HC Cowdogs
Member
I have a S&W revolver I inherited. I'd like to find out about its history and if I can get ammo for it. The serial # is 18610
Can anybody help me out.
Thanks
Can anybody help me out.
Thanks
Gun research
- Thread starter HC Cowdogs
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Welcome to the forum. As Andy has said we need more information as that serial number could apply to many Smith & Wesson revolvers spanning over 100 years or more. A picture of each side plus caliber of it will help us help you.
OP
HC Cowdogs
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here's a picture I took awhile back
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Well that is a 1st Model 38 single action Baby Russian only made 1876-77
Edit just noticed it has a 4 inch barrel which I dont think is as common as the 3-1/4 inch barrel.
Edit just noticed it has a 4 inch barrel which I dont think is as common as the 3-1/4 inch barrel.
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HC Cowdogs
Member
I resized the picture. I can only find the serial # on the butt and some stamping on the top of barrel
Can get more pictures later
mmaher94087
Member
You have a .38 Single Action (aka, Baby Russian). About 25,000 were manufactured in 1876/7. The revolver was designed for black powder. The caliber is .38 S&W.
Add: It appears to have a 4" barrel which is scarce.
Add: It appears to have a 4" barrel which is scarce.
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Ammo is available it is the 38 S&W round not 38 S&W Special. I have shot mine with modern loaded ammo with no issues. As long as yours functions properly timing, lockup, ect. I know you did not ask but if you decide to clean it up a bit first carefully remove the grips do not pry as they WILL break. First put a few drops of penetrating oil on the grip screw thread side let soak in if the screw will turn unscrew until it is almost out tap the head of screw with a plastic handle of the screw driver this will hopefully push the opposite grip off be patient again do not pry. Once the first grip is off the other can be pushed off from inside. Then give the gun a good soaking in a penetrating oil, lots of us use a mixture of one half Auto Transmission fluid one half Acetone use outside as it is very flammable let soak several days. Bronze wool (available at Ace Hardware) soaked in oil can be used to remove the rust do not use steel wool as it will scratch the remaining nickle.
In terms of history, there's two approaches here.
One is to learn more about these guns in general. The best starter here would be the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson," which is the go-to book for many of us. There is also "Smith & Wesson" by Robert Neal and Roy Jinks, which tells much of the story behind the company and many of its guns.
In terms of your exact gun: you can request a factory letter from the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation, which would tell you where the gun originally shipped to, when it shipped from the factory, and its original configuration. More often than not, these guns went to a major distributor, but it's still neat information. I think the factory letter currently costs $100.
Mike
One is to learn more about these guns in general. The best starter here would be the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson," which is the go-to book for many of us. There is also "Smith & Wesson" by Robert Neal and Roy Jinks, which tells much of the story behind the company and many of its guns.
In terms of your exact gun: you can request a factory letter from the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation, which would tell you where the gun originally shipped to, when it shipped from the factory, and its original configuration. More often than not, these guns went to a major distributor, but it's still neat information. I think the factory letter currently costs $100.
Mike
OP
HC Cowdogs
Member
Thanks
Thanks everybody for the info. Sounds like ammo is hard to get. And not the most powerful at that. I was kind of hoping to use the gun as a side arm when I go tracking wounded deer.
Thanks
Thanks everybody for the info. Sounds like ammo is hard to get. And not the most powerful at that. I was kind of hoping to use the gun as a side arm when I go tracking wounded deer.
Thanks
Hunting?
I wouldn’t trust a 144 year old antique gun to put down a wild wounded Buck hiding in the brush!
357 Mag with full loads minimum!
44 Mag is my standard field side arm. ( Bring it on!)
Antiques are for fun only. Not worth risking injury due to inadequate stopping power!
Murph
I wouldn’t trust a 144 year old antique gun to put down a wild wounded Buck hiding in the brush!
357 Mag with full loads minimum!
44 Mag is my standard field side arm. ( Bring it on!)
Antiques are for fun only. Not worth risking injury due to inadequate stopping power!
Murph
OP
HC Cowdogs
Member
Yeah I am kind of thinking maybe I should put the Baby Russian in a auction and put the proceeds towards a gun that fits my needs
Consider listing it for sale here. If nothing else, you wouldn't have to pay an auction company a seller's premium. And it's an antique, so shipping it wouldn't be a problem.
Mike
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