Forehand & Wadsworth New Model Army 44

levallois · August 17, 2011, 09:22 PM

Just got one - very nicely made - 44 Russian caliber - at least as well-built as Colt, S&W. Remington, or Merwin Hulbert. Serial number is on 9 parts - grip frame butt, both wood grips (counted as only 1), side plate, loading gate, hammer, trigger, trigger guard, cylinder, cylinder arbor (the rod that the cylinder turns on) - I'm sure it's on the barrel too but hidden by the frame which would make 10 parts! I think Merwins only have 9 parts marked.

I'd like to find out more about it. You read in a bunch of places on the web "less than 1000 made" but I don't know where that comes from. There's a pub over at Cornell Publishing on the F&H company but apparently only 4 pages are devoted to the large frame revolvers - not enough to warrant the $20 price. David Chicoine doesn't list this revolver in his Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West book but has something in American Gunsmithing on the preceding Old Model Army that I may have to buy. If anyone had heard/seen anything else, then please let me know. Thanks!

John

levallois · August 20, 2011, 12:06 PM

Wow! 77 looks and no responses. Shows how little is known about these revolvers. I've got some repsonses elsewhere but it's pretty much the same stuff - mostly I think from the Blue Book.

Another artsy-fartsy view of the revolver. I actually own a vintage holster that fits! What are the odds?

**James K** · August 20, 2011, 04:03 PM

I have never seen one and only know what I read in Flayderman, which is likely the source of the "under 1000" figure. From the same source, they were made c. late 1870's to 1880's in .44 Russian, 6 1/2" barrel only. Finish was usually nickel, blue will bring premium.

It also says, "The New Model is quite similar to its predecessor except for the barrel length, the adoption of a safety notch in the hammer, the use of a side-mounted ejector on barrel and frame, and the presence of an exposed type cylinder pin. This has been traditionally classified as a "Secondary Martial" although there is no substantiating evidence to indicate such [military] usage.

Value Good: $1275 Fine $ 3250."

I don't suppose that helps much, but it is all I have. Unfortunately, yours seems to have no finish left, which would probably put its value below even the "good" category.

An interesting gun.

Jim

levallois · August 20, 2011, 04:52 PM

Thanks for the reply - I think Flayderman's is where everyone is getting their info on this model. I also respectively disagree with your rating of the gun - I think it falls nearest to the NRA Antique Firearms Condition rating of very good, described as:

"All original parts, zero-30 percent original finish, original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp, clear lettering, numerals, and design on metal wood slightly scratched or bruised, bore disregarded."

Either way, it's a keeper, as I too have never seen another in the flesh and it's a great and rare addition to my non-Colt Peacemaker old west large frame revolver collection.

**James K** · August 20, 2011, 11:08 PM

I agree it meets that antique category. And it sure is a great addition to your collection. As I said, I have never even seen one "in the steel" as it were. Congrats in finding it.

Jim

August 17, 2011, 09:22 PM	#1
levallois Member Join Date: June 12, 2009 Posts: 62	Forehand & Wadsworth New Model Army 44 Just got one - very nicely made - 44 Russian caliber - at least as well-built as Colt, S&W. Remington, or Merwin Hulbert. Serial number is on 9 parts - grip frame butt, both wood grips (counted as only 1), side plate, loading gate, hammer, trigger, trigger guard, cylinder, cylinder arbor (the rod that the cylinder turns on) - I'm sure it's on the barrel too but hidden by the frame which would make 10 parts! I think Merwins only have 9 parts marked. I'd like to find out more about it. You read in a bunch of places on the web "less than 1000 made" but I don't know where that comes from. There's a pub over at Cornell Publishing on the F&H company but apparently only 4 pages are devoted to the large frame revolvers - not enough to warrant the $20 price. David Chicoine doesn't list this revolver in his Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West book but has something in American Gunsmithing on the preceding Old Model Army that I may have to buy. If anyone had heard/seen anything else, then please let me know. Thanks! John

August 20, 2011, 04:03 PM	#3
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,439	I have never seen one and only know what I read in Flayderman, which is likely the source of the "under 1000" figure. From the same source, they were made c. late 1870's to 1880's in .44 Russian, 6 1/2" barrel only. Finish was usually nickel, blue will bring premium. It also says, "The New Model is quite similar to its predecessor except for the barrel length, the adoption of a safety notch in the hammer, the use of a side-mounted ejector on barrel and frame, and the presence of an exposed type cylinder pin. This has been traditionally classified as a "Secondary Martial" although there is no substantiating evidence to indicate such [military] usage. Value Good: $1275 Fine $ 3250." I don't suppose that helps much, but it is all I have. Unfortunately, yours seems to have no finish left, which would probably put its value below even the "good" category. An interesting gun. Jim __________________ Jim K

August 20, 2011, 11:08 PM	#5
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,439	I agree it meets that antique category. And it sure is a great addition to your collection. As I said, I have never even seen one "in the steel" as it were. Congrats in finding it. Jim __________________ Jim K

August 20, 2011, 12:06 PM	#2
levallois Member Join Date: June 12, 2009 Posts: 62	Wow! 77 looks and no responses. Shows how little is known about these revolvers. I've got some repsonses elsewhere but it's pretty much the same stuff - mostly I think from the Blue Book. Another artsy-fartsy view of the revolver. I actually own a vintage holster that fits! What are the odds?

August 20, 2011, 04:52 PM	#4
levallois Member Join Date: June 12, 2009 Posts: 62	Thanks for the reply - I think Flayderman's is where everyone is getting their info on this model. I also respectively disagree with your rating of the gun - I think it falls nearest to the NRA Antique Firearms Condition rating of very good, described as: "All original parts, zero-30 percent original finish, original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp, clear lettering, numerals, and design on metal wood slightly scratched or bruised, bore disregarded." Either way, it's a keeper, as I too have never seen another in the flesh and it's a great and rare addition to my non-Colt Peacemaker old west large frame revolver collection.