Model 2 and a gunsmith

Mossy Pops · #1 09-27-2014, 08:06 AM

I picked up a Model 2 at an auction about 6 weeks ago. It's most likely been re-blued sometime and the hand spring was broken. The cover plate screw was a little buggered up as well and to tight for my meager skills to loosen without probable further damage. I know enough to know that I was not going to find anything I could probably fix under the plate anyway so I did what any intelligent Smith owner would do, I came to this forum and searched for Gunsmith threads.

The go to guy in the past seemed to be Dave Chicoine & Son. I saw that he was not really the greatest of communicator but tried to contact him anyway. After no responses in a couple weeks I went the Google route looking for a real gunsmith willing to take on one of these old antiques. I found Jerry Kelley at Full Metal Gunsmith
Gunsmith Services, Rifle And Pistol Accurizing - Fullmetal Gunsmith - Melbourne, Fl.

Jerry advertised that he would work on old S&W's (only S&W) and when I emailed, he replied in a day. He was willing to have a look so off my little pistol went. In a week he had inspected and evaluated the gun and that the hand spring was indeed broken and that he would have to fabricate one. One week later he had fixed the hand spring and also fabricated a hammer fly spring that was also broken. A $200 payment was made and back came my pistol. It looked good and functioned properly when I received it and was ready for a test firing.

Last night I put 10 rounds through it and it functions flawlessly. I would heartily recommend that anyone looking for a true gunsmith with the ability to work on their Smith check Jerry out. Great guy to deal with and really prompt as well.

As far as shooting my Model 2 goes, its just cool to shoot an old firearm like that. Jerry warned me that the gun is 130 years old and sort of delicate so I should go easy on the range time. No problem there. I probably won't shoot more than 50 rounds a year, if that. Coincidentally, that description was a pretty close to describing my shooting buddy. He failed to see the humor in that though.

Couple of pictures attached. One with a great grand child of the model 2.

glowe · #2 09-27-2014, 09:04 AM

Good story and a great ending. The revolver is actually named 38 Double Action, Third or Fourth Model. The serial number would tell which model. These two models ran from 1884 to 1909, so it could be an antique of a modern firearm as classified by the BATF. It does have shims in the cylinder stops, so it is before serial number 525,000. These guns will handle any standard manufactured 38 S&W ammo without problem, but your gunsmith is correct, parts can break and finding replacements is getting very hard. Many collectors now buy well worn and broken guns just for the parts.

The Model 2 was either a 32 rimfire tip-up, or a spur trigger 38 Single Action revolver.

DWalt · #3 09-27-2014, 11:22 AM

I was also going to say that what you are calling a Model 2 is really a .38 Double Action. There were over a half-million of these made in five different models, and they are fairly common. The BATFE Antique cutoff (pre-1899) SN is 382,002 for the .38 DA. That is in the fourth model range. I have been shooting one for many years, and it's still soldiering on. You will enjoy shooting it more with a pair of larger grips. Here's mine. Don't laugh.

Mossy Pops · #4 09-27-2014, 06:55 PM

Thanks guys for the model clarification. It is indeed a .38 double action 3rd model. SN is 264324.