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Old 08-24-2018, 08:44 PM
flintlockman flintlockman is offline
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Default S&W Bicycle Revolver Identification

I have attached photos of an S&W Bicycle revolver that I paid a wino $10.00 for back in the 60s, I believe 1969. He was carrying two paper bags, one with a bottle of wine and the other turned out to contain the unloaded revolver. I had the Atlanta, Georgia police check to make sure it wasn't stolen and it wasn't. It was covered in dust and obviously hadn't been fired in many years. He wanted $50.00, but I only paid him $10.00. The SN is 127696 and it has a 3-inch barrel. All matching numbers.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Bicycle Left Side.jpg (81.2 KB, 205 views)
File Type: jpg Bicycle Right Side.jpg (85.8 KB, 157 views)
File Type: jpg Bicycle Top 2.jpg (47.9 KB, 146 views)
File Type: jpg Bicycle Cylinder Rear.jpg (35.4 KB, 113 views)
File Type: jpg Bicycle Butt.jpg (34.2 KB, 105 views)
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Old 08-24-2018, 10:13 PM
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I was always told that the name of this revolver was S&W Safety Hammerless Bicycle Revolver. I've now read that the Bicycle revolvers were limited to the 2-inch barrel models and that the correct name is Safety Hammerless.
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Old 08-25-2018, 08:38 AM
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The Bicycle Gun was only the 2" barrel version of the 32 Safety Hammerless model. You will see them occasionally and I am adding a picture of what to look for. Your gun is simply called a 32 Safety Hammerless, 2nd Model, made around 1905.
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File Type: jpg P1010005b.jpg (147.8 KB, 95 views)
File Type: jpg P1010013.jpg (85.0 KB, 83 views)
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Old 08-25-2018, 02:57 PM
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As Gary said, only the 2 in. barreled version of the Safety Hammerless model is the 'Bicycle" gun. Your Safety Hammerless "New Departure" 2nd. model has the more common 3 1/4 in barrel. The first 2 in. barreled S&W Safety Hammerless guns were the 1st model versions and were special ordered. Serial number 53252, shipped June 18, 1893 to Dale & Gale Scoverling NYC, is believed to be the first 2 in.
Safety Hammerless shipped. Early 2 in.guns had the barrel rib stamping extend over the top strap, as the stamping roll die of the longer barreled guns was used. A short die had not yet been made. Ed.
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Old 08-25-2018, 03:45 PM
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This one shows the barrel stamping on the side, where it primarily is located on a 2".

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Old 08-25-2018, 10:03 PM
Driftwood Johnson Driftwood Johnson is offline
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Howdy

This 32 Safety Hammerless Bicycle Gun shipped in December of 1909.








Here are two close ups of the barrel markings.








I don't know exactly when this nickle plated one shipped. It has been refinished.






Unfortunately the refinisher was overly aggressive when he polished it and the S&W logo on the frame has been all but rubbed away.






They were called Bicycle Guns because they were very small, and could be easily concealed when pursuing the new fad of riding bicycles. A Bicycle Gun could be deployed quickly to protect Daisy from ruffians and aggressive dogs.

This is my favorite advertisement of the day.


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Old 08-27-2018, 02:58 PM
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What is interesting is the Stevens Bicycle Gun (their Model 35) usually came with a long barrel (~ 10") and a detachable wire shoulder stock.

Different ideas of what a cyclist needed, I guess.
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Old 08-27-2018, 03:47 PM
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The really neat ones have the address rolled on the top of the barrel rib.
Only had one.
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Old 08-28-2018, 10:03 AM
flintlockman flintlockman is offline
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Mine has the address and patents rolled on top of the barrel rib.
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Old 08-28-2018, 10:11 AM
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Please post a picture of the top of the barrel rib.
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Old 08-30-2018, 08:05 PM
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The photo is already posted. Please see my first post, 3rd photo.
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Old 08-30-2018, 09:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flintlockman View Post
The photo is already posted. Please see my first post, 3rd photo.
Sorry, that must have been one of my confused days. Forgot you had a standard length barrel.
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Old 08-31-2018, 01:32 AM
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Mine has the patent dates on the left side of the barrel, and nothing on the right side or the top. It is a .32 S&W (not Long). .32 S&W Bicycle Gun

.32 S&W Bicycle Gun-2017-08-07-17-00_p2510806-jpg

.32 S&W Bicycle Gun-2017-08-07-17-01_p2510808-jpg

.32 S&W Bicycle Gun-2017-08-07-17-01_p2510809-jpg

.32 S&W Bicycle Gun-2017-08-07-17-01_p2510809a-jpg

.32 S&W Bicycle Gun-2017-08-07-17-02_p2510810-jpg
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