Well it looks like I will be getting my second Safety Hammerless this Monday. A friend found it in a shop today, and knowing my interest in the top breaks, texted me a pic. Apparently it's a 2nd model .32, blued, serial number 162xxx, and what looks like a 3 1/2 inch barrel. So I told him to buy it, hopefully it's worth the $200 I haven't paid yet. I realize all I have is a small cell phone pic, but any honest opinions on its condition?

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Looks like a keeper. There are a bunch of the Safety Hammerless revolvers that have survived due to their lifetime storage in a nightstand or sock drawer. There are also a plethora of abused, rode hard and put away wet examples. Nice find.

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Mike Maher #283

That looks really nice and they are sure fun to shoot. Finding 32 shorts can be challenging but they are out there. I should add, I'd pay $200 for it in that condition all day long.

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Dr. B

Thanks everyone, looking forward to seeing it, even though the bicycle guns are really my strongest interest. As far as the .32 ammo, the Gander Mountain next door to my workplace has it stocked all the time...albeit very pricey. This is my eighth top break .32 (first Smith) so rest assured I keep an eye out for the ammo. Until I order a factory letter, any guesses at the build date on s/n 162xxx? As always, appreciate the effort.

You sound like me. I think I've got 5 boxes of the Remington and Winchester stuff put up. It's hard to keep since I have several friends who seem to always need it too. I let them have maybe 10 rounds at a time. . .it is pricey.

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Dr. B

That 2nd Model would have shipped from the factory around 1908, making it a "modern" firearm by BATF definition. Nice blued examples are less common and seem to bring more money than nickel, so $200 is a good buy if the finish is as nice as your cellphone pic shows.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Very nice! Would be nice to find top breaks in that condition around here.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Just took possession of a bicycle gun I got from The Woodlawn Boys. It went back to the factory in 5-51 for a refinish. Nickel an Pearl. I was a little disappointed because sometime along the way, whether S&W or another refinish??, all markings buffed off. Gun looks great but with no markings makes it a carrier and a shooter for me. All of this is of course on me because the Woodlawn Boys provide great pictures of anything they are selling. This gun, in this shape, is really the only way I would have ever have been able to own one as I have fallen out many times at $1,000+ for perfect examples. This one is half that. Great find on your blue gun, it's a keeper for sure.

Nice looking, and well worth the price. These little 32's are addicting. I have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and a 2" nickel 2nd bicycle gun. I just can't seem to pass a good one up.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks all for your words of confidence. Was curious because the majority of my top break .32's are Iver's, H&R, Hopkins, and one very clean Meriden. As everyone here knows, all the "other" brands generally bring half of what a nice Smith will. So apparently $200 is not a bad deal. Of course, I have not seen it yet so I'm reserving judgement. That being said, my buddy who bought it is a Marine/Vietnam vet/long time gun guy. My confidence in him? 110%.

Update, the 2nd model .32 followed me home today and is as clean, if not cleaner then I hoped. Grips are nearly spotless and the action seems perfect. I good scrub of the bore follows tonight, but overall I'm very pleased with my two franklin sight unseen expenditure. For what its worth, my pictures don't do it justice.

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Mines not nearly as nice.
Do reload for it and have a box of Remington ammo.
Nice gun to teach new shooters with.



Didn't even know I had it till I was searching through the safe for a M10-5 I know has to be some ware!

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Nice one. I'd love to have one of those.

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Oh well, what the hell.