Wanting to get a baby Russian

Stopsign32v · #1 06-30-2018, 12:45 PM

I don't own an antique S&W but I have a bug for "old west" firearms. I figured a S&W baby Russian would be a great start for a western collection. Is there anything to know about these before I go looking for one? It was between this and a 2nd model.

mrcvs · #2 06-30-2018, 02:17 PM

In answer to your questions, here's some advice.

First, make sure you are buying a Baby Russian. The lower serial numbered second models are coincident with the first model and so these can be confused. The Baby Russian has a longer extractor housing than does the second model. How do I know this? Once when I was much younger I bought a nearly 99% revolver I and a dealer believed to be a Baby Russian. Contained a lower serial number. As I became more experienced (or, it didn't take much experience to tell the difference, it was in those days high condition guns in a small radius were uncommon), I learned (discovered!) this was a second model. At least as I became more experienced, I did not "learn" I had a refinished gun. It's still 99% condition!

The second model is worth half that of the Baby Russian. Having said that, despite somewhat iconic status, both models can be had rather cheaply, still.

Then make sure you don't have a refinish. A few posted recently for sale on the forum were refinished. But here's one I discovered for sale on the forum earlier this year that I negotiated to purchase for a reasonable price for what it is. Used but not abused...

Note that holes surrounding screws not dished from polishing...
Note the tone of a nickel finish after 140 years...
Note the line around the sideplate. Decent fit, not lack of crispness due to buffing and refinishing...
Note the hammer, barrel latch, trigger, and longitudinal inserts at cranial base of frame and in extractor housing are not nickel plated...a refinish often would contain nickeling of all components...

glowe · #3 06-30-2018, 04:26 PM

There are so many antique S&W models out there that if I had to start over and decide which model I would buy first, it would not be a spur trigger centerfire revolver. Considering price, availability, and ability to take to the shooting range often, I would be looking at a 38 Double Action revolver. They are safer to carry around, they come in barrel lengths that would have actually been in an Old West holster, parts guns are everywhere, and you can find lots of them out there in very good condition.

If you are really looking for guns that carry that old west appeal, then the Model 3 should be tops on your list. Available before the SAA Colt even came on the market, continuing to advance in design until the New Model 3 targets and Frontiers, they are truly worthy of the moniker of being an Old West Hogleg.

As for the Baby Russian, my guess is that there were more sold in New York City than in the entire old west. For me, they were a pocket gun or desk drawer gun. Nothing wrong with the 38 SA 1st and I have owned and shot quite a few plus there are dedicated collectors out there for this model, I am simply saying it would not be my pick for the quintessential Old West S&W.

Good luck in your search.

mmaher94087 · #4 06-30-2018, 08:53 PM

Stopsign32v, I think that you need to decide if you want investment quality ,shooter grade or a representative example of a nice, not perfect piece that would have possibly been used on the Western Front. I think the latter is what you are looking for. Mrcvs' picture is what I'm talking about. They are out there and will cost more and bring more money than the 2nd Model at resale time; because the Baby Russian's are not as plentiful as the 2nd's.

As far as 'anything to know'; the 4" barrel will cost more as will the amount of the original finish on the revolver. Blue examples are scarce and demand a premium as will original boxes and the scarce 'take down tool' or "wrench" as it is referred to. If anything doesn't work as it should or if anything is broken; I suggest walking away from the deal as the parts are very hard to find and usually expensive. Good luck.

Wiregrassguy · #5 07-01-2018, 07:15 AM

There are two Baby Russians up on Gunbroker right now. One is collector grade and the other shooter grade. And the difference in starting bids shows what ^others are saying.

Patbar · #6 07-02-2018, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

..........................................................
If you are really looking for guns that carry that old west appeal, then the Model 3 should be tops on your list. Available before the SAA Colt even came on the market, continuing to advance in design until the New Model 3 targets and Frontiers, they are truly worthy of the moniker of being an Old West Hogleg.

As for the Baby Russian, my guess is that there were more sold in New York City than in the entire old west. For me, they were a pocket gun or desk drawer gun. Nothing wrong with the 38 SA 1st and I have owned and shot quite a few plus there are dedicated collectors out there for this model, I am simply saying it would not be my pick for the quintessential Old West S&W.

..........................................

For my part, I believe that there were many more "pocket" type guns in the west than big guns like the S&W No 3, because while many people at the time didn't like to go out unarmed, it was not the majority of them who went around with a holster on the hip.

But anyway, among the 10 S&W's that are mine, I have 2 Baby Russian, a nickeled 4 inches and an engraved 3 1/2 inches with mother of pearl grips, and I really love them.

iby · #7 07-02-2018, 01:15 PM

crummy pics but you see why it's called a "Baby"

glowe · #8 07-02-2018, 02:50 PM

There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying 38 Single Action revolvers, BUT there were NOT many in the Old West. The population of the United States was around 50,000,000 in 1880 and there were only about 7 million people living west of the Mississippi River. The numbers themselves clearly show the propensity for many more 38 SAs in the east than the west. On the other hand, I bet most of the big Model 3s ended up in the west, since not too many eastern big cities would have tolerated holster carry in the streets, but rather pocket pistols would have ruled in the east.

If you want Old West guns, you want hoglegs not pocket pistols is all I was trying to demonstrate. The OP is free to purchase whatever he or she wants and again nothing wrong with the 38 SA.