The original 45 schofield round had a much larger rim than modern versions of it so you couldn’t load all 5 or 6 on a colt saa because the rims over lapped. You could only get 3 in there. Also older 45 colt had smaller rims compared to today and that’s another reason they probably wouldn’t work with the ejection system of the Schofield. It’s also another reason 45 colt was never chambered in a winchester lever gun at the time or even colt’s lightening pump guns. There just wasn’t enough rim there for any type of an ejection system until years later with modern versions like today. Great video. Just thought I’d add some information not in there. Someone with more knowledge than all of us could probably go on for hours.
@Soylent Green Exactly right. What is not well known is that in 1877, U.S. Ordnance modified the .45 S&W cartridge design into the ".45 Government" by reducing the rim to that of the .45 Colt, while retaining the other .45 S&W case dimensions. So from 1877 onward, the U.S. used the ".45 Government" in the Colt SA, and ceased use of the .45 Colt cartridge. The heavy load of the 45 Colt, 40 grains of black powder, launching a 255 gr bullet at ~1000 fps, kicked so hard that it was very difficult train recruits to effectively fire it. The ".45 Government" using 28 grains of powder to launch a 230 grain bullet at ~800 fps, had much less recoil and made recruit training much easier, and was the performance model used for the 45 ACP in 1911. [John Browning's original 45 ACP was a 200 grain bullet at 900 fps]. The ".45 Government" cartridge is also was the reason the name ".45 "Long" Colt" came into existence!
@@63DW89A exactly right. I always tell people the same. When I reload my 45 colt black powder rounds I use 30gr of 3f goex blackpowder under a 250gr bullet so they’re not wrist breaking like the heavy loads. Replicates what they used.
My love for old Smiths, Colts & Winchesters doesn’t match my income unfortunately. I should have been a politician, I see them going into office with nothing and leaving with everything.
Except for President Trump, who saw his net worth decline by about a billion dollars during his term. That is likely that will continue. Has a president ever given up so much to serve? Excluding those who were assassinated of course.
@@3ducs I guess you aren't counting the millions he made from tax breaks and bribes. He is a scumbag. There used to be Republicans that actually did care about the lower classes.
He started out talking about Schofields by demonstrating a #3 with the old latch, very confusing to those that don't already understand the difference.
Believe it or not, Smith & Wesson actually fulfilled an Australian contract of their New Model No. 3 revolvers. There weren't many produced, but you never know what you might find. Also, you don't have to worry about finding an item, you just have to check our listings. If it's legal for you to own, we'll get it to you.
They aren't easy to find anywhere and if you find one in good condition it will drain your bank account. If you like the historic Wild West firearms, Uberti in Italy makes quite a few models of rifles and handguns.
So the quick-and-easy identifier is, if the rear sight stays with the top frame, it's a Model 3. If the sight stays with the bottom frame, it's a Schofield?
Yes. Kind of. Eventually S&W didn't want to pay Schofield for his patent so they moved the latch back to the barrel. The new models were cleverly titled... New Model No. 3. It replaced the Americans, Russians, and Schofields in 1878. So if No. 3 latch is on the barrel, it could be one of several models (No 3 Russian, American, New Model, etc), but if the latch is on the frame, it's a Schofield.
The 2nd Russian Model had the hook on the trigger guard. This pistol can be reloaded by tucking it under the left arm. Maj. Gen. Schofield was never paid any royalties. He was threatened with a court martial if he did. The US Army tested a few. The ammo problem killed the deal. Also why very few were sold on the civilian market. Dan Wesson wanted to be the only supplier.
I humble myself as not a gun expert or historian, but, I thought the first gun was not a Schofield because it was Major Schofield who suggested the upgrade of the thumb latch.
If I remember correctly they would hold six rounds but because of the lack of safety some people would only carry five in it unless they were going to war