Smith & Wesson Model 2

The first model of the .38 Single Action can be identified by its smooth barrel (lacking fluting), and the long extractor shroud similar to the Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian pistol, which lent it the nickname "Baby Russian". It had a spur trigger and lacked a trigger guard. Models were available in blued or nickel-plated finishes, and the majority were produced with 3+1⁄2-inch or 4-inch barrels, although barrels as long as 7 inches were sold.[1]

Serial numbers range from 1 through to 25,548 between 1876 and 1877. This pistol was used by the Baltimore Police Department from 1876 to 1917 and such revolvers are marked "City of Balto".[1]

The second model of the 38 Single Action used a shorter and more efficient ejection and extraction system and lack the shroud of the 1st model. It was produced in blued steel and nickel-plated versions, with most models having a 3+1⁄2-inch or 4+1⁄2-inch barrel. Rare versions had barrels of 6, 8 and 10 inches in length.[1]

These revolvers had a spur trigger, lacked a trigger guard and were serial numbered consecutively from 1 through 108,255.[2] at least one second model was produced with a 5 in barrel , with last three numbers of sn "007".

The third model of the 38 Single Action was made from 1891 to 1911 and is often known as the 1891 Model, Model 01 or the Model of 91 as the latter is stamped on the top of the barrel. This version used a standard trigger and a trigger guard, but 2000 of these revolvers were made for the Mexican government with the spur trigger and no guard and are referred to as the "Mexican Model".[3]

The Model 2 in .32 S&W was made in 5 iterations. The initial version was a batch of 30 revolvers that were the first of such made by Smith & Wesson with a trigger guard in 1880. These models were deemed to be sub-par and did not leave the factory until 1888. The second version was improved and a total of 22,142 of these were manufactured until 1882. The third variant made from 1882 until 1885 included 22,232 revolvers. The fourth version was made from 1885 until 1909 and included 239,600 models. The final fifth variant included 44,641 pieces and was discontinued in 1919.[1]

The Model 2 in .38 S&W was made in 5 iterations. The initial run consisted of 4000 revolvers in 1880. The second version was improved and a total of 115,000 of these were manufactured from 1880 until 1884. The third variant made from 1884 until 1895 included 203,700 revolvers. The fourth version was made from 1895 until 1909 and included 216,300 models. The fifth variant included 15,000 pieces and was discontinued in 1911. The third and fourth versions saw use as a police revolver for the cities of Cleveland, Ohio, Boston Massachusetts and Baltimore, Maryland as well as for security guards at the American Express Company.[1]

The final version of these top-break double-action 38's was the Perfected Model. This version used a top break with a sideplate thumb latch and was made from 1909 until 1920 for a total of 59,400 revolvers. This model was used by Floyd Allen in a courthouse escape attempt in 1913.[1]

The Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless is a double-action revolver that was produced from 1887 to 1940 by Smith & Wesson. Based on the Model 2 double-action design, the revolver incorporated an internal hammer and an external grip safety on its back-strap. It was chambered in .32 S&W and .38 S&W calibers. These revolvers were discontinued prior to World War II, as they had been eclipsed by the superior technology of the hand-ejector models.[1]