peashooter85:The Smith and Wesson Model 3 Australian,In 1880 the South Australian Police sought turn
peashooter85:The Smith and Wesson Model 3 Australian,In 1880 the South Australian Police sought turned to Smith and Wesson for a new model of revolver to replace older and outdated firearms. The revolver designed for them was a variant of the Smith and Wesson Model 3 called the Model 3 Australian. The Model 3 Australian was similar to the American New Model No. 3, except the South Australian Police requested three major changes. First the Australian was to use a 7 inch long barrel. Secondly the Australian was mounted with rubber grips. Finally the Australian was issued with a detachable buttstock so that the revolver could be used as a handy carbine. They were produced in .44 Russian. 250 such revolvers were produced for and purchased by the South Australian Police. Due to the popularity of the revolvers, the Northern Territory Mounted Police and Western Australia Police also purchased their own orders. -- source link