I recently took posession of a nickel-plated S&W .38 2nd Model, as shown below. Seems to be in fairly good condition, operates properly on all five, etc.
Anyone know what years this model was produced? I read somewhere it started in 1877, but I'm not sure.
Also, according to the S&W site, their revolvers have the serial numbers stamped into the bottom of the frame between the grips. Most serials seem to be alphanumeric and rather lengthy, but this one only has three numbers. Is that the way they did it back then and this particular one was just early in the production run?