NWMP Holster for Uberti S&W Russian

[RattlesnakeJack]

I assume this will qualify as "non-cowboy" ...

When I acquired my Uberti Russian-model S&W top-break for use with a North-West Mounted Police impression for Grand Army of the Frontier shooting (perfectly legitimate, because the NWMP acquired 30 such revolvers in late 1874) it did not fit in the NWMP-pattern holster I had already made for my original NWMP-issue .476 Enfield revolver.   Accordingly, I had to make a new holster for the Russian ...

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I assume this will qualify as "non-cowboy" ...

Actually by our definition, it is "cowboy" since it is historically correct for the cowboy era.

That's a fine holster. I love the accuracy of it. Your outfit must be like the one on the left, since your avatar photo shows the white helmet on you. Nice work!

[Major 2]

I have an affection for Service holsters, that one is crackerjack. 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I split this off from the Non-Cowboy thread because this topic holds its own as a separate thread. It's a fine example of historically correct leather. Very good work, for sure.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Marshal, thank you for elevating this to a thread of its own ...

Having numerous British Empire military/quasi-military impressions (primarily Canadian) my avatar photo is not NWMP (and that particular helmet is khaki rather than white) but I ended up with both the impression on the left (reserved mainly as "dress uniform", for banquets and such)  and, for greater comfort shooting, a full cotton duck fatigue uniform, which allows "mix and match" options such as the semi-official "patrol uniform" shown on the right, combining the cotton duck fatigue jacket with the primary uniform trousers and boots, worn either with the fatigue uniform cap or the familiar peaked stetson (the latter not actually becoming an official part of the uniform until the early years of the 20th century, even though a standardized form of it was commonly worn for many years before that.) 





Unfortunately, I am definitely not as young ... nor anywhere near as "svelte" ... as the chaps in the artist's renderings ... 😏

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I see the khaki helmet. I have an original khaki pith helmet but it has that musty barn scent because it was stored in one for many years before I got it. I suppose it could be freshened but I don't need to use it so it remains in a hat box.

Thanks for the information and the photos. I particularly like the fatigue jacket and primary pants with the peaked hat. All look great, of course. Nice touch with the musket forestock on your Mod 73 (or is it a Mod 76?).

[Major 2]

Marshal Will, put an opened box of Arm & Hammer baking soda in with khaki pith helmet and close it up.
A few weeks later.... presto
I have a British WW2 Tropical khaki pith helmet that was some gamey for display, now that issue is solved.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Marshal Will, put an opened box of Arm & Hammer baking soda in with khaki pith helmet and close it up.
A few weeks later.... presto
I have a British WW2 Tropical khaki pith helmet that was some gamey for display, now that issue is solved.

Thanks for the tip, Major. I'll do that when we get it unpacked again. I had forgotten about baking soda. Good stuff for odors.

[Major 2]

I paired my S&W New Model #3 with a British Webley holster, for a lark & look see.
I liked the fit, but as to any provenance for the #3's - Russian or NM in Commonwealth service with that particular holster is only speculation on my part. 
Jack, what would you say?

In another light...
I know the Japanese purchased NM #3's and some Russians models and the
US Revenue Cutter Service (Coast Guard) had NM's.
I've been researching the holster they may have used.   

I have seen an ultra-rare original 'USRCS' marked holster for the Smith & Wesson Model 1902.

Please forgive any thread shift 

[RattlesnakeJack]

Nice touch with the musket forestock on your Mod 73 (or is it a Mod 76?).

Marshal, that is a reproduction NWMP pattern Model 1876, chambered in the correct .45-75. However, quite some time before I got it, I commissioned a "faux" NWMP carbine built on an orphan original Model 1873 action, chambered in .45 Colt for cowboy action shooting ...

[Hair Trigger Jim]

That 1873 is pretty cool too!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Marshal, that is a reproduction NWMP pattern Model 1876, chambered in the correct .45-75. However, quite some time before I got it, I commissioned a "faux" NWMP carbine built on an orphan original Model 1873 action, chambered in .45 Colt for cowboy action shooting ...

They both look good. That Mod 73 does look the part. Beautiful rifles.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Major 2,
I'm not aware of any other official use of top-break S&W revolvers elsewhere in the British Empire, so any use would presumably have been a private purchase by an officer, and to my mind, that would be unlikely because of the definite preference for "buying British" throughout the Empire ... with the exception of Canada, where our proximity to the US saw much more extensive use of American firearms. As you may be aware, although Canada's military rifles were always British in the 19th century, our official military service handguns were always American designs, until the mid-20th century ... until late 1944, when the American/Belgian Browning HighPower pistol - made in Canada by Inglis - was adopted (remaining the primary issue sidearm for over 75 years, until very recently - 2022 - when it was finally replaced by the SIG Sauer P320 - ironically also produced in the States by that company's American subsidiary.)

[Major 2]

I had followed your post regarding Canadian purchased S&W's in late 1800's.
Beyond that I have not seen any printed accounts of #3's in any Commonwealth except Canada

Course I do know Britian purchased S&W's in WW1 & WW2 and acquired some in the Lend Lease.
In particular the Brit's use of .455 Triple Locks.   
I know Australia used both S&W Victory models & Colts Commandos in WW2.

In fact, I had bid a VEGA SAC CA.re-imported S&W Victory. However, it sold outside my wheelhouse.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Yes, Canada's primary-issue military handguns were Colts until the early 20th century (Model 1851 - albeit London production, Model 1878, New Service, and Government Model pistols going into WWI) then, starting in 1915, .455 S&W Hand Ejector and, for WWII, .38 S&W Military & Police Model ...

[Rube Burrows]

Very nicely done.