This rare S&W Russian Model .44 Rimfire revolver is pictured and identified in Robert Neal and Roy Jink's "Smith & Wesson, 1857-1945" (published 1965, revised 1975) on page 174 where it is cited, then in the Robert N. Nadler Collection, as "one of the 1,000 Rim Fires numbered in their own series and sold to Turkey." These Turkish contract revolvers were numbered from 1 to 1,000 and used an Old Model Russian frame with the larger trigger pin which necessitates a bump on the bottom of the frame and a New Model Russian barrel with the larger cylinder retention screw. These rare "Turkish models" saw hard use and when encountered are generally in rough condition. The barrel rib has the one-line S&W legend ending with "RUSSIAN MODEL." The right grip panel has the number "3587." The matching serial number appears on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. Provenance: The Robert N. Nadler Collection; The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection; Property of a Gentleman
Very fine, retaining 98% plus of the high quality pre-World War II factory refinished blue finish (diamond stamp on cylinder face under extractor) with a few minor handling marks. 90% of the case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are excellent with a few minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. As one of only 1,000 manufactured, this rare Turkish contract Smith & Wesson Russian No. 3 Rimfire Revolver is often missing from even the most advanced collections.
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