Hi,
I inherited a family heirloom this weekend. It is a Smith & Wesson Pistol, nickel finish with a 3.5 " barrel. This number is etched into the handle 28964. It has a patent date of 1877 on the top of the gun. I tried to attach a picture of the pistol.

I would love to know more about this pistol and would appreciate anything you can share.

Tarheel guy

Attached Images

Smith & Wesson 1877.jpg (36.8 KB, 146 views)

Welcome! You have a .32 Single Action, 97,574 produced between 1878 and 1892. Most were nickel and 3 and 3.5" barrels were most common. It uses the .32 S & W centerfire round, also called the Short to differentiate from the Long. Enjoy!

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

This kind of thing is why I really enjoy this forum. Lots of people who know lots of stuff about all things S&W and generous about sharing that knowledge.

__________________
America First

To add to the previous good info we can say that this model is still fairly early in S&W's history of revolver production and is one of the first to fire a centerfire cartridge. The .32 S&W became very popular in "pocket pistols" like this one. it seems that at the time nearly everyone wanted to have a pistol in their pants (or coat). It was not long, however, until the cartridge was improved by lengthening it to hold more powder (32 S&W Long). Interestingly, factory rounds of both short and long variety are still available. Some here will say it is safe to fire it but I do not recommend it. I fire mine with handloads that are specially concocted to be very low pressure. It is quite accurate. Although the finish of yours has suffered a bit, I bet you can see that it is a quality piece.

This one is s/n 20623, and shipped Mar. 1879. If shipped in s/n order would place yours leaving the factory the summer to fall of 1879. But, it is well established that S&W didn't always ship in chronological order. The only way to know exactly when it shipped is to order a S&W Historical letter, which will tell you when it shipped, and to where it shipped, (most likely a distributor).

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Tarheel guy! Nice heirloom!

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Welcome. S&W was very busy inventing, designing, and producing revolvers in the era of your revolver. As stated, the 32 SA was an early centerfire, but by 1878, close to two-hundred thousand 44 Americans, Russians, and Schofields had been built. What is interesting is to look at the list of models introduced within a few years of the 32 SA. The 38 Single Action was 1876, the New Model 3 in 1878, the 32 Double Action was 1880, the 38 Double Action was 1880, and the 44 Double Action in 1881. That is six new and different models put on the market in about 5 years time, which seems very ambitious.

Your revolver would have shipped in 1880.

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

....that way I get to buy her more and borrow them when I want to.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Thank you glowe for the prompt response and great information on my pistol! In your opinion, what is the value of the pistol given its condition. I am not interested in selling it because it means alot to our family. Years ago, on a whim, my grandfather sold the pistol and as soon as my uncle found out, he drove from Macon Georgia to Marshall NC to get it back! I would have done the same thing.
Tarheel Guy

I really appreciate the information you provided about my pistol! Do you mind to explain what s/n 20623 means in your post below?

Also, how do you order a S&W Historical letter?
Tarheel Guy

Hey, Appreciate the information you provided on my pistol! My wife doesn't know anything about guns, but took one look at it and said "Wow, that's old" and guessed early 1900's. We were both elated to read the information from you and others in the forum.
Tarheel Guy

The "s/n 20632" is the serial number of my gun, the 28964 you mentioned on the bottom of the handle is your guns serial number. My gun is 8332 numbers lower than yours. Since my gun shipped in March of 1879, I was guessing yours left the factory about 3-6 months later the same year.

Go up to the header and find the "downloads", and the request for a letter is located there. There is a $75 fee for a letter from the S&W Historical Foundation.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Glad you got the information you needed as that is what makes this forum great.

These revolvers do not sell for much money, partly because there were so many made, the caliber was fairly unpopular, plus spur triggers are not sought after as much by collectors. I would say under $300 will get a very nice example down to $150 for a worn working gun, so yours is somewhere between.

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

Old S&W top break revolver #602xx, can anyone tell me date of mfg?
Thanks.
[email protected]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, santaquinkid! Please start a new thread for your inquiry, but first look at the sticky post at the top of the forum on how to identify your gun and put that information in your new thread. S&W serial numbers were duplicated among their models. So, a .32 top break can have the same serial number as a .38 top break. That's why we need more information before we can answer your questions.

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629