.38 S.A. Model of 91 Mexican Model

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dltvette

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I thought I would share a rather rare model of the .38 Single Action Third Model (Model of 1891). This is a .38 S.A. Mexican Model, serial no. 18691, 4" barrel, with a factory installed lanyard ring, flat sided hammer with no half cock notch, inserted spur trigger not integral to the frame, and barrel marked, SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. MODEL OF 91 PAT'D. APR.20.75. FEB.20 & DEC.18.77. MAY11.80. All parts including the right grip is marked 18691. The serial number on the butt only shows the first 2 digits 18, and as the factory letter states, when factory lanyard rings are installed through the butt serial number, the factory re-stamped the number on the left side of the frame under the left grip.
There were two sizes of trigger widths, a narrow .197" and a wide .255" installed on the Mexican model. This one has the narrow .197" trigger.
It is unknown of exactly how many factory Mexican Models were manufactured, but an estimate of roughly 2,000 are noted.
S&W did offer a kit to convert a standard Model of 91 with trigger guard to the spur trigger configuration or visa-versa.
As this factory letter states, this is an original Mexican Model shipped from the factory on October 17, 1899 & delivered to Max Fiedler (Russian agent in St. Petersburg, Russia).
Dave
 

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Dave,

I love these old revolvers and especially the Mexican Model '91. I've had a lingering question about the hammers. As stated, "..flat sided hammer with no half cock notch.." but is it the rebounding type? I can spot a 'converted' (ie. flanged hammer spur) but I've not read an answer to my rebounding question and I've shied away from a few because of this (and a few horror stories I've heard). Mike #283
 
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Mike,
I'm not sure if I can answer your question. I have not disassembled it to see exactly how it works. I can bring it to K.C. in june and you can take it apart if you like.
In the Book 4 of the S&WCA Journals pages 1007 - 1012, R.J. Neal has an article titled, The Mexican - An S&W Mystery Model. He states the third model introduced the rebounding lock to the .38 single action line, thus adding a significant safety feature. With this feature the hammer would always rest in the safety notch position except when released from full cock position to fire.
Then he talks about the Mexican Model and the Latin countries wanting the spur trigger design instead of the bow trigger guard design. So S&W designed a spur trigger guard to replace the bow type on the Third Model .38 Single Action. Along with this, a matching trigger was needed. An old-style hammer with the narrow thumb surface was added and the resulting revolver looked very much like the Second Model .38 Single Action as intended. The half cock notch was omitted on the hammer.
I'm sure you already know all of this and I probably didn't answer anything for you. In 1991, in Scottsdale, AZ, Roy & several others took it apart to see if it was a real Mexican Model and agreed it was. In 1992 I had it lettered.
Hope to see you in K.C.
Dave
 
Have never seen one like this. Very interesting. Thanks for posting.
 
Great piece and a very nice factory letter from Roy.
I am bringing my combination set to KC. It too, has a spur trigger added. You can take it apart as well. By the way, it is for sale.
 
Sounds great Don, looking forward to seeing your combination set.
Here are a few more photos.
Dave
 

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Dave,

I don't think I/we can make KC this time. In the meantime, if you pull the trigger, can you then move the hammer forward a bit and when (still with the trigger pulled) you let the forward pressure off the hammer does it rebound from the fired position?

I've encountered Mexican Models with (I think) correct flat sided, non-half cock hammers BUT one had the rebounding hammer and one did not (ie. the hammer stayed in the fired position with the firing pin protruding through the frame). Because of this, I didn't purchase either one. Mike #283
 
Thanks for posting the pics...I have been a fan of the S&W .38 SA's for almost 40 years, since I bought a First and a Second model together for $180. I have 2 First Models right now, but I have never seen a Mexican Model in the flesh. I will know to use great caution should I ever see one for sale.

Thanks again!

mark
 
Mark, you are welcome. I am happy to share it with you and with collectors that appreciate the S&W .38 S.A. revolvers.
This was found in 1972 at Simms Hardware Co. in Sacramento, CA. They went out of business in 1988.
Thanks for showing interest and appreciation.
Dave
 

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