S&W .38 Single Action

Smith & Wesson Model 2 (Single Action)
Smith & Wesson .38 Single-Action, Second Model
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	Smith & Wesson
Produced	1876-1911
No. built	approx. 25,548 (1st model), 108,255 (2nd model), 97,000 (3rd model)
Specifications
Caliber	.38 S&W Blackpowder
Action	Single Action
Feed system	5-round cylinder
Sights	Fixed

The Smith & Wesson Model 2, also referred to as the Smith & Wesson .38 Single Action, was Smith & Wesson's first .38 caliber revolver. Chambered in .38 S&W, its cylinder held 5 shots. The single action version was produced in three varieties from 1876 through 1911, with total production exceeding 223,000.

The Smith & Wesson Model 2 was a "top-break", with the barrel release catch located on the top of the frame, just in front of the hammer. It was a larger caliber version of the third model of the Smith & Wesson Model 1 1/2.

In 1876, Smith & Wesson Model 2 debuted in a single-action format, meaning the hammer had to be cocked manually to set the trigger in order to fire the revolver. These revolvers were available in nickel or blued finishes.

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.

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".

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.

These revolvers had a spur trigger, lacked a trigger guard and were serial numbered consecutively from 1 through 108,255.

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".