder, 1 9/16″, also the long strap barrel.
Barrel—Made in 4″, 5″ and 6 1/2″ lengths only. Furnished with target sights if desired. Finished in blue or nickel. Black rubber or wood stocks.
Note: The majority of these revolvers were taken from stock and changed to use the .44 S&W Russian cartridge.
MODEL No. 3, .44 CALIBER SINGLE ACTION
Ammunition, 38 Caliber Winchester Rifle cartridge. 75 manufactured.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as .44 Caliber Single Action, New Model. Long strap 6 1/2″ barrel only.
MODEL No. 3, .32/44 SINGLE ACTION
Ammunition, .32/44 S&W Gallery and .32/44 S&W Target Cartridges. Manufactured from 1887 to 1910. 2,621 made with short strap barrel, cylinder 1 7/16″ long. 299 made with long strap barrel, cylinder 1 9/16″ long.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as .44 Caliber Single Action, New Model.
Barrel—6 1/2″ length only. Target sights. Rubber and checked wood stocks.
MODEL No. 3, .38/44 SINGLE ACTION
Ammunition, .38/44 S&W Gallery and .38/44 S&W Target Cartridges. Manufactured from 1887 to 1910. 1,023 made with short strap barrel, cylinder 1 7/16″ long. 390 made with long strap barrel, cylinder 1 9/16″ long.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as .44 Caliber Single Action, New Model.
Barrel—6 1/2″ length only. Target sights. Rubber and checked wood stocks.
MODEL .320 CALIBER REPEATING RIFLE
Ammunition, .320 caliber S&W Rifle cartridge conical ball 11 grains powder. Patented January 17, 1865; January 24, 1865; July 11, 1865; August 24, 1869; April 20, 1875; February 20, 1877; December 18, 1877. Reissue July 25, 1871. From No. 1 to No. 977 manufactured September, 1880 to 1887.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as .44 Caliber Single Action, New Model, with the following exceptions:
Frame—Butt slotted and rear tang drilled to provide means for fastening extension stock. Finished in blue.
Barrel—Made in two sections, screwed together jointed about 2″ forward of breach. Large circular shape boss with bead edge raised from body at joint as buttment for forearm piece also incasing short type round rack and jointed spring catch gear for extracting. Made in 16″, 18″ and 20″ lengths. Made short strap only. Finished in blue.
Cylinder—Six straight bore chambers for .320″ S&W Rifle cartridge. Length 1 7/16″.
Hammer—Made with fly pivoted on hammer stud to protect half cock notch from breakage. Adjusting screw located forward of full cock notch.
Extension Stock—Made of circassian walnut with black rubber butt plate. Steel tang let in and screwed to fore end of stock located and fastened to revolver grip by butt lug and anchor bolt. Drilled to receive rear sight post.
Forearm Piece—Made of mottled rubber doweled and screwed to barrel forward of joint.
Sight—Open, Globe and peep sights furnished.
Stock—Mottled rubber.
MODEL .44 CALIBER DOUBLE ACTION—First Model
Ammunition, .44 Caliber S&W Russian cartridge. Patented January 17, 1865; January 24, 1865; July 11, 1865; August 24, 1869; July 25, 1871; December 2, 1879; May 11, 1880; May 25, 1880. No. 1 to No. 54,668 manufactured from May 1881 to 1913. 275 of this number were made for the .38 caliber Winchester Rifle cartridge. 1 9/16″ length cylinder with 6 1/2″ long strap barrel only.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Frame—Round butt, irregular shape side plate inserted from left side held in position by hammer stud nut. Bottom strap slotted to receive trigger, stop, rear sear, and V-shape trigger spring. Round end slots with tenon cuts to hold bow shape spring guard. Stock circle 3/4″ diameter with square shoulders. Finished in blue or nickel.
