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Old 03-03-2013, 10:19 PM
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Default My first Antique - A Baby Russian

This is my first foray into the antique arena, so be gentle if I misspeak.

If I read my Neil and Jinks correctly I have a late model 38 Single Action First Model (Model No. 2 First Model) AKA - The Baby Russian.

I found this at the local police supply shop in the display case of forgotten caliber guns. Mostly pre war .25 ACP and other odd ball things. I was surprised to find it and in what appears to me to be pretty decent condition for a 136 year old firearm. The barrel and charging holes are bright and clean. The nickle is showing some small boogers here and there. A couple in the cylinder flutes and a little freckling on the sides. Only one of the screws is slightly buggered, the others don't appear to have ever been touched. The barrel is perfect. The grips are numbered in pencil to the gun and appear to be perfect. The serial number is 2366x.

I would appreciate any comments from those with more knowledge on these guns.

It looks like I need to work on my picture taking of nickel guns. Sorry for the poor photography.

[I posted better pictures in post #7]







Thanks for any insight you can offer.
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Old 03-03-2013, 11:58 PM
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If I read my Neil and Jinks correctly I have a late model 38 Single Action First Model (Model No. 2 First Model) AKA - The Baby Russian.
Dave,

You most certainly read your Neal & Jinks correctly & that's one Fine "Baby Russian" you've stumbled across!!

Hard to believe it's survived in that condition considering the only ammo at the time was Black Powder!! Now comes the "Hard" Part...finding a Box & Combination Tool/Wrench!!

One more thing...is it a 3 1/4" or 4" Barrel as it's hard to get a good read on it by the angle the photos were taken from?? Looks as though it may be a 4" is why I asked!!

By the way, that's also an Interesting Box of 38 Special Cartridges in the background as well!!
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Old 03-04-2013, 12:16 AM
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Thanks for the comments.

It is 3 1/4".

The ammo was a gift from a friend today. It is from the International Cartridge Company, Germany. The red stamp across the top reads "Smokeless Metal Points". On the side it has .38 S. & W. Spezial Center Fire. I have never seen Special spelled with a Z before, must be a German thing. Just missing 5 rounds.
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Old 03-04-2013, 08:13 AM
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It is 3 1/4".
Dave,

Thanks, after studying a little closer I thought I may have been off on my assumption!! Those Long Ejector Housings get me every time...Ha!!~Ha!! Again, that's an Outstanding Condition "Baby Russian"!! Enjoy!!

Also, I think you're right about "Spezial" being a German, or at least a European thing, as I've seen other Early European .38 Special Ammo Boxes spelled the same way on the Side Bands "Only"!! Of Course, maybe they just misspelled it...Ha!!~Ha!! No matter, it's still an Interesting .38 Special Ammo Box!!
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Old 03-04-2013, 12:27 PM
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Nice find! I hope the addiction continues. To keep that one company, you'll need a 4", a Blue one, an early one with the Aldrich screw and maybe an engraved Baby Russian.. that's in addition to the picture box and the 'wrench' mentioned above. Mike #283
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Old 03-04-2013, 01:44 PM
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To keep that one company, you'll need a 4", a Blue one, an early one with the Aldrich screw and maybe an engraved Baby Russian.. that's in addition to the picture box and the 'wrench' mentioned above. Mike #283
C'mon Mike, at least give him a chance to find the Picture Box & Wrench first before he goes hunting for the others now that he's addicted as that's going to be a trick in itself...Ha!!~Ha!!

Dave, to that I'll have to add a "Good Luck & Happy Hunting" as your "Baby" sure deserves to have them!!
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Old 03-04-2013, 03:39 PM
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Nice find! I hope the addiction continues. To keep that one company, you'll need a 4", a Blue one, an early one with the Aldrich screw and maybe an engraved Baby Russian.. that's in addition to the picture box and the 'wrench' mentioned above. Mike #283
Well hopefully I can find a 4" blued one with an Aldrich screw, in a picture box with the tool. One stop shopping so to speak. Can someone post a picture of both a proper box (the Neil & Jinks photo is B&W) and the proper tool?

I don't think the first pictures were representative on the gun, not intentional, just my poor photography skills. I attempted to rectify that today. Here is a fresh set of pictures:











In an attempt to show the flaws in the finish I captured these two images. As these things go, these images make the flaws look worse than they are, but at least they are visible.



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Old 03-04-2013, 09:36 PM
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Minor flaws! That is a beautiful Baby Russian - I'm jealous!
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Old 03-05-2013, 07:38 AM
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Great looking gun. Really nice grips. The ones on mine are kinda faded and green looking.
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Old 03-06-2013, 10:45 PM
mmaher94087 mmaher94087 is offline
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"Can someone post a picture of both a proper box (the Neil & Jinks photo is B&W) and the proper tool?"

Yes. But I'll be dipped in .. If I can figure out how to post the pictures on this forum I will. I've been trying but I'm so challenged that I'd qualify as one of Jerry's kids. Dang!, this is very frustrating for a computer illeterate. I'll sleep on it and try this again tomorrow. BTW, my IQ is well above the norm but this has me wondering.. I wouldn't join Mensa as they are snobs in my opinion. Mike #283
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Old 03-08-2013, 02:23 PM
mmaher94087 mmaher94087 is offline
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Take two: "Can someone post a picture of both a proper box (the Neil & Jinks photo is B&W) and the proper tool?"

Please see the Pictures and Album link at the top. This would not have been possible without the help of Dave AKA 45Wheelgun. Thank you. Mike #283
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Old 03-09-2013, 10:27 AM
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Here are the pictures of Mike's amazing Baby Russian Box:









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Old 03-09-2013, 08:29 PM
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45Wheelgun, last week I was looking at a Baby Russian that is in almost that nice condition,but not quite...they were asking almost $900 for it... I did think about it, but decided to pass. Yours is one of the cleanest I have seen.
Congratulations!

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Old 03-10-2013, 05:07 PM
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This late issue Baby came to me in a green cloth box, which I believe is the standard box for the 2nd Model. My seller swore the box was original to the gun. Can anybody confirm that the last of the 1st Models were in fact shipped in these boxes in stead of the picture boxes?


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Old 03-11-2013, 04:49 PM
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I can't answer your question, but I love your photograph. That is a very cool box of ammo. Can you tell me more about it?

The postcard of Sitting Bull(?) and Custer is pretty cool as well.
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Old 03-11-2013, 08:21 PM
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BRush,

I can't confirm your question, however, the 2nd Model, 2nd Issues were in a green box (as you stated) but they had an oval label affixed to the top with a 'cut' (engraving/picture) of the 2,2; similar to that of the cut of the Baby Russian. "Most" of these boxes that I've observed over the last 50+ years are missing the label. What box S&W used is anyone's guess but we know S&W never wasted anything. Mike #283
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