[Padrino1974]

A friend offered me this revolver for sale. I cannot identify the manufacturer or the model. It has no stamp, only a 39 on the drum and handle, the barrel diameter is .423. Does anyone have any idea what that is? What can you pay for it. How old can he be?

 

[timetripper]

A Belgium or Spanish copy of the S&W #3. Probably chambered for the old S&W 44 Russian. No way to tell for certain by pictures alone. As far as price... the ones I've seen at local gun auctions were not engraved and sold for less than $150. That one is fairly nice but they don't really command a high price. I can only hazard a guess of maybe $250 - $350 to the right buyer.

John

 

[Wiregrassguy]

As John says, it is likely a copy of the .44 Double Action, 1st Model. The cylinder shoulders indicate a .44 Russian chambering. You didn't show a serial number on the butt frame but say it is there. The number stamp on the cylinder does not look like a typical S&W stamp. The grips are not S&W. I've never seen the "turbine fan" cartouche before. It is a very nice, engraved handgun and I might differ with John on its value. I think it might sell in the $500-700 range in the US.

 

[Padrino1974]

Verry interesting, i think it was build in the 1920`s maybe earlier. I have an old german Catalog from 1910 and 1920 with some S& W Revolvers here is a screenshot! Pleas enjoy it....a löittle thank you for your Quick and competently answers!

 

[1av8r]

Agreeing with Guy. The engraving is going to bump up the price. It looks nice whatever its origin.

 

[schutzen-jager]

JMHO - if it was of Belgian origin it would definitely have proof marks -

 

[Absalom]

Like Guy says, the fan pattern in the grip cartouche is something I can‘t attribute to any known maker. But several Spanish manufacturers around Eibar, like Trocaola, Anitua, and Orbea Hermanos, made these copies of the S&W, including for foreign contracts during WW I.

I suspect any markings on the frame fell victim to the engraving.

 

[Padrino1974]

Should I possibly disassemble the revolver and see inside if I can find something? I would like to know where he comes from. He doesn't even have gunshot marks

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It appears that any identifying markings on the outside of the gun have been removed. There is likely nothing on the inside to ID it, so I would leave it alone. Some things will forever be a mystery.