1st Model 38 single action Baby Russian Box.

Bent-Twig · #1 02-19-2011, 04:17 PM

Hey Folks.

Found this box at a antique bottle show and had to bring it home. I think it is a 1st model Baby Russian box. I am guessing in the late 1870's. A little dirty but all corners are solid not torn and the divider is in it and the little tool. I would immagine the label could be cleaned up a bit but I will leave that to the experts. It is stamped Nickle Plated and the serial number is written on the inside and appears to be 18390. It also has a red notation added to the inner label about having the barrel catch down in its place. Anyway, the usual question....what is this box worth ? If anyone is looking for such an item let me know. I would immagine they are quite hard to find. I have been looking for a 1920's 6"M&P box and they made a boat load of that gun and still have not found one. So I was a bit suprised to find a S&W box almost 140 years old at a bottle show.

Twig.

Bent-Twig · #2 02-19-2011, 04:19 PM

a few more pictures.

alaskavett · #3 02-19-2011, 05:02 PM

I have no idea as to value, but it is such a cool find. You never know what or what you will find. Kyle

Dosgatos · #4 02-19-2011, 06:27 PM

I think you are correct about it being a Baby Russian box - page 80 of SCSW shows the same box. Boxes for later model top-breaks have been selling on eBay for $75-125. I would imagine yours might bring more than that, even with the rough condition.

Masterpiece · #5 02-19-2011, 07:05 PM

Hi,
Super Find!! A Very Rare Box indeed let alone with the Original Wrench still surviving!! The Box itself is worth "Considerably" more than the Later Top-Break Boxes even without the Wrench!! If your desire is to sell it I wouldn't make any attempt to "Freshen-Up" the Box until you hear back from some of the other Members. I'm sure you're going to have quite a bit of interest from the "Baby Russian" Collectors in a very short time when the news get around!! Makes me want to go looking for a "Baby Russian" again!!

Bent-Twig · #6 02-20-2011, 01:25 AM

Thank You, and yes , it will be for sale. I was shocked to see the wrench in there too.

Twig.

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterpiece

Hi,
Super Find!! A Very Rare Box indeed let alone with the Original Wrench still surviving!! The Box itself is worth "Considerably" more than the Later Top-Break Boxes even without the Wrench!! If your desire is to sell it I wouldn't make any attempt to "Freshen-Up" the Box until you hear back from some of the other Members. I'm sure you're going to have quite a bit of interest from the "Baby Russian" Collectors in a very short time when the news get around!! Makes me want to go looking for a "Baby Russian" again!!

opoefc · #7 02-20-2011, 01:34 AM

Super rare find! I would not be suprised to see it bring 4 figures on EBay! Or even more if you split them up! Ed.

dogngun · #8 02-20-2011, 12:35 PM

torn in 2 corners and had been "fixed" with black electrical tape. Asking price was $65, back in the mid 1980's...I went back later and was told it had been sold.
I had the gun, and I still wonder it if would have been worth the money.

mark

Oscar Zulu · #9 02-20-2011, 01:39 PM

Don't listen to them! What you need to do is find a Baby Russian to fill it!
OZ

Bent-Twig · #10 02-21-2011, 05:44 PM

That is a tempting thought , but I think it will be better suited in the hands of a Baby Russian collector. But it is very tempting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscar Zulu

Don't listen to them! What you need to do is find a Baby Russian to fill it!
OZ

Bent-Twig · #11 02-23-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opoefc

Super rare find! I would not be suprised to see it bring 4 figures on EBay! Or even more if you split them up! Ed.

Would you consider E-Bay the best resource for selling this item?

Thanks Twig.

Club Gun Fan · #12 02-23-2011, 09:11 PM

No,
I think the idea of finding a Baby Russian for sale is a great idea.
It so happens I have several for sale.

Bent-Twig · #13 02-24-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

No,
I think the idea of finding a Baby Russian for sale is a great idea.
It so happens I have several for sale.

Well dont be stingy!! Show'em off!! How bout some pictures of a nickle one please. Would love to see one with a serial number close to the box.
Twig.

twaits · #14 02-25-2011, 02:58 PM

I think I would go Gunbroker on this one. If you are not in a hurry to sell it put a high reserve on it and see what happens. You will find more collectors on there looking for this type of thing. I think it's going to bring some pretty decent money. If I had a baby russian I know I would want it. For it's age I think it's in outstanding condition.

CFP1923 · #15 09-04-2014, 08:56 AM

I have a Baby Russian and it needs a box. I dont know the value of your box but I am interested.

Shooting Padre · #16 09-04-2014, 09:32 AM

So, 140 years ago this guy wanders into a bar to celebrate his new purchase of a Baby Russian and finds himself short on cash.....

mmaher94087 · #17 09-04-2014, 10:28 AM

I realize this is an old thread but I thought I'd throw out some numbers for those that have a box to sell or for those interested in purchasing one. These numbers are already a few years old. The tool alone can bring $400. The box $1-2,000. and condition is everything.

twaits · #18 09-04-2014, 09:12 PM

What is the wrench for? I had a Baby Russian that I sold recently but I can't figure out what that wrench would be for.

mmaher94087 · #19 09-04-2014, 09:53 PM

The wrench was for the removal of the extractor from the cylinder.

mrcvs · #20 11-27-2019, 09:08 PM

In 2011 to 2014, the original Baby Russian Box in decent condition was valued at 1-2K and the original wrench at $400. What is an approximate valuation in today's market, as the antique Smith & Wesson revolvers, Baby Russians included, have fluctuated as of late?

Dosgatos · #21 11-28-2019, 02:21 PM

The box and wrench are easily worth $1,000, maybe more to the right buyer who has to have them for their Baby Russian. The wrench is unobtainium and particularly hard to find. I found mine box at an auction along with a couple of other guns which I resold - ended up costing me $200 for the box.

mrcvs · #22 11-28-2019, 05:42 PM

Okay, so a decent box is still worth that kind of money. I suspected as such, but I am aware of two decent boxes having sold in this range, and one with the tool as well. The amazing thing is that they actually included the Baby Russian revolver as well, a museum quality nickel finish revolver, and early as well; and a blued finish gun in average condition with wooden stocks. I guess bargains still are out there. You just have to find them.

Joe Canuck · #23 12-04-2019, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent-Twig

Well dont be stingy!! Show'em off!! How bout some pictures of a nickle one please. Would love to see one with a serial number close to the box.
Twig.

If you can find my album, check out the pics of my nickel Baby Russian with an English Wooden Box. My serial number is a too low for this box, but, any S&W box would be nice to find.

Driftwood Johnson · #24 12-06-2019, 01:04 PM

Howdy

I paid $800 for this Baby Russian. It came with the box. Interesting to note that M.W. Robinson, the distributor is marked on the box. Nope, no tool, just the revolver and the box.

mrcvs · #25 12-07-2019, 08:57 AM

Driftwood,

When was that purchase made, and any additional details you wish to provide?

That's a really nice nickeled Baby Russian that comes attached to a very nice box.

SRT · #26 12-14-2019, 02:05 AM

Page 93 of the 4th Edition of the Standard Catalog of S&W states, "Original picture box alone worth $1,000 to $2,000." Remember, this was S&W's very first picture box.

The wrench/screwdriver combo would add another $400 or so.

I have a 95% plus first-year Baby Russian in nickel, complete with an extraordinary picture box with divider, wrench/screwdriver combo, and twisted wire cleaning rod. If separated, there is no doubt in my mind that the box and accessories would sell for much more that the revolver alone.

Congratulations on your purchase. Ya done good, real good!