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Original Marketing Name from S&W

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Fri, 07/07/2017 - 00:33
jlitz
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Joined: 07/06/2017

Hello,
I have a hardback copy of Single Action Sixguns and I have done other research but I am left with a question I need answered if anyone has the historical material to answer it.
What was the original name for S&W's Model 3 American? Did they even call it the Model 3 at the time? I am doubting they originally called it the American either because that distinction would only be necessary once they produced the Russian.
I believe I read somewhere that the "Model 3" designation was given to it retroactively.  The problem is, everything I read is from our retrospective view and not from the 1869-70 or even mid-1870's marketing view.
If anyone has a definitive answer I would greatly appreciate it and if you have any images of original marketing materials or catalogs, that would be great.
If you are curious as to why I ask, I have fictional character who carried one and then later added a Schofield. I try my best to keep my history accurate and my names and phrasing, period correct.
Thank you,
Jason Litz

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Fri, 07/07/2017 - 05:12
#1
admin
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Joined: 07/07/2010
Hello, Jason, Welcome to the forum

Hopefully someone will come along and answer.  If that doesn't work, try S&W forum, or use the guest book to send a message to Mr Taffin. If you have any short stories, we have a place on Sixguns.com for guest writers.
 Al

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Fri, 07/07/2017 - 07:53
#2
SIXGUNNER
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Joined: 08/07/2010
S&W AMERICAN

Was originally known as "Model Three" or "#3" . When chambered in 44 Henry  it was known as "#3 R.F." and when the Russian chambering arrived it was known as "Russian Model". See the book "Smith & Wesson American Model" by Charles W. Pate   

SIXGUNNER

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Fri, 07/07/2017 - 10:50
#3
jlitz
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Joined: 07/06/2017
Thank you

Thank you both for the quick responses.  I've been referring to it as the Model 3.  I wonder if I should spell it out, "Model Three" as you did, SIXGUNNER?  This latest story is set in 1880 so I am going to have one character at the end, refer to it as the "original American model" as he distinguishes it from the others. As a matter of fact, I am writing that chapter today and it is my last chapter!  Going to go back through it all now and clean it up, correct what my editor found and see if I can get a publisher or agent interested. Al, I've written a couple of short stories over the years but they were not Western related. Writing, as you probably know, is like a second job that for a long time does not pay, if ever. I keep focused on the novel length stories I want to complete.  This one is number two. My first was an epic and is too long to get a publisher interested as a author's first novel, so I self published it. 
Sorry, I ramble. I don't speak about my books to many people because I don't want anyone to think I am a pretentious ____.   Thank you both again.  I am going to look up that book on the American Model right now.
Jason Litz

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