Smith & Wesson mod 3 second type
The S&W Model 3, second type or ‘old model’ revolvers were generally made in .44 centrefire, from 1873 to 1878.
In total 85.200 old models were produced.
There are very many variations.
Some of them, probably less than 4000, were made in .44 ('Henry') rimfire or factory transformed into this caliber.
The Turkish army ordered 3000 of these rimfire revolvers, and later 5000 more of the 3th type (‘new model) with the shorter barrel (6-1/2 inch).
This one is from their second contract of 2000 revolvers.
So it has:
- Factory alteration from centrefire into rimfire;
- The 7 inch barrel;
- Long extractor housing;
- Pinned front sight;
- Not the W-mark on the butt.
(see Flayderman 2008, p.234 nr. 5G-115)
Bert
