The Russian Czar took a liking to it so S&W sold a boatload of them to the Russians who promptly started producing knock offs and sold them all over Europe. The general term for the model 3 used by the people on the frontier was the Russian. From what I’ve read lawmen generally carried the colt peacemaker with the Russian as a backup rather than the primary weapon.
“...S&W sold a boatload of them to the Russians who promptly started producing knock offs...general term for the model 3 used by the people on the frontier was the Russian...lawmen generally carried the colt peacemaker with the Russian as a backup rather than the primary weapon.” [Georgia Girl 2, post 28]
No matter who was in charge, the Russians have been remarkably free in producing knockoffs when it has suited.
By production totals if nothing else, S&W’s No. 3 certainly earned the title “Russian.” I’ll defer to your expertise on what users called them within the USA. And as for primary/backup choices, I’ve never read a word.
From what I’ve read, collectors have come up with nomenclature for variants. Hence complex monikers such as “Model No. 3 Third Model Russian.” I think I recall seeing that in _Smith & Wesson 1857-1945_ by Neal & Jinks.
If I can remember their manufacturing history accurately, S&W did not bring out a solid-frame double action handgun until 1893 or so.