If not a S&W Model 3, what is it?

[exhumis]

Hello,
My name is Shayne, I'm a new forum member from Virginia.
I was given this pistol from my father; he picked it up somewhere but wasn't sure where. I'm trying to figure out what it is. I thought it was either a model 3 or a Shofield, but after speaking to a gunsmith and conducting extensive research, I don't believe so. The cartouche on the side has myself and others intrigued as no one seems to know who it belongs to. Most people agree that it's a Mexican or Spanish model; however, those have different identification markings than mine has.

-The trigger guard on my revolver is different than what i've seen and has an extra pin
-The barrel latch rear site on mine only has one screw
-Mine has a lanyard attached to the bottom of the grip.
-Mine is also missing the side plate and does not have the rear screw to the right of the side plate.
-Stamped into the top of the barrel rib is info on what type of ammunition to use.
-Mine has a cartouche etched into the right side just in front of the grips.
-Grips appear to be mother of pearl
-It also has some inspection stamps in the grip that I noticed after removing the grip handles.
-All the parts match: the trigger, barrel latch, grip, cylinder, all match with the number 34, so it looks like original parts.
-The MOP grip handles have pencil markings on them.
-This one has a single cock hammer, no cocking half way.
-Stamped on the butt in front of the lanyard ring is the serial number 09180.
-Etched on the top of the rib is the statement: " SMITH & WESSON'S AMERICAN METALLIC CARTRIDGES CAL 38 ARE TO BE USED FOR OUR MODEL OF REVOLVER JAN 24 1883.

Anyone have any guesses as to what this is? I was going to sell it whole but the gunsmith pointed out a large crack running right through the center of the backstrap so I guess i'll sell it for parts maybe.
Thanks for any info!

 

[James K]

It is neither a Model 3 nor a Schofield (which are single action revolvers), or even a Smith & Wesson. It is a Spanish revolver, made by Garate y Anitua & Co. of Eibar, one of many thousands of copies of various S&W revolvers made in Spain. The absence of markings other than the trademark and the use of "Smith & Wesson" in the barrel legend were deliberately deceptive, intended to lead a buyer (especially one who did read English) to believe the gun was made by S&W.

While Garate y Anitua guns are reasonably well made, at least as compared to many other Spanish guns in the 1880-1940 period, they are nowhere near the quality of S&W or Colt, and many are made of cast iron rather than steel. The grips (they appear to be genuine mother of pearl) probably are more valuable than the gun, but there is no guarantee they will fit anything else.

Value? Not much, maybe $75-100, tops.

Jim

 

[exhumis]

James K-
Thanks for the info! It's cool to know what kind of firearm it is, wish I could learn more about it's history. Again, thanks!

 

[Winchester_73]

For the record, it also appears to be a copy of a S&W .44 DA not a Model 3. There is a variant called the New Model Navy No 3 though. Model 3s are single action, and so appear slightly different.

+1 on Jim K's post.

 

[Bob Wright]

Guns of that type were made in profusion in Europe, both for domestic sale and export. Many of my relatives who fought in WW I brought back similar examples, though most I've seen were .44-40 caliber. Don't recall ever having seen a .38.

Some of these were given to me as a kid, and being free, I didn't mind opening them up to see what made them tick. Useless as shooters, I at least learned a lot from them.

One big disappointment as a kid was when a cousin promised me a "Smith & Wesson .44," which turned out to be a Belgian DA copy in .44-40. Still, was a learning tool.

Bob Wright