Condition of cylinder extractor/star on used model 38

[T2star]

Hello,

I'm interested in this used 38-2. By most of the pictures, it's clear it has been loved quite a bit but overall appears in good shape in spite of significant finish wear. The one area in the pics (Imgur: The magic of the Internet) that caught my eye was the cylinder extractor and star, which appears a little misaligned and slightly raised in one corner. Comparing to the revolvers I already own, the star is clearly flush and aligned on all of them. Wanted to see what you guys think. It's described as being in good working condition, but don't want to invest in something that may ultimately need some repair or replacement parts.

The only other area I'd love some input on is the wear on the, for lack of a better descriptor, breech face? (Imgur: The magic of the Internet)

 

[2152hq]

Looks like the ratchet star,,a couple of the extractor 'fingers' are bent outwards (back towards the breech face).
That in itself won't do much if the gun is unloaded and the cylinder is closed and the action is functioned. The extractor fingers have at least the amt of clearance equal to the rim thickness of the cartridge it's chambered for before they start to touch the breach face.

But, once the chambers are loaded,,te cartridges in those chambers with the extractor fingers that are bent back hold the cartridge rim itself back also.
The rim is held too high and upon closing the loaded cylinder, those 2 or 3 rounds jam into the breech face of the frame.

I think the relieved area on the breech face indicated by the bright white metal frame alloy having been both scarred and cut back with a file or other instrument in attempts to allow the loaded cylinder to close with the 2 or 3 loaded rounds sitting up high on the bent extractor fingers.

Once jammed past the frame section and the cylinder closed, the rounds likely push the extractor fingers back down enough to allow the cylinder to turn, but it can't be w/o some drag on the action I wouldn't think.

I'd stay clear of the gun looking at the extractor star, the obvious breech face damage/work over and also the center pin hole in the breech face and the drag line leading to it w/what looks like a bright spot/secondary pivot center.
That secondary pivot may have been how far the cylinder closed originally when they found out the ratchet was bent and just continued to
spin it with rounds in the cyl, grinding away the alloy frame on the breech trying to close it.

My advise is pass on that one.

 

[T2star]

Thank you so much for the detailed reply. You have saved me both money and grief! Much appreciate you taking the time.

 

[stansdds]

Given the damage to the recoil shield and the ill-fitting extractor, I'd run away.

 

[Llance]

Alloy frame!! this thing isn't even good for an anchor. Run, don't walk away.