Help identifying top break S&W please

[mruss90]

I'm having trouble identifying an old top break S&W revolver. It seems like I keep finding something close but one or two parts seem different. In case you can read in the picture, the barrel says the following:

SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. USA PATD JAN 17 & 24. 65. JULY 11. 65. AUG 24. 69. FEB 20 1877. REISSUE JULY 25. 1871

PATD APR 20 78 & DEC 18 1877

american-firearms.com shows the same pistol with a different grip listed as a model 1 1/2, .32 double action 2nd issue. My searches of this model bring up a different gun.

On another forum I did find an identical looking gun and the general consensus was that it was a model 2 series 2. Only problem I find here is that my barrel is 3.5 inches and I can only find 3.25, 4, 5, & 6 inch barrel lengths.

Lastly, the serial number is in the 13,000's. If anyone can lead me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

[gmborkovic]

Please post some pics of the inside of those great looking grips. Thanks

[DocB]

If the grips are period to the gun, it was produced between 1880 and 1885. That's a rough estimate as to when Smith was actually using these grips. Since I wasn't around back then, I can't add anything based upon experience. The SN is pretty low. One of our experts will have to provide more and better information. I would say the gun is worth around $300 without the grips. The grips would likely bring close to $300 by themselves. Red mottled grips are sort of rare.

[1891SingleShot]

What you have is simply known as a Smith & Wesson .32 Double Action Second Model. They were made from 1880-1882. Now, this info is coming from the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th Edition and it says these were made with a 3-inch barrel. Then under the variations it says that 50 were shipped to MW Robinson in September of 1881 with 3 1/2" barrels. Maybe yours was one of those? MW Robinson was one of S&W's largest distributors. If the grips are serial numbered to the pistol, that will add to the value as the mottled grips do bring a premium. Also, I would guess the 3 1/2" barrel would bring a premium. I collect these old top-breaks, and they just don't seem to bring the money that one would think. I would guess a similar one like yours with standard features would bring $200-$300, and yours with the 3 1/2" barrel and mottled grips would bring more. In the condition yours is in, which appears to be good, honest wear, maybe another $100-$200??? Hope this gives you some insight.

[1891SingleShot]

Take a look at this post and you might gain some insight on whether your grips are original or reproduction.

Red Mottled Floral "Peacock" grips

[mruss90]

Yall, I appreciate everyone's input, gmborkovic here are those pics you wanted. 1891SingleShot, thanks for directing me to that other post, I cant believe someone was asking about the exact same grips 2 days ago. Do you happen to know about the authenticity of these grips or how I could tell?

[gmborkovic]

Hello mruss and welcome to the Forum. And thanks for pics. I dont have
any of the floral design, all of mine are checked. Our interest in these
grips will enable us in our search. Are yours real? I have not a clue, sorry.

[Wiregrassguy]

Your grips should look like the ones in this thread.

[1891SingleShot]

mruss90, I can't tell you either if they are original or not, but judging by your pics, they seem to appear to be the same grips that they called 'old reproduction' in the other post. Seems to be the same pattern, coloring, and the backside looks the same. Looks like the originals have the flat ridge around the outside whereas yours seem to be more flat. Maybe someone will respond who knows about these old grips.

[mruss90]

Wiregrassguy, are you sure those are the only type? Because after 1891SingleShot mentioned what he had found in Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th Edition, I looked for myself. Under variations it shows:

"Floral/Wild Turkey Grips: A few will be found with unusual hard rubber grips bearing the S&W logo, but with a floral pattern rather than checkering and with pictures of wild turkeys in the floral pattern."

I can clearly see the floral pattern and S&W logo, and I can make out what I believe to be two bird (not gonna call them turkeys). I've highlighted them in pictures for yalls opinion.

[Wiregrassguy]

No, I'm not sure.

Guy

[gmborkovic]

Sure does look like a bird but with a long beak. Who in the heck knows what guys were doing back then. Still handsome grips.