A rare S&W Third Model Russian revolver

dating: 1874 provenance: USA, Round, 6-1/2', 44 Russian cal. barrel, with one-piece foresight and rib. On the back the company markings with patents up to 1875 and the rare inscription 'REISSUE JULY 25.1871'. Grooved, six-shot cylinder. Working mechanics. Inside the barrel visible groove and pitting areas. A little play of the barrel. Trigger guard with finger support. Ivory grips. Ring for the strap. Grip dated '1874' and with four-digit serial number '65xx', the same serial number can be found on the barrel, on the latch and on the cylinder. Arrow engravings on the receiver. Possible traces of a mark on the bottom of the grip. A total of 9000 examples were produced with the inscription 'REISSUE', numbered separately from 1 to 9000. This special series included both Second Model Russians and Third Model Russians, made mainly for Turkish and Japanese contracts and for civilian markets. This could be a very rare Japanese Third Model (1000 produced in all) for the civilian market, given the lack of military marks and the 44 Russian cal. which was not used in Turkey. See: 'Standard Catalog of Smith & WESSON' by Supica/Nahas, pp. 95-97. length 29,5 cm.