"Sterling" .38 Caliber Rimfire Spur Trigger, Single Action Revolver (circa.1880)
This "Sterling" .38RF looks to possibly be made in Norwich, Connecticut. It is definitely a "suicide special", and the Norwich Pistol Co./Norwich Falls Pistol Co. and Hood Firearms Mfg Co. used the same type of cylinder axis pin retention.
According to the book by Donald Webster "Suicide Specials", there was a "Sterling" revolver sold in .22 RF and .32 RF, but no mention of a .38 RF model.
The Canadian RCMP's Firearms database states that the .22RF & .32RF "Sterling" revolvers were manufactured by Hopkins & Allen and E.L.&J. Dickenson.
Who can know for certain, as there are very few production records left from the 19th century American Firearm manufacturing companies.
I came across this .38 caliber Rimfire revolver the other day that needs a little work and a good cleaning which was priced accordingly, and so I bit the bullet, and spent money that I can't afford to spend, but I know it will be worth it and I now have a interesting winter project.
According to the fellow who sold this revolver to me, it may need a trigger return spring as well as an adjustment of the cylinder bolt-stop.
I already have a bag of .38 Special brass, which can be trimmed and easily modified to work with .38 caliber Rimfire guns.
Hornady .375" lead round ball should work as a substitute projectile for the original, outside lubed, heeled bullets.
UPDATE Dec.5: Now that I have had the chance to inspect this single action .38RF revolver, it looks like this will be a bigger job, than the seller had led me to believe.
I will need to with find a replacement cylinder axis pin, or fabricate a new one.
The same goes for the cylinder hand and possibly the cyl.hand spring, and the cylinder bolt locking spring.
That cyl.axis pin is a terrible diy modification of an axis pin from a different revolver.
As I solve these issues, I will update my progress here.
