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S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


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Old 03-10-2017, 11:18 PM
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How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver  
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Default How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver

I just bought a 32 S&W caliber revolver. It appears to be a New Departure model with 3 in h barrel. Serial number is 215008. The gun appears to be in 90%shape. No rust. Cylinder is tight. Rotates just fine. Should I shoot it or just add it to my collection?


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Old 03-10-2017, 11:43 PM
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If it's mechanically safe and you can find good ammo, I say fire away! It won't hurt the revolver.
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Old 03-11-2017, 04:38 PM
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Nice looking Safety Hammerless, or as they are also known, 'Lemon Squeezer'. I say shoot it and then add it to your collection!!!
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Old 03-11-2017, 07:59 PM
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How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver How old is my New Departure Double Action Revolver  
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welcome to the Forum. Actually, the 32 Double Action is the name for a similar revolver, but had a hammer. As stated above, you have a 32 Safety Hammerless, Third Model, shipped around World War I, maybe 1918. Very nice shape and uncommon to find these in blue. I don't think you have to worry about a next to new-in-the-box revolver being safe to shoot.

Forgot to add that some members take personal offense to the term Lemon Squeezer, but acceptable for cheap S&W copies.
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Old 03-12-2017, 09:14 AM
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My local gun shop had two boxes of 32 cal target revolver ammo so I bought one box. I'll try shooting the gun on my next trip to the range.


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Old 03-15-2017, 07:21 PM
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One thing I noticed is that the S&W logo is not stamped on the right side plate. Of my gun. Why might that be the case?


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Old 03-15-2017, 08:09 PM
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Around the Great War (WWI), the factory suspended using the S&W logo stampings on the frame. They returned around 1919, but your gun shipped during the war. All logos were suspended on all models for those war years. I have no idea why they stopped, but maybe someone has a good reason.
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Old 03-28-2017, 10:40 PM
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Shot my revolver today. Zero on! Every cylinder fired every time. Bullets flew to where I aimed. I'm very pleased🤠


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Old 03-29-2017, 07:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glowe View Post
Around the Great War (WWI), the factory suspended using the S&W logo stampings on the frame. They returned around 1919, but your gun shipped during the war. All logos were suspended on all models for those war years. I have no idea why they stopped, but maybe someone has a good reason.
My New Departure first model, s/n 303xx, which was made somewhere around 1892-1893 has no logo stamped on the right side of the frame (or anywhere else other than on the black rubber grips for that matter).
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Old 03-29-2017, 07:37 AM
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Don't know a thing about those things, but always intrigued to see them on the forum. Looks like a beauty to me
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Old 03-29-2017, 08:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SkipD1 View Post
My New Departure first model, s/n 303xx, which was made somewhere around 1892-1893 has no logo stamped on the right side of the frame (or anywhere else other than on the black rubber grips for that matter).
I believe that most 1st Model 32s lacked the S&W frame logo. Some say that the logo stamping started on this model around the time the gold medallions started showing up on the pearl stocks - 1893.
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