Make: Orbea Hermanos, Eibar, Spain
Model: Smith & Wesson No. 3 New Model Copy
serial number: 2271
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1878-1882 / Antique. The barrel inscription includes "CON PRIVILEGIO EN ESPAÑA"; Orbea's privilege for manufacture of the Smith & Wesson system expired in 1882.
Caliber: .44 Russian
Action Type: Single Action, Top-Break Revolver with 6-Shot Cylinder and Simultaneous Extraction
Barrel Length: 7"
Markings: The top barrel rib is marked "ORBEA HERMANOS (EIBAR) CON PRIVILEGIO EN ESPAÑA". The butt is marked "2271". The rear face of the cylinder is marked "71", matching the final two digits of the serial number. The grip panels have molded circular "OH" Orbea Hermanos monograms. The inside of the stock mounting bracket is marked with "71".
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a round blade pinned to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch integral to the barrel latch.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The revolver is fitted with two-piece checkered black hard rubber grip panels with molded "OH" monograms and diamond-shaped screw escutcheons. The grips have no cracks. They fit slightly shy of the frame at the top, likely the result of age-related shrinkage. There are scattered light handling marks.
Also included is a detachable smooth walnut shoulder stock with nickel-plated mounting hardware decorated with scroll engraving complementary to that of the revolver. The wood has scattered scratches, compressions, nicks, and other handling marks. There are no notable chips or cracks. The stock mounting metal has finish wear, and the upper tang has lost most of its nickel finish and taken to a dark patina. Overall, both grip and stock are in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Nickel Plated, Case Hardened, floral Nimschke New York style engraving
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion down the length with corrosion more concentrated near and inside the muzzle. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: The revolver retains approximately 60% of its original nickel-plated finish. The remaining nickel is strongest on portions of the frame and grip straps, with more extensive loss on the barrel. The exposed metal has developed gray and brown patina with scattered oxidation, freckling, and areas of light erosion or pitting, particularly along the barrel. The extensive scroll engraving remains readily visible throughout the frame, cylinder, and barrel assembly, giving the revolver considerable visual character despite the finish loss. The screw heads show age and scattered tool marks but remain generally serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good-Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Comes with research material on the history of these Spanish No. 3 revolvers.
Our Assessment: Orbea Hermanos was one of the most important arms manufacturers of Eibar during the latter 19th century and was among the Spanish firms most closely associated with domestic production of Smith & Wesson-pattern revolvers. This example is particularly interesting because it is not merely an Eibar interpretation of a Smith & Wesson design; its "CON PRIVILEGIO EN ESPAÑA" inscription dates it to the period when Orbea held the exclusive Spanish manufacturing privilege for the Smith & Wesson system. Period references specifically document Orbea's six-shot .44 caliber No. 3 New Model copies with 7?-class barrels and detachable shoulder stocks, making the configuration of this revolver exceptionally representative of the firm's early Smith & Wesson production.
This is a particularly attractive surviving example with extensive scroll engraving, substantial remnants of its original nickel finish, Orbea-marked hard rubber grips, and the desirable detachable shoulder stock. The age-related finish loss and oxidation are evident, but the engraving remains quite well presented and the stock adds considerably to both the visual appeal and collector interest of the outfit. With its matching stock, this well preserved revolver, considering it is about 150 years old, is attractive enough that it may even pique the interest of Smith & Wesson collectors.
