Anyone identify this pistol?

[falconau]

Can any of you gun buffs out there identify this pistol?
It seems to be a little over .38 cal. I suspect it may have been re-chambered for a larger caliber.
Some of the markings are unclear and I think it might be a foreign S&W copy. I heard some South American countries used to make copies of Mausers and Lugers. But for $35.00, who cares.
If I could get some guidance as to the year of manufacture, based on the style, I'd be happy.
(I hope the link works, and sorry about the poor resolution.)
http://www.geocities.com/andrea66_au/Pi ... 1056563930

[Michaelson]

....a Rossi .38 Special to me. Regards.Michaelson

[Peacock's Eye]

I was going to say that it was either a Rossi or a Taurus, made in Brazil, nice gun.

[falconau]

Thanks guys. For me, it's an ideal Raiders S&W look-alike, but a slightly smaller caliber.
Any idea of the possible year of manufacture?

[Oklahoma Jones]

...with you , Michaelson; it does look like a Rossi.......not sure of the manufacture date, though.......late 80's, maybe?

[Michaelson]

...closer to the late 70's. Their bluing left a lot to be desired. Rossi's from that period were not all that great. I've handled new Rossi's recently and their quality has jumped by leaps and bounds. They were considered equal to Taurus back then, but Taurus became premier revolvers with a restructure of the company in the early 90's. (Unusual for a South American company) Their improvements on their product made a LOT of high end companies sit up and take notice, as Taurus stole a LOT of business. Being a hard core Ruger and Smith man, even I ended up purchasing a model 605 revolver, and even after years of wheeling and dealing, I STILL carry the Taurus. Rossi is now equal to Taurus in their QC. Heck, they had to, or Taurus would have buried them within a couple of years of their restructure. Bottom line, though, if you're planning on purchasing this revolver and shooting it, please read the FAQ I wrote at the main Gear page in determining if this one is worth purchasing. If you're just wanting it to have for your Indy collection, it will do you fine, but I'd be a bit wary of it for serious target work. They just weren't made all that well back then. Regards. Michaelson

[falconau]

Thanks for the advice, guys.
I have purchased this gun for my Indy collection, since it seems close to a Raiders S&W, if you don't look too closely. I'll probably take it out every now and then and put a few rounds through it, just to blow out the cobwebs.
But for $35.00 Australian, which is about $20.00 USD, I thought it was well worth the purchase price.

[Michaelson]

...and make sure you have a qualified gunsmith check it over carefully before loading the first round in the chamber. That price is WAY low to me, Aus. or U.S.D., and I'd be a bit wary of it until I was given a green light by a gunsmith to fire anything through it. I value my fingers and hand. (grins) Regards. Michaelson