S&w for review
- Thread starter chuck303
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Yes, they were mfg 1876 - 1877. Anything prior to 1898 is considered antique.
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cgt4570
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Correction! You cut off a year. Anything prior to 1899 is an antique. "Modern" firearms are made on or after Jan 1, 1899.
Anything made 'IN' 1898 or prior is an antique. It's just semantics, but it matters legally. I don't understand why so many folks use the incorrect term of 'pre-98'!
Added: The only time I've ever been officially 'published' was a letter to the editor of Guns & Ammo, (Richard Venola I think), for writing a letter calling him out on the same omission of a year.
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cgt4570
Member
It's a 1st Model. As others have pointed out, they're called Baby Russians by collectors because the use the rack and pinion extractor system like the early Russin Model .44s, with the under barrel lug. 2nd models don't have that feature. Third model have a trigger guard (except for the scarce "Mexican Model" that has a spur trigger, but the frame sides of the trigger are separate pieces. They aren't part of the forged frame).
I have examples of all 3, including a blue/walnut like pictured. I wouldn't take $400 for it because they just don't turn up often. I would probably take that for one of the nickel versions if I needed the cash.
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mmaher94087
Member
Trivia anyone? "Blue finish is less common . Wood grips came on blue guns". Both statements are true. Sixty-five hundred (6,500) were blue out of the approximately 25,000 manufactured. The trivia is that not all blue Baby Russians had wood grips/stocks. One hundred and sixty-nine (169) had pearl, ivory or black hard rubber stocks/grips.
As mentioned above.
NO it is NOT a second model.
She is a Prize of a FIRST MODEL.. a (true) Baby Russian
Here is a 2nd Model in nickel for comparison of the “under lug”
& stocks.
At that price,, buy buy buy!!
The top is a 32 ,, 3rd Model
forgive my photography
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Boulder350
Member
Even though 6500 were made in blue, not many survived compared to the nickel guns. I track the features of the baby russians to learn more about them. Right now I have info on 290 surviving guns. Of these only 27 are blue, or 9.3%. Nickel are 89% and a combo of nickel, gold, and silver are 1.7%.
As far as price, I would gladly pay double the listing the price for a blue baby russian in the condition you posted. If were at auction, I would not win the bid at $800.
If it was a blued baby russian with a 4" barrel in that condition, I would say run and buy it NOW! They are a lot harder to find than the 3 1/4" barreled guns.
As far as price, I would gladly pay double the listing the price for a blue baby russian in the condition you posted. If were at auction, I would not win the bid at $800.
If it was a blued baby russian with a 4" barrel in that condition, I would say run and buy it NOW! They are a lot harder to find than the 3 1/4" barreled guns.
Ballpark Value ,, is UNLIMITED in my opinion.
From the picture of one side of the gun this looks like a Very Good, Fine or Excellent example of a truly collectible S&W.
The bore condition,, IMO will decide the Value.
Antiques, are “graded differently than modern pistols and EVEN WITH a “poor to good” bore I BELIEVE Boulder 350 is correct, he would LOSE an auction @ $800 ,,, on THIS ONE.
This is a Prize to own. Set your (calendar) !!! And let us know when you SEE ANOTHER!!
Buy buy buy
