Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .44 Double Action, First Model, New Model Navy No. 3 Revolver
Serial Number: 12227
Year of Manufacture: 1881-1899 / Antique
Caliber: .44 Russian
Action Type: Double Action / Single action, Top Break Revolver
Barrel Length: 5"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a half-moon blade pinned to the top rib. The rear sight is a U notch in the barrel latch.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece handmade Tony Kojis TK Grips smooth mother of pearl panels. There are no chips or cracks. There are a few minor surface lines. There is some discoloration at the tops and bottoms. Overall, the grips rate in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Nickel Plated, Case Color hammer and trigger. Blued trigger guard.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light intermittent pitting, but most of the bore is free of erosion. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 95% of its original nickel finish. The plating is strong throughout with light intermittent oxidation. There is finish loss on some of the leading edges. The case colors are vibrant. Overall, this handgun rates in Excellent condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lock up is solid with faint play. The timing is excellent. 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: This revolver includes a John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity.
Our Assessment: This Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model—marketed in period literature as the New Model Navy No. 3—stands as an important early expression of large-frame double-action revolver design, bridging the gap between 19th-century single-action doctrine and the emerging practicality of rapid-fire service handguns. Chambered in the historically significant .44 Russian cartridge, it reflects the period when Smith & Wesson was refining the top-break platform into a mechanically efficient and commercially viable fighting revolver. As an antique-production example dating to the 1881–1899 era, it carries intrinsic historical weight, but its significance is substantially amplified by its documented association with noted firearms authority John Taffin and its appearance as a reference example in The Book of Double-Action Sixguns, securing its place not only as a collectible arm but as a published benchmark within the study of American double-action revolvers.
Beyond its historical placement, this example benefits from strong collector provenance and presentation. Originating from the John Taffin Collection and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, it carries a level of traceable pedigree that materially elevates its desirability among advanced Smith & Wesson collectors. The revolver is further enhanced by finely executed Tony Kojis mother-of-pearl grips, adding a distinct custom aesthetic that complements the period nickel finish and case-colored small parts. Condition is notably strong for its age, retaining approximately 95% original nickel with only light edge wear and intermittent oxidation, while the case colors remain vivid. Mechanically, the revolver presents as sound with solid lockup, correct function, and proper timing, and the bore remains bright with sharp rifling and only light scattered pitting, rating 7/10. The result is a well-preserved, highly documented antique that combines early double-action engineering significance with elite-level provenance, making it especially compelling to collectors focused on both historical importance and publication-grade examples.
