Help for identify S&W

[danalex]

Hello,
I've found this S&W on a french site : it is given as a 38 Single action but I think that it could be a N°2 Mexican model.
Please find here the pictures.
My doubt is on the markings that are not on a 38 single action either on a Mexican;
Thanks in advance for your help,
Daniel

 

[opoefc]

It's not a "Mexican Model" as the trigger housings on a Mexican Model are separate from the frame - It's a .38 SA, 2nd model. Barrel stampings on older S&Ws often vary from what may be considered "normal" as S&W never threw away anything that could be used eventually, including die stamps. (As you may know, the badges in the photo are phony repros. ) Ed.

 

[danalex]

Thanks a lot, now I understand better how to recognize a Mexican.
Yes I know these badges are repros.
I have doubt in 2 badges from my collection : what do you think ?
Thanks Daniel

 

[opoefc]

Both badges are non-original, in my opinion. Wells Fargo never used a badge like the first on pictured, and the "Marvelous Marin Co." with the picture of the Golden Gate Bridge, is the type sold to tourists visiting San Francisco Bay area, etc. Ed.

 

[DWalt]

I gave up on badges long ago. There seemed to be more bogus badges than real ones, sort of like WWII Nazi stuff. One problem is that there is such a variety of them, what with the enormous number of law enforcement agencies in the USA, and the fact that so many early badges were relatively crudely made in the first place, therefore are easily faked. You can nearly always assume that anything marked as Wells Fargo will be a fake. Even Rick on Pawn Stars was taken in on a lockbox marked as Wells Fargo. Same goes for anything marked Texas Rangers.

 

[danalex]

I knew that Well Fargo badge was false, but the second one has a back door markings Irvine & jachens S.F. seems to be silver sterling with very good quality.
But of course I'm not an Expert and thank you for all your remarks.

 

[opoefc]

The Deputy Sheriff badge for Marin Co., is probably original, if it has a pin back and the stampings you indicate, and is sterling marked. Copies are sold in the repo badge market and that's why I first indicated it was a repo. You could probably email a photo to the Marin Co. Sheriff's office for an opinion on it's age and originality. Ed.

 

[danalex]

Thank you very much Ed I'll try to contact them, I'll let you know

 

[PriseDeFer]

Whatever it all is, thank you for a charming and evocative photograph. I wouldn't mind slipping that iron under my belt and steppin' out.