Perhaps of some interest here ?

[Major 2]

I happened by (actually more by habit ) my friendly FFL Saturday....
A buddy of mine and I often make it a Saturday Gun Shop & Lunch habit.

This Orbea Brothers S&W Copy caught my eye, it is circa 1916,  It had some patches black spray paint in the cylinder scallops, and inside the trigger guard.

I desided it needed a new lease in life, as wall hanger in my Reloading room, so for $50 it came home with me....

But as I began a detailed cleaning & the patches of paint removal
I found the Proof marks, Maker mark, SS# , and all matching assembly numbers .
and did some internet research I discovered it's Manf. date, the maker Orbea Brothers Eibar, Spain.

A lot of these were made for France ( WW1 ) later a number were imported to this country,  Leading to The Great Smith & Wesson Trademark Infringement Suit.

Here it is all cleaned up , Acetone made quick work of the paint , there was 0 blue remaining except under the Grips ( had the "56" matching assembly numbers as on the frame, Cyl & barrel) )
It locks up reasonably snug a bit of end shake & 5 mm rotational movement.
Bore looks good IMHO...
The caliber is 38 Long Colt  so marked  some how it survived the WWII scrap drive.
One specuation is it was it either a stage or film prop ( explaining the black paint )

[pony express]

Definitely interesting! and for $50!! And functions well. Seems like the next step is see if it's a .357 bore 38LC, or if it's .375.

[Abilene]

cool beans!  Don't let your FFL know or he might start charging more for "wallhangers"