Smith & Wesson New Model No.3 .44 S&W Russian (AH3689)

Smith & Wesson New Model No.3 .44 S&W Russian caliber revolver. Factory letter states that this revolver was shipped August 12 1896 to Takata & Co. of Yokohama, Japan. Agents for the Japanese government. Note: this revolver is a smooth bore and appears to be factory quality work. The letter does not mention smooth bore. Gun has 90-92% blue with scattered nicks and dings, all minor. Action works perfectly. Note: There are no Japanese military marks, but Takata was the agent for the Government. Japanese citizens could not own guns; the privilege was reserved only for military and government official. We believe this gun was made smooth bore as a special order. Additionally, the gun has no Meiji registration marks as required by Japanese law at the time. This is further evidence that someone of special influence ordered this revolver.