This has been in the family a long time and whoever once knew its story is now long gone. I'm trying to find out when it was made, or any other information on it. It hasn't been fired in living memory, either.

Besides the info shown in the photos, the serial number is 191XX.

Welcome to the Forum. Your S&W is a .38 Single Action, 1st model, more commonly known as a "Baby Russian, a very popular model with S&W collectors. It is chambered in .38 S&W, a black powder round. The gun was made in 1877. It's very nice that you have the original box, as they are seldom found and are worth as much as the gun by themselves. A great family heirloom. Ed.

That box looks to be in superb condition! Congratulations. An original set should also contain a small flat combination wrench and screwdriver. A very nice heirloom that should be treasured.

Here is one posting on the forum showing what the wrench looks like, there may be others 1st Model 38 single action Baby Russian Box.

Thanks for the information!

The box does contain a small tool, an open-end wrench on one end and a flat-blade screwdriver on the other. It fits a variety of screws on the pistol; so far I haven't figured out what the wrench is for. There are also two wire brushes and a twisted-copper handle for cleaning patches. The brushes look to be of post-WWI vintage but the copper handle may be original.

I understand the grips on this model are variable in color. These are chocolate-brown.

I'm also interested in knowing proper care... given its age, should it be cleaned and oiled like any normal black powder revolver, or are there additional precautions?

Grendel57, welcome to the forum. I will add the fact that your revolver has a four inch barrel. That barrel length is rather scarce and the 4" box is even more rare. It's difficult to discern the original finish as it appears to have turned brown. If it was blue; that's scarce too. As for the care, run a lightly oiled swab down the barrel and charge holes of the cylinder. Wipe down the exterior with a lightly oiled cloth. I would not recommend storing the revolver in the box as the acids in the box will affect the finish. Also, any residual oil will stain the box. If you decide to store them together then get some acid-free paper from an art store and line the box bottom.

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Mike Maher #283

Good advice from Mike. The little open end wrench screw driver is a seldom found original accessory. The wrench end is for disassembling the extractor mechanism in the cylinder. You will note the extractor rod is square and fits the wrench. You can obtain a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks, Factory Historian, for $50 that will tell you when, where and to whom the gun was shipped by S&W. There's a link on this Forum, and on the S&W factory web site, to the application form for the letter. Mostly likely it was shipped to a S&W distributor, not to an individual, however having the letter with the gun will help future family descendants understand the history of the gun. Good Luck, Ed.