Barrel—Round body, ribbed top, jointed to frame at bottom strap forward of guard latching to frame at bolster interlocking post with jointed barrel catch. Base pin screwed into body of barrel forming cylinder bearing. Strap slotted forward of post cut to receive barrel catch, cam and coil spring inserted shim separator flush with cylinder cut. Joint slotted to receive extractor cam with sliding cam catch. Front sight inserted and pinned in slot. Patent dates stamped on top rib. Made in 4″, 5″, 6″ and 6 1/2″ lengths, long and short straps for 1 7/16″ cylinders. Finished in blue or nickel.
Cylinder—Six chambers, grooved, inserted gas ring, screwed to free position on base pin held against lateral motion by lug on barrel catch. Counter-bored to receive flanged head extractor with ratchet. Center hole made hexagon shape for extractor stem. Double series of stop notches with free grooves extending around cylinder to accommodate action of double stop.
Hammer—Flanged, checked thumb piece, solid round pointed hammer nose. Slotted to receive plain main spring stirrup. Notches cut for double action throw full and half cock positions. Case hardened finish.
Trigger—Flanged finger piece pivoted on pin driven through frame held in normal position by V-shaped trigger spring. Front sear jointed to trigger held in position with hand pivot, center distance sufficient to give required double action throw to hammer. Flat spring inserted in hand acting as combination hand and front sear spring. Lug engaging rear sear releasing hammer from full and half cock positions. Stop pivoted in trigger below front sear joint held in latched position by coil spring and plunger inserted in trigger body. Lug raised from body forward of pivot hole holding cylinder when hammer is drawn into half cock position. Case hardened finish.
Rear Sear—Pivoted on pin driven through frame engaging hammer full and half cock notches, held in latched position by flat leaf spring pinned to inside of frame tang.
Extractor Cam—Located in barrel joint automatically extracting cartridges upon opening arm. Provided with sliding catch engaging frame at joint shoulders at instance of extracting shells.
Stock—Circle or checked rubber.
MODEL .44 CALIBER DOUBLE ACTION—Frontier
Ammunition, .44 caliber Winchester Rifle Cartridge. Bullet 200 grains. Powder 40 grains. No. 1 to No. 15,340 manufactured from August, 1886 to 1910.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as .44 Caliber Double Action, First Model. Made only on long strap frame and barrels with 1 9/16″ cylinders.
MODEL .44 CALIBER DOUBLE ACTION—Wesson Favorite
The feature of this model was its comparative lightness. Ammunition, .44 caliber S&W Russian cartridge. These were manufactured and numbered under the same series as the first model.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as .44 Caliber Double Action First Model with the following exceptions.
Frame—Grooves cut in sides of bottom strap. Lock work free cut extra deep. Inside tang cut enlarged. Hole drilled through tang at butt. Side plate free cuts extra deep.
Barrel—Body diameter reduced in size. Top strap grooved. Bevel cut on top strap extended to sear.
Cylinder—Diameter reduced from stop free cuts forward Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass., and patent dates stamped on outside surface over charge holes.
MODEL HAND EJECTOR—New Century
Ammunition, .44 Caliber S&W Special cartridge. .450 Caliber “Eley” .45 Caliber Colt. .455 Caliber Mark II. Patented March 27, 1894; May 21, 1895; August 4, 1896; December 22, 1896; October 8, 1901. About 20,000 manufactured from September, 1907 as follows: .44 Caliber S&W Special 13,753. .450 Caliber “Eley” 1,226. .45 Caliber “Colt” 21. .455 Caliber Mark II English Service 5,000.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Frame—Square butt, irregular shape side plate inserted from right side held in position with four plate screws. Side swing yoke jointed to frame forward of guard held in by pivoted plate screw at stud swinging out to left side carrying cylinder on arm. Slot cut through left side wall at lock work for bolt thumb piece. Frame threaded to receive ·barrel at top strap. Solid trigger guard. Frame lug inserted in left side lower strap as hutment for cylinder in extracting shells. Slot cut through wall at bottom cylinder cut for stop. Stock circle 3/4″ diameter with square shoulders. Finished in blue or nickel.
