Need help, S & W single action .38

brazosdave · June 14, 2014, 11:20 AM

Hey fellas, I picked up this old S & W .38 single action on GB. The extractor is not functioning correctly, and this cam doesn't look like the drawings i've seen. Can anyone school me on how i might fix this? Here is a pic of the gun broken down, and another one of the extractor cam. Appreciate the help all!

velocette · June 14, 2014, 04:00 PM

Looks like an S&W first model AKA "Baby Russian"
1876 ~ 1877. Chambered in .38 S&W

brazosdave · June 14, 2014, 05:23 PM

that is what it is.

Jim Watson · June 14, 2014, 05:47 PM

No, it is a Second Model, the First or "Baby Russian" has a much longer extractor housing. But I don't know how to fix either.

gyvel · June 14, 2014, 06:33 PM

^^^^^ What Jim Watson said. First model had a small sliding button to allow you to open the revolver without actuating the extractor.

James K · June 14, 2014, 09:55 PM

The first model had a rack and pinion extractor like the Russian, which is where it got the name "Baby Russian." The second model has the type of cam shown, but the one pictured is missing a piece and has the wrong spring. There is a curved part that fits in the front, and has its own pivot built in with a small spring behind it.

I hope the picture comes through OK, but here is what it looks like. Compare it with the one shown by the OP.

So, given that the missing part is probably unobtainable, could the OP make the part work? I think so, but it will take some work on that spring, plus the fix will probably mean that the extractor won't snap back into the cylinder as it should, but it might extract OK.

Jim

Tidewater_Kid · June 14, 2014, 10:36 PM

Look at part #13 on this page.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufact...lver-38376.htm

Would that work?

TK

brazosdave · June 15, 2014, 05:50 AM

Thanks a lot for the pic and the heads up about Nimrich! I'm not sure it will work, but now at least I have a place i can call and find out. I appreciate everyones assistance!
BD

James K · June 15, 2014, 09:16 PM

The part Tidewater Kid mentions is a later type used on the double action models. I don't know if it will work or not, but it won't hurt to ask.

Jim

James K · June 15, 2014, 11:17 PM

The two parts will interchange, so Part # 13 will fit and work in the single action.

Jim

velocette · June 19, 2014, 03:16 PM

Gyvel posted about the S&W "Baby Russian" that it had a
sliding button to disconnect the ejection rack so you could
open the revolver without shucking the empties / live rounds.
I have a nickel plated Baby Russian & never knew that. I took
mine & examined it & by gosh there sure is the button and it
works too!

Roger

James K · June 19, 2014, 08:25 PM

Actually, the whole top of the second model Single Action will interchange with the top of the DA. But cylinders won't interchange, though.

Jim

June 14, 2014, 04:00 PM	#2
velocette Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 924	Looks like an S&W first model AKA "Baby Russian" 1876 ~ 1877. Chambered in .38 S&W __________________ Trigger control + Breath control + Sight alignment = Gun Control. http://www.hrpclub.info/ NRA Smallbore Prone Master, High Power Master

June 14, 2014, 05:23 PM	#3
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	that is what it is. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry, it's just my game"

June 15, 2014, 05:50 AM	#8
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	Thanks a lot for the pic and the heads up about Nimrich! I'm not sure it will work, but now at least I have a place i can call and find out. I appreciate everyones assistance! BD __________________ "I'm your huckleberry, it's just my game"

June 19, 2014, 03:16 PM	#11
velocette Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 924	Learn sumpthin every day! Gyvel posted about the S&W "Baby Russian" that it had a sliding button to disconnect the ejection rack so you could open the revolver without shucking the empties / live rounds. I have a nickel plated Baby Russian & never knew that. I took mine & examined it & by gosh there sure is the button and it works too! Roger __________________ Trigger control + Breath control + Sight alignment = Gun Control. http://www.hrpclub.info/ NRA Smallbore Prone Master, High Power Master

June 14, 2014, 11:20 AM	#1
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	Need help, S & W single action .38 Hey fellas, I picked up this old S & W .38 single action on GB. The extractor is not functioning correctly, and this cam doesn't look like the drawings i've seen. Can anyone school me on how i might fix this? Here is a pic of the gun broken down, and another one of the extractor cam. Appreciate the help all! __________________ "I'm your huckleberry, it's just my game"

June 14, 2014, 05:47 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	No, it is a Second Model, the First or "Baby Russian" has a much longer extractor housing. But I don't know how to fix either.

June 14, 2014, 06:33 PM	#5
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	^^^^^ What Jim Watson said. First model had a small sliding button to allow you to open the revolver without actuating the extractor.

June 14, 2014, 10:36 PM	#7
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Look at part #13 on this page. http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufact...lver-38376.htm Would that work? TK

June 15, 2014, 09:16 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The part Tidewater Kid mentions is a later type used on the double action models. I don't know if it will work or not, but it won't hurt to ask. Jim

June 15, 2014, 11:17 PM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The two parts will interchange, so Part # 13 will fit and work in the single action. Jim

June 19, 2014, 08:25 PM	#12
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Actually, the whole top of the second model Single Action will interchange with the top of the DA. But cylinders won't interchange, though. Jim