Smith & Wesson Model 3
The Smith & Wesson Model 3 is a single-action, top-break revolver introduced in 1870, recognized as the first large-caliber (.44), centerfire cartridge-firing handgun manufactured in the United States.[1] Designed with a hinged frame that allows the barrel and cylinder to pivot downward for rapid reloading of metallic cartridges, it marked a significant advancement over cap-and-ball predecessors by enabling faster and more reliable operation in combat or frontier conditions.[2] Chambered initially in the .44 S&W American cartridge, the Model 3 featured a 6-round cylinder, ribbed barrel options typically 5 to 8 inches long, and adjustable sights, with an overall length of approximately 12 inches and a weight of about 3 pounds.[3][2] Produced until around 1915, the Model 3 evolved through several variants that adapted it for military, international, and civilian use, including the First and Second Model American (1870–1874, with early frame designs), the Russian Model (1871–1878, chambered in .44 Russian and exported in large quantities to the Russian Empire), the Schofield Model (1875, modified for U.S. Army lanyard use and chambered in .45 Schofield), and the New Model No. 3 (1878–1912, incorporating improved extraction mechanisms).[4][2] First adopted by the U.S. Army in 1870 (with the American variant) as the first cartridge-based service pistol, prior to the Colt Single Action Army; the Schofield variant followed in 1875, though production was limited to about 8,000 units due to cartridge compatibility issues.[3][2] Beyond its technical innovations, the Model 3 gained iconic status in American history for its role in the post-Civil War era and the Wild West, favored by figures such as lawman Wyatt Earp for its balance of power and reload speed, as well as outlaws like members of the James-Younger Gang.[2] Its design influenced subsequent revolver developments and remains a collector's staple, with reproductions produced today for historical reenactments and sport shooting.[4]History
Development
The Smith & Wesson Model 3 was introduced in 1870 as the first large-frame, top-break, cartridge-loading revolver produced by the company, marking a substantial evolution from the smaller Model 2, which had been limited to .32 rimfire calibers in a tip-up frame design.[5] This new revolver addressed the growing need for a more powerful, military-grade sidearm capable of handling centerfire cartridges, leveraging advancements in metallic ammunition technology that had matured in the 1860s.[2] The expiration of Rollin White's 1855 patent for bored-through revolver cylinders in 1869 allowed S&W to expand production without legal restrictions and faced competition from Colt's percussion-to-cartridge conversions.[6] The primary designers were company founders Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson, who established the firm in 1856 and held exclusive rights to Rollin White's patent. Critical innovations for the Model 3 included the top-break latch and improved cylinder design contributed by William Mason, a former Colt engineer who joined Smith & Wesson in 1869. The extraction mechanism was patented under U.S. Patent No. 94,003 on August 24, 1869, by factory superintendent Charles A. King.[7][8] These features allowed the barrel and cylinder to pivot downward for simultaneous ejection and reloading.[5] Development was driven by post-Civil War market demands for self-contained metallic cartridge firearms, which offered reliability over cap-and-ball systems. The top-break mechanism specifically targeted issues like black powder residue buildup, enabling quicker clearing of spent cases compared to side-loading designs.[2] Prototypes of the Model 3 were tested in 1870 U.S. Ordnance Board trials, where they demonstrated superior speed in reloading and overall performance, resulting in an initial Army contract for 1,000 units as the first standard-issue cartridge revolver in U.S. military service.[5][9]Production Timeline
