My “Rarest”, not my oldest top-break, but I feel it deserves recognition.
.38 Single Action Mexican Model (Model 1880).
The serial number is 18691, 4” barrel, blued, narrow .197” trigger, factory installed lanyard ring. All numbers match, frame, barrel, cylinder, latch & inside right grip panel.
This revolver was first examined by several S&W Collectors Association members including Roy Jinks in 1991 at the Scottsdale, Arizona symposium.
On May 20, 1992 I was issued a factory letter from Roy Jinks stating my revolver was shipped from the factory on October 17, 1899 and delivered to Max Fielder (Russian agent in St. Petersburg, Russia). He also stated “Your revolver is one of the original Mexican Models.”
A factory letter is a must to verify an example to be authentic and not a standard .38 SA Third Model converted with a factory conversion kit also sold by the factory.
Attached is a few photos along with the 2nd page of the factory letter.
Dave
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