S&W Baby Russian? .38 Single Action, 2nd Model (Model 2, 2nd Issue)

barbsaurus

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This was in too nice of condition for me to pass on...for a 130+ year old gun. Based on the catalog description, I believe it is a S&W .38 Single Action, 2nd Model (Model 2, 2nd Issue) serial number 86264 guessing it left the factory in the late 1880s. Also believe it has been re-plated but no markings to indicate a factory job. I've seen photos of other nickel-ed guns of the same vintage that have the front sight nickel-ed. The latch release and trigger are blued with the hammer being distinctively case hardened. None of the screws are "buggered" and the serial number is "scratched" inside the left grip.

Is it fair to call this a "Baby Russian"? I put in a "ship date" request earlier today with Roy and I'll let you know what he says. I believe it was probably re-plated. If it was re-plated, it looks like a very quality job. The photos show far more blemishes than I can see with my eyes and it looks much better than the images indicate. This is the oldest handgun in my collection. I've attached photos (I have more) and welcome comments. Now I need to find some ammo...
 

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It is not a Baby Russian. That model was made only two years, 1876 & 1877. The serial number range was 1 to 25,548. You have a 38 Single Action, 2nd Model made from 1877 to 1891. The serial number range ended at 108,255. Your serial number should date to the early 1880s.

It is my opinion that your gun has been refinished in what looks like chrome, not nickel and would not have been done by the factory. Nickel, when photographed, has a yellowish tint, while chrome looks silvery and mirror like. The hammer has a odd mottled look which makes me believe that it has been touched up after losing its rainbow case hardening colors. Overall, it has a very nice job if refinished.
 
The .38 Single Action Second Model revolver can actually be found in unrefinished, high condition, near 100% for very little money, even in this day and age, FWIW. As others stated, yours has been refinished. With a little time and effort, you should be able to find a better one, but yours does have eye appeal to some.
 
I'm a member of the Replate Club but it has been nicely done. I believe your revolver might be a 4" barrel which is somewhat uncommon.
 
The Baby Russian was so named only because of the long housing of the cylinder arbor under the barrel, which made it somewhat look like the big model 3 in caliber .44 Russian.

The second model does not have this housing anymore, which is why it can't be called Baby Russian.
 
Ship Date...Revealed!

It is my opinion that your gun has been refinished in what looks like chrome, not nickel and would not have been done by the factory. Nickel, when photographed, has a yellowish tint, while chrome looks silvery and mirror like.

Gary,
I'm pretty sure it has been refinished but none the less, it appears to be a quality refinish. I would imagine the refinish cost more than I paid for the gun. My photo skills aren't top notch and the photos were taken under a florescent light in the cooler "blue" range which translate to a higher frequency visible light band. I don't know if that might have caused a false tint to the true color.

Thanks for all the comments. Roy Jinks came back with a ship date of June 1883. Oldest gun for which I have temporary caretaker duties.
Norm
 

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