Need info on my 1880 smith and wesson 1st model 44 russian revolver

Hi, youngunz4life,

Yes, I considered all of that, and ordinarily I wouldn't suggest restoration. If the gun had any significant amount of original finish or, on the other hand was badly worn or beat up, I would say to leave it alone. But a gun like that, with the outer surface intact (no buffing, no dents, no deep scratches), can be made to look almost new. Plus bsheets got it at a price that will allow him to spend some money on it and still have a gun that will be worth significantly more than he will have in it.

And, of course, Turnbull is the top restorer in the country, not some hamhand with a buffing wheel who thinks markings are obscene and to be removed as quickly as possible.

Jim
 
well turnbull responded today and said that they do not do work on this type of reolver i am extremely interested in getting a proper restoration done. if there is anyone else that there may be who is reputable and can do this for me, i would appreciate if someone could send me a link to their website.

thanks
 
If I still had a license and a shop I would love to take that one on. But no can do. I defintely would not take it to the average gunsmith; most of them go by the old motto "Lean a little harder on the wheel, there are still some markings on that gun."

Maybe Google would help, but I would certainly talk to the people and find out a lot about them before taking a chance. No restoration is always better than a bad restoration.

Jim
 
well i have contacted a few different companies and nobody seems to work on this particular type of revolver so I guess it will go into the safe till I can find someone to work on it, or find the need to sell it, thanks for all the info and help.
 
Restorations, done right, are never cheap. That is why it is important to choose the item carefully, even if the restorer doesn't. I recall one old gun that a man had restored elsewhere after I advised against it. The restoration was good, but cost nearly $400, high at that time; the gun was worth $25 before and maybe $75 after, but the owner was happy.

Jim
 
Blue Train, they might. I have replaced grips on S&W breaktop .32 and .38 revolvers with grips from the J frame. They are a bit long (easily taken care of) but otherwise fit perfectly; even the pin is in the right place.

Jim
 
The more things change, the more things stay the same. I also notice that some of the so-called classic S&W revolvers (which might be called reproductions, in a manner of speaking) actually have the very old style slim grips.
 
E. C. Meacham Arms Co., St. Louis (1884)

NEW MODEL 44, No. 3.
Blued or Plated.
Central Fire, Double Action, six shot, weight 2 1/4 lbs.,
Cal 44-100, Length of barrel 4-inch, $17.50; 5-inch $17.81;
6-inch...$18.12; EXTRA, Pearl Stocks, $5.00; Ivory, 2.18.

Pictured with revolver is a cartridge marked 44 RUSSIAN

And the headline at the top of the page;
Smith & Wesson Automatic Revolvers.
 
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