The First S&W .38: The "Baby Russian"

My friend has one of these that was passed down through his family since the late 1800s

What did the extractor change to, and why?

as a fistful of frags game fan i can tell that weapon looks like hammerless and schofield offspring

Love these

146 grains at 740fps? That's....not too far off a .38 S&W Spl. wadcutter load, which a lot of smart folks suggest for, e.g., J-frame carry ammunition.
Not a big, stomping handful of power, but it'll do the job with a little skill at sending it.

My older brother recently bought a S&W Safety Hammerless in .32 caliber and I gotta say.. I'm quite astonished at how similar all these classic S&W revolvers are to each other. Sure some may have a different method of operation and sure they may fire different ammo depending on model but a lot of features are uncanny to each other, some fine examples bein' the really tiny sights, ejection system and just the overall look of the guns themselves. This was a cool video to watch, I hope perhaps one day we could see the .32 S&W revolver.

I have a unrelated question.
When did people start using the "caliber" designation rather than the style "bore" designation for rifled guns?

It looks like the .32 pistol from fallout 3!

1876? Looks more like it was produced last week.

What a magnificent condition.

So a Baby Russian with a Mexican kit could be called a Baby Trotsky right?

Did Ian just assume the size of my pockets?

"This is not suitable for stuffing in a pocket"
Laughs in prison wallet

Harrington & Richardson and Iver Johnson both made various revolvers in that caliber as well.

I like break open style pistols. I actually prefer that style over the cylinder model we have nowadays.

I have a 1901 hopkins and Allan 38 similar to this. But with a full trigger guard. Handed down by my dad. I wouldn’t dare to shoot it. Lol.

For the SJW's this controlled chemical reaction device for aimed impact sports is colloquially known as the "Safe and Western: baby collusion".

Nice bbr.

TRIGUN

My Dad had a very similar S&W but with birds head grip and no ejector override. It was in 32 S&W. Otherwise looked much the same.

Ian, the double action version you mentioned was made in .38 S&W & in .44 S&W Russian. I have one in .44 S&W Russian serial # 1068 of 54668 made. Look at the 40th anniversary edition blue book of Guns on page 1887, 3rd from the bottom for more information. On a side note my pistol still shoots!

I need to get my 3rd model re-finished since it's nickle plating is in very rough shape. Functionally it seems fine, and the original pearl grips are in great shape. Prev Owner kept it in a sock drawer for many many years before passing and he left it to me in his will since he knew I love old revolvers.

I have a second pattern. It’s also factory nickel. Not quite as nice as this one, but in good shape nonetheless.

It’s exactly like the .32 pistol from Fallout 3.

Beautiful. Are the grips original?

I have an American Arms 32, essentially a knock-off of a S&W model 4, with those same sights. I happened to grab it one night to dispatch a raccoon. At 3 yards I couldn't figure out where the bullet was going and had to grab a different gun. Definitely an up-close "get off me" gun.

what a cool revolver

The fit and finish is just beautiful. Goddamn Smith and Wesson could ALWAYS make a fine looking pistol.

I had one those back in day it shot good Love video

Ahh how cute, a gun for baby Russians. Baby's first revolver is always a keepsake.

"Kloooooodgie". "Kludge" is "kloooooodge". So it was a "kloodgie system".

thats a beautiful gun.

S&W made revolvers in 38 S&W caliber until 1974

Very similar to the little owl head , iver Johnson 38 smith and Wesson revolvers. Their slogan was hammer the hammer. I believe they had a drop bar safety. Neat guns but not very collectible I don’t believe. But what do I know, I could be all wrong. Great videos, excellent content, thank you !

This gun is in just gorgeous condition.

Wish I could own both. My baby gun, the back up pistol, could be concealed under my toupee.

One of these was given to my grandfather as payment for treatment (doctor) and we still have it. Of course it doesn't look as good as the one shown as it had been carried quite a bit but still has the logo. My great grandfathers revolver had the logo rubbed off as he carried it everyday.

Whats the reason behind spur triggers? I mean the history behind them etc...

I think it would look better if you did an all black powder coated finish, then stone tumble The whole gun. Replace the grips with black carbon fiber and make a tactical Kydex holster for it.

Thanks for the video! I just inherited a model 2 from my dad and knew nothing about it.

I just bought the Double Action 3rd model. Mine was made in 1885.

I have one similar to it

If Uberti came out with a replica of this I'd be all over it like a fly on... well, you know.

Is it called the "Mexican" style trigger because it facilitates "Mexican carry"? I.E., the revolver simply thrust in the belt. The spur trigger would keep the revolver from sliding into the pants a little better, I guess.....

It was based on .38 RF Long, like the .38LC, wasn't it?

That revolver looks like it could have been made yesterday, and not 140 years ago!

Gun:marked as the baby Russian
Also the gun:marked as made in usa
Me:what 😳🤨

Everyone always sees Colt .45s in westerns, but there were 2/3 more people carrying these small caliber guns back then, production number wise. I can’t think of any classic western films that ever showed one of these small guns being used.

Thats a thing of beauty

hello Ian,I own one that belonged to my great grandfather,it has lost its nickeled finish,but still shoots great.ammo is quite expensive and scarce herre in Peru.
best regards