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

Published on August 27, 2020
Duration: 8:01

The Smith & Wesson 'Baby Russian' was the company's first .38 caliber revolver, designed for pocket carry and based on the larger .44 Russian model. It utilized the .38 S&W cartridge, originally loaded with black powder, and featured a top-break action with an automatic extractor. Early models included the rare Aldrich safety screw, and S&W produced three distinct production patterns before production ceased in 1911.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson 'Baby Russian' was the company's first .38 caliber revolver, introduced around 1876. It featured a top-break action, spur trigger for pocket carry, and was chambered in the .38 S&W cartridge, firing a 146-grain bullet at approximately 740 fps.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the S&W Baby Russian
  2. 01:21Comparison with Full-Size Russian Model
  3. 01:58Cartridge and Ballistics (.38 S&W)
  4. 02:45Design for Pocket Carry
  5. 03:17Mechanical Operation: Top-Break Action
  6. 04:49The Rare Aldrich Safety Device
  7. 05:39Production Patterns and Variations
  8. 07:12Legacy and Military Use of .38 S&W

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the significance of the Smith & Wesson 'Baby Russian'?

The 'Baby Russian' was Smith & Wesson's first revolver chambered in .38 caliber, specifically designed for the new .38 S&W cartridge. It represented a scaled-down, pocketable version of their larger Russian models, popularizing the top-break design for civilian use.

What were the key design features of the S&W 'Baby Russian'?

It featured a top-break action with an automatic extractor, a spur trigger for pocket carry, and a single-action hammer. Early models, like serial number 23, sometimes included the rare Aldrich safety screw, which prevented opening the action when cocked.

What were the ballistics of the .38 S&W cartridge used in the 'Baby Russian'?

The original .38 S&W cartridge typically fired a 146-grain bullet at around 740 feet per second, originally using black powder. This made it slightly less powerful than contemporary .38 Colt cartridges of the same era.

How many 'Baby Russian' revolvers did Smith & Wesson produce?

Smith & Wesson produced over 160,000 of their .38 Single Action revolvers, including the 'Baby Russian' variants, from their introduction until production ceased in 1911. There were three main production patterns.

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