I recently purchased a .32 Safety Hammerless, 1st. Model, 3.5", nickel. The serial number is 869XX. I believe it was made in 1902 or possible 1901, any help with the year would be appreciated. The only problem with this neat handgun is that it has a chipped right grip panel. It is the original S&W black hard rubber grips. Does anyone possible have a set of these in their extra gun parts box that they would like to sell or know where I may be able to find. Tried ebay with no luck. Thanks in advance for any help with DOB or grips.

The rubber grips on these guns have gotten soft and fragile over the past 110 years, unfortunately. As I understand it, grips for the Safety Hammerless models were fitted to each gun, and they are unique in that you can't buy generic grips for a frame size. You must find grips from another Safety Hammerless which someone is willing to sell. Even then, they may or may not fit well. When removing these grips, use a properly fitting screwdriver and go easy to avoid harming them more. Good luck.

You can buy pretty decent replacement grips from these people listed below. You will have to sand them slightly to fit and then re-polish the edges. It's not too difficult if I can do it. They're nice people to deal with and will help all they can.
10/22.

http://www.vintagegungrips.net/smwepigr.html

Thanks for the help. Any idea on DOB based on my serial number 869xx ?m Maybe it is more like 1898-1902 as I read on another thread that most 1st. Models were made before 1899. Thanks.

.32 Safety Hammerless 1st models with serial numbers 91,400 and below are considered to be antique and were manufactured before 01 January 1899. Therefore, yours is an antique, probably manufactured c. 1898.

I have run into the soft grip problem with antique shotgun butt-plates and grip caps and have successfully restored them with a rather unorthodox method.

If the grip is intact and the detail is still good, but the grips are fragile or soft, I use Minwax Wood Hardner. This seems to work very well to strengthen old softened rubber grips. Don't soak them, but brush on a coat and let it soak in and dry. Allow a couple hours to cure and add coats until the last coat does not soak in, blot that last coat off the grips, and you are done. Make sure to test a small spot on the inside of the grip first to assure the wood hardener dries completely and does not interact with the type of rubber you have. This method has saved a few original butt-plates, where no replacements are available, and the fix has been very serviceable to shoot and hunt with if so inclined.

Better to do this to preserve than have them decay away. This material also works great on softened wood - go figure!

You can also contact Forum member Don Furr at [email protected]. He can repair your grips, particularly if the damaged right grip is numbered to the gun.

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Peter #2091

Hi, If you don't get the original grips repaired as suggested, try here Numrich Gun Parts Corp. - The World's Largest Supplier of Firearms Parts and Accessories.

I bought a pair some years ago and they fitted very well. About $20 plus shipping. Ray

88300 was shipped January of 1900.

I hear that was a good year. Pretty cool ship date.