Smith & Wesson manufactured 20,000 of the second models for the Russian contract. The unusual thing about this revolver is that it has no serial number marked on any parts, instead there are two tiny punch “dots” on the heel of the butt (see close up), on the inside of each grip panel, under the grip on the lower left side of the grip strap, the rear cylinder face, underside of the barrel catch, on top of the frame in the catch cut-out and the right rear of the barrel where the barrel latch is. There is a tiny "D" on the back of the cylinder below the punch marks, a small "B" on the barrel flat on the underside near the hinge and another “B” on the left rear of the frame at the knuckle. Similar markings were placed on Smith & Wesson revolvers made for the Russian Government and S&W clearly sold some commercial revolvers made from parts that were intended for the Russian contracts, but for one or more reasons they were not used on contract arms. It is generally thought that these parts didn't pass the strict Russian inspectors, but were satisfactory for commercial arms. The "Old Model Russian" revolvers, such as this one, were fully serial numbered in the same paces where the “two dot” markings are found on this particular revolver. Charles Pate's book, "Smith & Wesson’s American Model in U.S. and Foreign Service" has more detailed discussion on the various markings. A copy of a letter from Charles Pate, dated 10/12/2011 gives his assessment of this revolver and details the “two dot” markings as well as the inspectors initials described above. Pate states in the letter that "The nickel-plated finish of this pistol is clearly old and in my opinion is factory original. I find no indications on the internal or external parts that this pistol has been refinished, either by the factory or by others." Also, based on the barrel address and configuration of parts, Pate states he believes this gun to have been manufactured in 1874 or slightly later, and notes that other examples of this model bearing unusual markings are known to collectors, such as one which is stamped with the letter “S”, as this one is with the “two dots”, in place of serial numbers in all the usual locations. In a subsequent phone conversation, on 10-17-2011, Pate further commented that; for some specific, yet unknown reason, this revolver was mfd. as currently marked, and because of that fact, it was obviously NOT intended for commercial sale or as part of the Russian military contract – he believes that this gun was most probably a “sample” of some sort, the same as is thought to be the case with the two other oddly-marked examples known. This revolver features a pinned steel front sight with notched rear sight. The top of the rib is marked "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD. MASS. U.S.A. PAT. JULY 10.60. JAN. 17. FEB. 17. JULY. 11 65 & AUG. 24. 69. RUSSIAN MODEL". All nickel finish with casehardened hammer and trigger, lanyard ring at the butt and fitted with smooth oiled walnut grips. The bottom of the front strap is stamped with an unidentified "Crown/Eagle" proof which is only about 20% visible.

Very fine with 95% plus of the original nickel finish remaining. Overall the finish has taken on a bit of light age-patina in the plating. The barrel exhibits minor high point edge wear and some scattered handling marks. The frame and cylinder also display some mild high edge wear and a few very small patches of freckling. The hammer still displays faint remnants of original case colors. The grips are also very fine. Overall, a very unusual and rare variation of a Second Model Russian.