Make: F.D.C. Belgian

Model: 1st Model 44

Serial Number: NSNV

Year of Manufacture: 1882-1890s

Caliber: .44 Russian

Action Type: Break action revolver.

Markings: This revolver has “Belgium” on the bottom of the grip frame. The top of the barrel is marked “IMPROVED AUTOMATIC”. The Cylinder face has Belgian proofs. The number “9” is stamped throughout.

Barrel Length: 6”

Sights / Optics: This revolver has a half-moon front blade sight with a notch rear sight as part of the locking latch.

Stock Configuration & Condition: This revolver has two-piece hard rubber grip panels. The panels have flowers at the top. These grips have minor scratching. The grips rates in about good condition for an antique. 

Type of Finish: Blued and now patinated. 

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is worn down. There is heavy erosion and fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 1/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 5% of its original metal finish. Most of the blue has worn off and/or patinated, especially where it has been handled. The barrel has retained most of the blue along its length. The action is rough and the cylinder lockup is poor Overall, this handgun rates in about Poor condition. But as an antique rates are very fair.

Mechanics: The action functions incorrectly. There is a “push-off” in the hammer and this gun is unsafe. The barrel has an extractor that does not operate when the action is opened. This is a common issue. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The revolver is accompanied by a leather holster and belt rigg. The Rig and holster are deteriorating but will be fine for display. The holster rates at poor condition.

Our Assessment: The .44 Double Action First Model was introduced in 1881 and sold until 1913. A total of 54,668 revolvers were produced. All frames were manufactured before 1899, making this model an antique.

The .44 Double Action First Model was designed to fire the .44 S&W Russian cartridge. Serial numbers were for numbers 1 to 54668. It was manufactured in either a blue or nickel finish, however, a special finish could be ordered at an additional cost. It was available in barrel lengths of 3 ½, 4, 5, 6, and 6 ½ inches.

There were many copies of S&W designs made in Europe. Some were licensed, but most were not. Some were outright forgeries trying to pass themselves off as genuine S&W products. Generally speaking, the copies made by Ludwig and Lowe in Germany and the Tula arsenal in Russia were high-quality copies. There were also copies, or counterfeits is probably a better word, made in Belgium, Spain, and Mexico.

According to The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, by Supica and Nahas, in the 1890s S&W went as far as to bring legal action against one Belgian firm for marketing counterfeits of the S&W design. After a lengthy legal battle, S&W eventually won their case, resulting in 'heavy damages' to the Belgian firm. Not what we usually expect of Belgian gun makers, who are normally known for high quality. This Revolver is one of those counterfeits. This item was produced under military contract in Europe and eventually stamped for import to the U.S. This gives us great reason to believe there may be some story behind this revolver. It is a Belgium copy of an American classic that helped to shape our country and culture today. With a rich history and multiple different models, collecting these revolvers has been growing in popularity; this would make a great addition to any arms collection.