Question
S&W .32 Caliber Revolv
I am looking toward a potential purchase of an older S&W revolver. It's a .32 caliber " hammerless " model. Nickel plated with black grips. Serial # is 168817. It has what appears to be a unique raised section along the rear of the grip. I assume it is depressed when you grip the pistol ... for firing purposes. It also appears to load via a tilt open barrel. Any history or information you can provide will be appreciated. Year of manufacture, type of ammunition required, etc.
Answer Hello Greg. I have quite a bit of information on this revolver, but you mention in your Question that you are "looking toward a potential purchase." I do not want you to miss this one, so I will tell you now that from the photo you included it looks to have the 3 1/2" barrel. If it is resting on the original box, you can add about 50% to the purchase price. This is a 2nd Model S&W "Lemon Squeezer". Your serial # puts it at about 1908-1909 manufacture. This revolver will only shoot the .32 S&W caliber ammunition.As this is the 2nd Model, it was made to handle the pressures of smokeless powder. It is currently available in factory loaded ammunition from some discount retailers and web companies such as J&G SALES and MIDWAY, among others. Do not try to fire it until you have had it checked by a competent and trained gunsmith.These guns go from around $200 for a sound shooter to as much as $1500+ for a near mint(90%)I am sending this info to you now. If you are still interested in more details, ask for me again and I will give you more facts, including safety and wear factors.
Although there were many thousands of these revolvers made, Smith&Wesson has never developed and manufactured a "Second Class" firearm. These revolvers were made as fine tuned machines. The revolvers, although over a century old,should have very minimal looseness in any parts. You should have such a fit at the juncture between the cylinder and the barrel that can be gauged slitely larger than when it was new. If you have any shake in the gun at all, it is usually at this point.
You did notice that the box was not the original, so it will possibly add only around 15-20% to the price. It is nostalgic, so keep them together. The original instructions for care and shooting are there, also.
Some may say that the ' lil fella' can not compete with the larger framed revolvers. I however, disagree whole heartedly. The ones I have taken to the range are both adiquit for targets or self defense. At fifty to 75 feet, it will put a hole completely through a 2x4 piece of lumber.
I learned long ago that if you want it, buy it!
Some of the information in this email was taken from the book; GUNSMITHING: Guns Of The Old West. by David R. Chicoine. This book is 448 pages of gunsmithing legend and lore. It is on my next to purchase list.
