I know almost next to nothing about old firearms, but I have my great grandfathers old pistol. I've attached some photos.
The serial number on the butt is 12057
I believe it is a 38 caliber, but I am not sure.
The barrel length is 4"
sights are fixed.

The top of the barrel is inscribed with "Smith&Wesson Springfield Mass USA PAT'D Jan 17&24, 65 July 11, 65 Aug 24,69 Jan 19, 1875 Reissue July 25 1871.

Attached Images

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First, welcome to the S&W forum. You have a neat old revolver with a family history. Priceless!

Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert on the early S&W revolvers, or anything else. Other smarter people may be along shortly with a different opinion based on facts rather than my conjecture.

I think what you have is a .38 Single action, 1st Model (a.k.a. "Baby Russian"). The serial number range for this model is 1 - 25548 with all manufactured c. 1868 -1877. This may be a Model No. 2 1st Model because the ejector housing is shorter than the "Baby Russian." Your gun was originally nickel plated as evidenced by the remaining traces of nickel. Nickel was more common in this era because is was more resistant to corrosion than the blued finish. The checkered hard rubber grips are probably original and were furnished with the nickel plated revolvers.

Well,
The serial number given falls in the 38 SA 1st Model (Baby Russian) range, but the barrel is definitely not a Baby Russian. It could be from a 2nd Model or even from one of the Double Action Top Breaks.
Check the serials between the "ears" on the barrel extension (see below) and on the rear face of the cylinder.

__________________
Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

That is a neat old pistol. It is not a Baby Russian. It is a 2nd Model. Mfg from 1877- 1891. Total 1- 108,255. The one in the Thread has the short housing under the barrel. The Baby had the long housing.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

OOPS! Right! .38 SA 2nd Model.. (I forgot that unlike the DA's, the SA's started the serials over with each Model change....)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Thanks for all the help! My next question would be what are the thoughts on cleaning / possibly restoring? the weapon and then possibly actually firing the pistol.

Restoration will lower the value. Cleaning (which I define as removing dust, dirt, old lubricants, etc) is probably justified, but these old guns have pins and springs that aren't always easy to remove, and whoever does it needs to make sure he/she has the right tools and skills. Lots of good guns have been damaged by good intentions.

I don't shoot my antiques as a matter of principle, but many do. .38 S&W (shorter than .38 Special) isn't cheap but it's still available.

Mike

Hello Jabul, clean with a rag and oil. No steel wool or wire brushes, pls.
Restore? Why? But, its your gun, do as you want. I said, neat old gun.
Best

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

DONT ATTEMPT TO USE MODERN (OFF THE SHELF) AMMO IN IT!!!

This Gun was made a good 20 years before Nitro Powder was used in S&W Pistols and your Gun was not made to withstand the Pressures generated by Nitro Powder. If you want to shoot it; use Reloaded 38S&W with Black Powder or Pyrodex and soft Lead Bullets. Modern Ammo - even the so called 'Cowboy' loads are not good for a Gun of this era. Fine is Guns made after 1896 but not in the 1870s. Nice little 2nd Model btw.

I've gotten (figuratively) bludgeoned for telling people not to shoot their pre-1896 Smith & Wessons. There's some pretty strong opinions on this that will undoubtedly find their way here shortly.

I don't shoot my antiques as a matter of principle ... I'm a historian and a curator of (what to me are very precious) artifacts and I don't like the idea of exposing them to ballistic pressures, which pretty much contradicts every good archival practice.

But, that's just me.

Mike