Manufactured from 1871 to 1874, the Model 3 Russian, First Model was developed for the Russian Government and was the same design as the Model 3 American, except it was designed to fire the .44 S&W Russian cartridge. Smith & Wesson manufactured a total of 5,165 commercial First Model Russian revolvers. Another 20,000 were manufactured under contract for the Russian Government. This particular revolver has Nimschke New York broad leaf floral scroll and punch dot engraving on the sides of the frame, cylinder flats and sides of the barrel. There is a geometric design on the top and sides of the barrel at the breech. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the one line address, patent dates and Russian Model marking flanked by Maltese crosses. The serial number is on the butt, and the matching assembly number and the letter "F" are on the rear face of the cylinder, rear of the barrel and on the barrel latch. Pinned blade front sight, notch rear sight, nickel finish with casehardened trigger guard and hammer, and fitted with pair of carved grips with a high relief Mexican eagle and checkering on the left panel and checkering on the right panel. The accompanying Roy Jinks factory letter states that the revolver was shipped to M.W. Robinson in New York City on September 10, 1872 with an 8 inch barrel and nickel finish. Robinson supplied a lot of engraved guns. The letter further states, "This revolver is one of the best examples of New York engraving that I have examined." and "The carved ivory grips are the finest I have ever seen. This is one of the greatest Model 3's in America."

Very fine. The revolver retains at least 90% original nickel finish showing some scattered minor flaking and frosting. The hammer and trigger have a smooth gray patina. The fabulous carved grips are also very fine with a few minor age cracks on the bottom, a mellow patina and very attractive grain. The carved Mexican eagle motif is sharp and the checkering is crisp. The roll-markings and engraving are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. As the factory letter states, a beautiful example of “one of the greatest Smith & Wesson Model 3's in America”.