Barrel—Tapered round body, threaded to screw to frame held in position by cross dowel pin through frame. Solid front sight. Lug raised from body underside incasing extractor rod and locking bolt. Patent dates stamped on top. Cartridge stamp on left side. Made in 4″, 5″, 6 1/2″ and 7 1/2″ lengths.
Cylinder—Six chambers, grooved, inserted gas ring, counter-bored to receive flanged head extractor with ratchet designed to allow hand to pass by tooth in carrying up. Extractor held in position with two dowel pins. Center hole made with solid key or dutchman for round extractor stem with spline.
Hammer—Straight sides, checked thumb piece, round pointed nose inserted and ,pinned to place in slot allowing motion sufficient to result in straight thrust to primer guided by and through bolster bushing. Sear jointed to hammer front face held in latched or normal position with coil wire spring, engaging trigger for double action throw. Notch cut at foot for full cock notch. Slotted to receive plain main spring stirrup. Chafing bushings inserted in sides protruding beyond surface as a protection of finish. Foot of hammer shaped to engage· rebound slide. Made of decarbonized steel, case hardened.
Trigger—Pivoted on stud screwed in frame. Straight sides, slotted to receive trigger lever, hand lever and hand lever spring. Hand pivoted to right side engaging hand lever through moon slot in side wall. Lip extending from body forward of stud hole to engage cylinder stop. Chafing bushings inserted in sides. Made of decarbonized steel, case hardened.
Yoke Cam—Inserted in front face of yoke earning in locking bolt holding yoke in alignment with barrel and frame. Made of carbon steel, tempered.
Rebound Slide—Operating upon recovery of trigger between hammer foot and frame incasing coil wire trigger spring. Key or feather raised from bed side operating in slot in frame to prevent slide from raising in action. Made of carbon steel, tempered.
Stop—Made with elongated stud slot with notch cut across face engaging trigger lip in latching held in latched position by plunger and coil spring located in frame.
Locking Bolt—Located in barrel lug protruding from face of barrel at thread shoulder held in latched position by plunger and coil wire spring inserted in front end upon the action of closing yoke engaging yoke cam latching in and locking yoke to barrel, released by the forward action of frame bolt engaging locking bolt through the medium of the center pin. Made of carbon steel, tempered.
Bolt—Operating in frame slot with stud extending through side carrying checked thumb piece pivoted at head end engaging center pin located and extending through extractor and rod unlocking cylinder from bolster. When in forward position rear lug of bolt blocking hammer against cocking with cylinder unlocked also blocking action of bolt when hammer is cocked thereby acting as a double preventive against accidental discharge.
Extractor Rod—Screwed to extractor extending forward of yoke having sufficient action to extract shells from cylinder. Knurled knob screwed into front end as a stop and buttment for hand ejector action.
Center Pin—Extending through center of extractor and extractor rod locking cylinder to frame at bolster engaging locking bolt in barrel. Detachable collar with D washer held in groove as spring shoulder and stop.
Stock—Checked walnut with monogram insert at stock circle.
MODEL .44 CALIBER HAND EJECTOR—Second Model
Ammunition, .44 Caliber S&W Special, .44 Caliber S&W Russian. Patented December 17, 1901; February 6, 1906; September 14, 1908. Manufactured from about No. 15,525 to date. 727 of this number were made for the .45 Caliber Colt cartridge with 6 1/2″ barrel.
DETAIL OF DESIGN
Designed as .455 Caliber Mark II with the following exceptions:
Barrel—Rifled .44 Caliber S&W Special cartridge. Stamped Smith & Wesson on left side. Stamped .44 S&W Special CTG. on right side. Made in 4″, 5″, 6″ lengths.
Cylinder—Chambered for .44 S&W Special cartridge. Heat treated with No. 16,600.
Hammer—Shape at foot forward of rebound seat made to engage notch in trigger for increased double action throw.
Stock—Checked walnut with rounded shape at stock circle.
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