A pair to draw to

[The Pathfinder]

Hey, Driftwood, here's a pair of old S&W DAs I found available. Wish I had the jack.

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/10934146/guns-for-sale-antiques/smith-and-wesson-antique-cased-pair-of-s-and-w-1st-model-no.3-44-russ

Would love to see them come back to life.

[St. George]

In viewing them and their current price - it's likely that they'll be reasonably priced upon auction's end.

The case isn't original, and that can lower the value considerably, and their average condition isn't what one might expect from a cased set.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Hey, Driftwood, here's a pair of old S&W DAs I found available. Wish I had the jack.

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/10934146/guns-for-sale-antiques/smith-and-wesson-antique-cased-pair-of-s-and-w-1st-model-no.3-44-russ

Would love to see them come back to life.

I'd ask to see pictures of the top rib of the barrel (where the address is).  Lots of these DAs were cut downs.  If the address is half missing, you'll know the are a chop job.   I'm a little suspicious of the upper one. The front sight doesnt look quite right.  It may be filed or a replacement after cutting the barrel. 

I'd also ask it the SA and DA springs are both working.  SA  seams to fail on many of these. 

[The Pathfinder]

I agree with ya's. Not into the big S&W double actions, I've been looking for a first model Russian myself. Found one this weekend at the Ohio Gun Collectors show, but didn't have that kind of money. I just thought Driftwood might appreciate seeing the set so posted the link. I know he appreciates them more than I do.

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Online auction sites in general show elevated prices.  I collect 38 and 44 pre-1900 DA Smiths.  I strongly believe one should handle these antiques before purchace. Attention should be placed to:  hinge, ejector, hammer springs, trigger, bore, finish, and finally barrel length.  The difference between a 44 Russian and a 44 WCF or 38 WCF is only indicated by cylinder length. Great deals can be had on these at gun shows.  Last one I found was a DA 44 Frontier for sale by an individual who had it listed as an "Antique Saturday Night Special". I bought it for $350.  He had no idea what he was selling.

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Here's a pair of my "shooters".

Both started life as 6" 44 Frontiers.  They both were cut to 4" at some point.   The one on the right was buffed and refinished at some point in its life.  The reblue was pretty crude.  It had no Grips.

The one on the left had a broken main spring.  I had Bill English fabricate a new one. He used a spring from a modern N frame. 

I purchased both of them at gunshows for under $400 each  These are both now  functional revolvers and a joy to shoot.

Perhaps I am akin to a person that rescues unwanted or abused pure bred dogs.   I know repairs reduce the collectible value, but getting beaters like these back to function spares them from being parted out or thrown to a scrap heap. 

[Mogorilla]

Amen to both Poncho, rescuing dogs (best deal mankind ever made) and rescuing broken down firearms and repairing them to do what they were made to do.   

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Yeah, they were interesting to look at.

Personally I wouldn't dream of buying a gun I had not handled myself.

Nice guns Pancho. The Smiths and the '86. Is that a Turnbull job?

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Howdy

Yeah, they were interesting to look at.

Personally I wouldn't dream of buying a gun I had not handled myself.

Nice guns Pancho. The Smiths and the '86. Is that a Turnbull job?

It's a Browning / Miroku 86.  I bought it used. The seller claimed it was a Turnbull refinish. I contacted Turnbull and they had no record of working on this gun.  Regardless, the case hardened colors look great.