Production of the Smith & Wesson Model 3 commenced in 1870 at the company's Springfield, Massachusetts factory, initially focusing on early models to meet a U.S. Army contract for 1,000 units of the American variant, with total production of the American models reaching about 8,000.[10] These initial revolvers marked the transition from prototype to full-scale manufacturing before the specialization into distinct variants.[11] To support growing demand, Smith & Wesson introduced steam-powered machinery in 1872, enabling significant increases in output and efficiency at the Springfield facility. Production reached its peak during the 1870s and 1880s, with the company manufacturing over 145,000 original Model 3 revolvers across all variants by 1915.[5] Serial numbers progressed generally from 1 to 147,000, allocated in blocks specific to variants, such as the Russian model's range of 1 to 31,000.[12] By the early 1900s, production began to decline due to intensifying competition from double-action revolvers and the industry's shift toward smokeless powder ammunition, which favored more modern designs.[13] These factors rendered the single-action top-break mechanism less viable for contemporary military and civilian markets, culminating in the cessation of Model 3 production in 1915.Design
Mechanism and Operation
The Smith & Wesson Model 3 employs a top-break design characterized by a rear-mounted latch on the frame's top strap. Depressing this latch releases the barrel and cylinder assembly, which pivots downward on a hinge located at the lower front of the frame, granting access to the six-shot cylinder for reloading. This motion simultaneously engages a spring-loaded extractor star beneath the cylinder, which withdraws and ejects spent cartridge cases from all chambers in one efficient operation.[14][15][10] As a single-action revolver, the Model 3 requires the user to manually cock the external hammer for each shot using the thumb, which advances the cylinder via a ratchet and pawl system to align the next chamber with the barrel and forces the firing pin to rest position after each discharge. The mechanism incorporates a rebounding hammer that springs back from the firing pin upon release, preventing it from resting against the primer and thereby reducing the risk of accidental ignition from impact or vibration. A half-cock notch on the hammer allows safe cylinder rotation for loading without full cocking, serving as a primary safety feature during preparation.[14][10] The core structure consists of a forged steel frame supporting a ribbed barrel, typically measuring 6.5 to 8 inches in length for improved sight radius and balance, paired with a bird's-head shaped grip that enhances handling and recoil control.[14][15] Disassembly for maintenance begins with ensuring the revolver is unloaded and the hammer at half-cock. Pull the barrel catch rearward to tilt the barrel down; loosen the rear cylinder catch screw half a turn, tilt the catch up, and remove the cylinder rearward. Next, remove the joint-pivot screw from the frame's left side, drive the joint pivot out from the right side, and lift the barrel off. Further breakdown involves removing the sideplate screws to access internal components like the hammer, trigger, and mainsprings, but care must be taken to avoid losing small parts such as the hand spring. Reassembly reverses these steps, ensuring all components align properly before testing function.[16][10]Calibers and Specifications
The Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolver was initially chambered for the .44 S&W American cartridge, a rimmed, centerfire round specifically developed to ensure reliable extraction via the top-break action's simultaneous ejection system. Subsequent production incorporated the .44 Russian and .45 Schofield calibers, both also rimmed for compatibility with the revolver's rapid reload mechanism. These ammunition types prioritized military and civilian self-defense needs, with the rimmed design preventing jamming during the barrel's downward pivot. Key specifications of the base Model 3 included an overall length ranging from 10.5 to 12.75 inches, depending on barrel configuration, and an unloaded weight of approximately 2.9 pounds, balancing portability with stability for accurate fire. The cylinder held six rounds, a standard capacity for large-frame revolvers of the era. Barrels, constructed from high-carbon steel, measured 6 to 8 inches in length and featured either blued or nickel finishes for corrosion resistance and aesthetics; sights consisted of a fixed U-notch rear and blade front, with adjustable options available on select configurations for improved precision.[17]| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Calibers | .44 S&W American (base), .44 Russian, .45 Schofield (all rimmed centerfire) |
| Cylinder Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Length | 10.5–12.75 inches |
| Barrel Length | 6–8 inches |
| Weight (Unloaded) | Approximately 2.9 lb |
| Barrel Finish | Blued steel or nickel-plated |
| Sights | Fixed U-notch rear, blade front (adjustable variants available) |
| Materials | High-carbon steel (barrel and cylinder); rosewood or hard rubber grips |