"Baby Russian" distinguishing features

[Teddydog]

I have seen descriptions of the "Baby Russian" single action .38 S&W revolver indicating that they have a longer ejector housing under the barrel and an "unfluted barrel".

The long ejector housing is easy to spot, but I have no idea what is meant by "unfluted barrel". I have seen one description go so far as to misidentify a gun as a Second Model because it has rifling in the barrel!

Is "unfluted barrel" actually a thing with Baby Russians, or is that a mistake that has been repeated often?

Rob

 

[glowe]

They did not have an unfluted cylinder. This is another example of confusing the Model 2 Tip-Up for the 38 Single Action revolver. Some people still call the 38 SA a Model 2, which it is not. Back in 1880, this was called a New Model 38, No.2, which was truncated into just Model 2 in later years.

The Model 2 Tip-Up has an unfluted cylinder, while the 38 Single Action, 1st Model has a long ejector housing.

 

[mmaher94087]

Glowe's information is correct. The nomenclature of parts is sometimes different due to the region that an add originated or where one lives. I have seen a cylinder called a barrel (the shape?) and also a drum. Then there are stocks (factory lingo), grips and handles. Ask questions if answering an add.

 

[BMur]

Perception

Agreed with all posted.

However, there is another factor that collectors of antique firearms already clearly understand. Whereas those who don't actually collect antiques only look to different forms of literature to distinguish between various models. Which can actually be deceiving.

If one was to research patents? That's a mess. Especially patent drawings. Often the final product only resembles the original Patent drawing. Even the title can change. Originally titled the "Model of 1874". Which I also personally like a lot.

Some actually designed and drawn with unfluted cylinders were manufactured with fluted cylinders. Or have features that were actually changed prior to production.

I really like the original Patent drawing of the Baby Russian with "full length" ejector housing and unfluted cylinder. Too bad that design was changed. NOT that I don't like the model or final product. One of my personal favorites but that drawing is a very good-looking revolver in my opinion.


Murph

 

[Teddydog]

The descriptions I'm talking about are not "unfluted CYLINDER", but "unfluted BARREL".


rob

 

[BMur]

Being kind

The description " Unfluted Barrel " makes no sense. There are no flutes on the barrel. The top break barrel on Smith & Wesson revolvers are " Ribbed" not fluted or lacking there of.

A flute is a machined cut-out between chambers of a revolver cylinder. It was a " Style" or design that was common during that era.

One could also state " Unfluted bore". Meaning a smooth bore by removing the rifling. However, that statement is not accurate nor is it a correct identifier. The correct statement would simply be " Smooth bore". Which means lacking machined rifling.

Perhaps this person was attempting to state that the barrel was shot-out by saying it was Unfluted or lacking rifling. I've seen a few shot-out bores but to say they are Unfluted is also not correct.

The correct description would be the barrel rifling is heavily worn or shot-out.



Murph

 

[Teddydog]

It isn't just one person. I have seen this many places. Probably said/posted somewhere and then picked up by lots of other places.

Wikipedia for the S&W Model 2: Smith & Wesson Model 2 - Wikipedia

Says: The first model of the .38 Single Action can be identified by its smooth barrel (lacking fluting), and the long extractor shroud similar to the Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian pistol, which lent it the nickname "Baby Russian".

Rob

 

[BMur]

Wikipedia?

Wikipedia is a great "general reference" only.

I have actually tried several times to "edit" their posts and every time I attempt to "correct" their information? they remove my edits.

I have tried to edit their listing on the 41 rimfire cartridge several times. It is "totally" incorrect, inaccurate, and obsolete information. They remove my edits. So, you can take that for what it's worth.

What you posted from Wikipedia as an example: They list the Baltimore Police issued Baby Russians as being marked with " City of Balto"....They were not. They were marked : BALTO CITY POLICE . On the back strap in 3 different styles of hand engraving supporting 3 different contracts. Earlier Colts were marked on the bottom of the grip frame with that marking and others.

They also list the 2nd model as having a 3 1/2" and 4 1/2" barrel? They were not. They had a standard length of 3 1/4", 4", 5" and later after 1887 came available with 6", 8", and 10" barrels.

I can go on but what's the point? They do not welcome corrections or edits.

More than likely this is the "source" of the miss-information that is spreading since search engines bring up their posts often.

Perhaps those that reference this information take it as Gospel so it would be beyond difficult to convince them otherwise.

Maybe you can attempt to contact Wikipedia and ask the internet God's "exactly" what they mean by un-fluted barrel? GOOD LUCK.

Murph

 

[Teddydog]

That is exactly my point, really. That info is out there. I was just asking the experts here if it had any basis in fact, or was wrong/bad info being propagated.

Clearly "barrel without flutes" is bogus, as I expected.

Rob