Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: New Model No. 3

Serial Number: 8435

Year of Manufacture: Ca 1881 (14,000 were built between 1878 and 1885 – “Standard Catalog of S&W” by Nahas) / Antique

Caliber: .44 Russian

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Top Break Barrel

Barrel Length: The barrel has a full length top rib and is 6" in length.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade pinned to the top strap. The rear sight is a “U” notch in the barrel latch.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber with S&W logos molded at their tops. The checkering is worn with some definition. Areas have worn smooth. There are no chips. There is a crack inside the right grip that is not visible from the outside. The grips rate in Good Condition as antique.

Type of Finish: The revolver is nickel plated with a case colored hammer and a blued barrel latch.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with defined rifling where not interrupted by erosion. There is erosion throughout the bore and with mild pitting. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 15% of its metal finish remaining. The frame, cylinder, latch, and barrel all have matching serial numbers. There are trace amounts of nickel plating preserved in the protected areas. Most of the plating has worn away and there is evidence of cleaning. There is intermittent oxidation and erosion. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots, and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fair - Good condition.

Mechanics: The cylinder slips due to the hand and hand spring being worn. Otherwise, the action functions correctly, including the ejector. There is a hint of play in the barrel lockup and the cylinder lockup is solid with light play on all chambers. The trigger pull is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet all your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Introduced in 1878, the Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 was the final and most refined development of the company’s large-frame, single-action top-break revolver. Improvements to the extractor, mainspring, and cylinder-retention system produced a more mature design, while the top-break action provided rapid simultaneous extraction of the fired cases. The .44 Russian was its principal chambering, and the New Model No. 3 earned an international reputation among military users, exhibition shooters, and target competitors during a production run that continued until 1912. This circa-1881 example has a 6" barrel, matching-numbered frame, barrel, cylinder, and latch, factory-style hard-rubber stocks, and traces of its original nickel finish remaining in protected areas. Though well worn, this remains an honest antique example of Smith & Wesson’s premier large-frame top-break revolver.