Rossi .38 Special

[ldsgeek]

I just purchased an old Rossi .38SPL 5 shot witha 3" barrel from a co-worker (was his fathers but Alzheimer's is setting in and it's no longer safe to allow him firearms) but can't find a model number anywhere. The only markings are as follows:

Right side: Barrel is marked .38 SPECIAL, behind cylinder is the logo, under the cylinder is MADE IN BRAZIL and the S/N D297237

Left side: Barrel is marked AMADEO ROSSI S.A. (top line) SAO LEOPOLDO R.S. (bottom line)

It has a windage adjustable rear sight with a screw on either side, loosen on and tighten the other to adjust. It currently has Pachmyer (SP?) grips. The cylinder latch has a bullseye rather than checkering. It also looks as if it may have been refinished as it has a matte finish (parkerized i think) rather than polished blue like most Rossi's I have seen.

Does anyone know anything about this revolver? I only paid $50 as it needed a good cleaning and could use a new bolt and/or hand to tighten up the cylinder lock-up.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I had one something like that 20 years ago. It had that dull finish from the factory....It's cheaper to produce that polished blue.

 

[bannockburn]

ldsgeek

I had a Rossi Model 88, which sounds very much like the revolver you're describing only mine was made out of stainless steel. Great gun, and at the time, something S&W wasn't offering in their line-up. I especially liked the 3" barrel as it made for just about the right balance for a J frame sized gun.

I thought of my Rossi as being like the perfect kit gun; light and handy to take along when I was hiking, fun to plink around with, having a durable finish and quality construction, and packing enough punch to handle most situations afield.

 

[Ala Dan]

Rossi 2" and 3" BBL's in .38 Special

Rossi's blued version is known as, "the model 68"~!

 

[eqlzr]

My stainless Rossi 88 snubbie is a nice gun. It's starting to loosen up a bit now after a lot of shooting. Very nice single and double-action trigger pull. Came with a very nice feeling set of rubber grips, and the checkered wooden grips that are now on it that make it nicer for smooth drawing from a pocket. It's being replaced soon by a S & W Classic Model 36 Nickel plated snubbie.

 

[WillyB]

Rossi .38

I have just been passed down a .38 caliber Rossi revolver and I'm trying to figure out all I can about it. This gun is all steel frame with wood grips. The gun has a 2" barrell. The seriel number is 44411. On one side of the barrell it says .38 special, on the other side it says Amedeo Rossi & CIA, Sao Leopoldo RS. The gun needed to be cleaned when I got it, but looks pretty good now. A little worn in some areas, but overall it pretty good shape. If anyone can tell me how old this gun may be, the model number, and possibly a value, that would be great. Thanks.

 

[dogngun]

Willy B - open the cylinder and check inside the frame-there should be a model number stamped in there.
I recently bought a Rossi 2" .357 magnum stainless-it is a great revolver, and my 3rd Rossi...never had any problems with any of them. I carry it.

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