Australian ,44 Russian Serial # issued to ? Info

[Username:]

Hi,
I Have spent along time trying to find out who my gun was issued to . I finally broke down and got a copy of Max Slee's Book and the only info i got was my gun SN. 12403 was shipped in case# 1955 . and then was sold back to the US.
does anyone have any records of which Officer received which gun? i would love to track down any info on mine.

unfortunately , the scabbard is stamped 99 , so wasn't made for this gun, and the stock itself i recently got as NOS with box.
as others have mentioned, it would be great to have a way to reunite the matching numbered items. but i would be happy with just knowing who carried this gun and what its / there history is.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Welcome to the Forum!

I don't know if the information you are looking for still exists but
if it does, it is likely buried in the archives somewhere in Australia.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[Username:]

had a feeling it might not be this easy lol . but had that little spark of hope someone might have tried to do the same . will see what i can do about finding out who might have an idea of where the records potentially maybe ...IF...they still exist somewhere .
thank you ,

will be back to forums many times soon , finally have the time to research some of the collection .

ttys

 

[Retired W4]

Welcome to the Forum from Hot 'Lanta. Nice broad arrow marked 44, and I do like the fancy username.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Welcome. I have one as well. By the way, you realize your revolver was refinished after it left Smith & Wesson.

 

[Username:]

i know little about it , i do wish it was Blued . always look better in the blue. but for how rare they are, i cant be picky . i have been a live in caregiver for the last 6 yrs and bought it about 2 yrs ago. since i bought it i haven't had much time to spend doing research , but unfortunately, she's at the end of life stage of her Chemo Treatments , and I will be fully retiring after ,so will have time on my hands to research a few pieces that i have been lucky enough to acquire.
along with the that one , i scored a NM#3 target in rare 320 rifle cartridge , has a letter saying its a custom factory one off ,
a NM#3 in 32-44 target,
other NM#3 target that was factory restored and in mint condition ,
NM#3 target 38-44
and a basic .44 Russian shooter quality .
the only one i have any info on is the .320 . the 2 main books ....standard catalogue and Smith and Wesson 1857-1945 were just delivered in the last couple days. so that's a start. will be sending in the request letters to S&W soon, still gathering up the photos and info to send in with them. looking forward to getting things finally started.
Next on the wish list is a 320 Revolving Rifle , 20inch .

 

[iby]

You have a nice selection
I don't recall any Australian Police in blue??

 

[Username:]

the standard catalogue says the first 310 were in nickel and blue are rare and there would be a premium. so im assuming they are referring to ones without the Broad Arrow mark . i just got the book today and don't know a whole lot about my gun yet. but ya , it looks like i cant have a Blue with Broad Arrow. unfortunate , but its the stamp that matters ,

 

[Username:]

my most recent buy. sadly, in well used shape .

Manufactured in 1888, this is an unique, likely one-of-a-kind example of an early production, special ordered, Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target revolver. Being the Target variation of the New Model No. 3 alone makes this revolver quite rare, with only 4,333 of the Target model being produced between 1887 and 1910. However, this specific revolver is also a two-digit serial number, has a special ordered sight, was shipped to a named individual, and is chambered in an extremely scarce caliber. The included factory letter with this revolver lists it as a New Model No. 3 Target with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, special ordered in the .320 S&W rifle cartridge, a "special" front sight, adjustable target rear sight, nickel finish, and black hard rubber grips when shipped as a single unit to John E. Martin of New Haven, Connecticut. None of the defining Smith & Wesson literature, such as that by Jinks, Parsons, or Roper makes mention of the .320 S&W Rifle cartridge as a chambering for the New Model No. 3 Target, and the writer is not aware of any other examples in existence. "The Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson" by Supica and Nahas briefly mentions the caliber as an available chambering in the model, but does not elaborate any further. It is likely that the individual who ordered this revolver did so to pair with a Smith & Wesson Model 320 revolving rifle they already owned. Though unconfirmed, period articles from New Haven and Hartford provide a couple possibilities for the identity of John E. Martin. One of these is as a police officer "John Martin" noted as shooting a "man-eating" dog with a revolver. The other potential candidate is listed as John E. Martin, an actor performing at Proctor's Opera House in Hartford.

 

[mmaher94087]

As you will find as you read more on these guns, they had matching numbered shoulder stocks that were also broad arrow marked. The stock holsters and revolver holsters were made in Australia. These guns were used by the Colonial Police and reimported back to the states when they were deemed obsolete. All matching revolvers and matching stocks are rare. The Aussie armorers were only concerned about getting the revolvers back in action and did not attempt to keep the serialized parts together. The revolvers were kept in one place and the shoulder stocks in another. Again, no regards to the serial numbers. Most rigs were nickel and I've never seen a blue revolver that was positively identified as an Australian but that doesn't rule them out as I haven't seen them all.

 

[Username:]

As you will find as you read more on these guns, they had matching numbered shoulder stocks that were also broad arrow marked. The stock holsters and revolver holsters were made in Australia. These guns were used by the Colonial Police and reimported back to the states when they were deemed obsolete. All matching revolvers and matching stocks are rare. The Aussie armorers were only concerned about getting the revolvers back in action and did not attempt to keep the serialized parts together. The revolvers were kept in one place and the shoulder stocks in another. Again, no regards to the serial numbers. Most rigs were nickel and I've never seen a blue revolver that was positively identified as an Australian but that doesn't rule them out as I haven't seen them all.

thank you, i recently got a copy of Max Slee book about the service arm south Australian Police . i have read some old forum posts that some of the long time members made and mentioned they had one time started to make a list of which serial numbers existed still , etc. but the person with the information Passed way and was lost. not sure if anyone else tried again. once i get a moment to finish off the Firearms History Request for it and my others, hopefully it will help .

 

[Username:]

Welcome. I have one as well. By the way, you realize your revolver was refinished after it left Smith & Wesson.

just curious, but how can you tell that it was refinished ? by the broad arrow mark ?

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Hammer and trigger are plated. They were case colored at Smith & Wesson

 

[iby]

none look that good