An old pistol given to me by a friend to see if it could be rescued. Cheap chrome plated. Once dipped in rust remover when pulled and wiped off there is no longer any markings that are complete. In addition the hammer/trigger springs fell out. I need help on i.d. and how to reassemble.
It is a .38 special with a 4” barrel. It does not have a removable sideplate. It had a one piece black rubber grip with a single screw midway down the grip. The big screw on the side drops the trigger out. I was told it was most probably a Spanish or Brazilian S&W cheap copy.
It has extreme sentimental value for my friend or I wouldn’t have invested my time. Picture included. Thank you!

Attached Images

Old pistol.jpg (27.8 KB, 177 views)

Not a S&W for sure. Can’t tell from your one pic if you have all the parts, and since it’s NOT a Smith, couldn’t help with reassembly anyway. I don’t think it’s worth the effort to make whole.


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Looks like an old Spanish "copy" of a S&W. Most of these use a V-type mainspring that operates the hammer, trigger return and the cylinder hand. Seen on some other European revolvers as well, similar to a Colt but the colt uses a rebound bar powered by the lower leg of the spring and over the years I have encountered exactly one Spanish gun with the Colt type rebound bar.

The bad news is that one looks like the spring has broken and without a replacement spring it's not going back together. Finding a spring would be difficult at best and due to the amount of hand fitting in these guns it might not fit anyway. ............ If the owner has a sentimental attachment it might be best to offer to make a shadow box display out of it. I have done a couple of those, adding pictures or something else important to the owner to keep as a memento.