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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 05-01-2018, 03:27 PM
huskerbob huskerbob is offline
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Default S&W 32 Long CTO

I inherited this pistol from my father. The chrome plating is in very poor shape but the Mother of Pearl grips are in excellent condition.

The cylinder doesn't index properly and the gun will fire some rounds but will not fire consistently on each chamber.

I took the gun to a gunsmith in hopes of restoring it to shooting condition. Unfortunately, he said the gun is too far gone and parts are too rare to be able to restore it.

Other than sentimental value, is a gun like this worth anything?

Thanks!
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Old 05-01-2018, 03:49 PM
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cgt4570 cgt4570 is offline
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First, it says CTG (abbreviation for CARTRIDGE after the .32 caliber designation), not OTG.
Second, if it's chrome, it was refinished by some bumper shop years ago. If it's the factory finish, it is nickel. Can you post pics?

A timing issue like you describe could be a weak spring, worn parts or just a gun full of old, hardened grease.

Some of the parts are very specific and hard to find while others were shared between model changes and used for several decades.
If it really is as rough as you say it is, it has zero collector value and zero shooter value. It might just be a sentimental paper weight.
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Old 05-01-2018, 03:57 PM
gmborkovic gmborkovic is offline
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Worth a lot, yes. It came from Dad. No money can be put on it.
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Old 05-01-2018, 04:04 PM
CapnB CapnB is offline
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huskerbob,
I wouldn’t be too quick to write the old boy off. Not to demean your man, but many gunsmiths don’t possess the necessary experience/expertise to work on these old revolvers. As cgt4575 said, it might be something as simple as a spring or a good cleaning. If you post most of the serial number (i.e. 123XXX), someone with more knowledge than me will come along shortly and give you all kinds of info and recommendations about your dad’s gun. Good shootin’,
Doug

Edit: Looks like you may have already posted and received more info about this gun in another thread. I’d still consider an experienced revolver gunsmith before giving up.

Last edited by CapnB; 05-01-2018 at 04:09 PM.
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Old 05-01-2018, 04:43 PM
huskerbob huskerbob is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cgt4570 View Post
First, it says CTG (abbreviation for CARTRIDGE after the .32 caliber designation), not OTG.
Second, if it's chrome, it was refinished by some bumper shop years ago. If it's the factory finish, it is nickel. Can you post pics?

A timing issue like you describe could be a weak spring, worn parts or just a gun full of old, hardened grease.

Some of the parts are very specific and hard to find while others were shared between model changes and used for several decades.
If it really is as rough as you say it is, it has zero collector value and zero shooter value. It might just be a sentimental paper weight.
Don't think I posted "OTG" but rather I posted "CTO" which is what is stamped on the barrel...as in "32 Long CTO". It's possible what appears to be an "O" is actually a worn "G". But thanks for correcting me.

I said 'chrome' which may in fact be a nickel finish.

The gun has been cleaned thoroughly so I don't think it's dirt, dried grease, etc.

I will post a link to some pictures later in this thread.

If it ends up being nothing more than a paper weight.....that's fine with me. Just thought it would be fun to get it shooting if possible.
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Old 05-01-2018, 04:58 PM
huskerbob huskerbob is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmborkovic View Post
Worth a lot, yes. It came from Dad. No money can be put on it.
I agree. Just thought it would be fun to get it operational.
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Old 05-01-2018, 05:01 PM
huskerbob huskerbob is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CapnB View Post
huskerbob,
I wouldn’t be too quick to write the old boy off. Not to demean your man, but many gunsmiths don’t possess the necessary experience/expertise to work on these old revolvers. As cgt4575 said, it might be something as simple as a spring or a good cleaning. If you post most of the serial number (i.e. 123XXX), someone with more knowledge than me will come along shortly and give you all kinds of info and recommendations about your dad’s gun. Good shootin’,
Doug

Edit: Looks like you may have already posted and received more info about this gun in another thread. I’d still consider an experienced revolver gunsmith before giving up.
I don't recall posting in another thread. If I did it has slipped my mind and I apologize.

Regardless, the S/N is worn but appears to be T9866. That is located on the bottom of the barrel.

There is another number on the bottom of the grip that appears to be 00851.

Last edited by huskerbob; 05-01-2018 at 05:06 PM.
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Old 05-01-2018, 05:21 PM
29aholic 29aholic is offline
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Asked and answered in 2016

Looking for info on this gun please.....
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