Engraved bicycle gun

47knuckle · #1 05-01-2019, 05:02 PM

I bought this one at a local estate auction. Serial is 205560. There are no factory rework dates, and I find no markings that would help me identify the engraver. The gun has a 1 3/4 inch bbl. I've got a 2" bicycle, and have seen a 1.5", but this is my first 1.75" gun. Any comments on the bbl length would be appreciated.

sureshotbob · #2 05-01-2019, 06:04 PM

That is a very nice piece of work! I'd be very happy to own it.

Old_Cop · #3 05-01-2019, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sureshotbob

That is a very nice piece of work! I'd be very happy to own it.

I must agree.

SDH · #4 05-01-2019, 06:35 PM

Very nice~~
Don't know about the integral sight? But I like the revolver.

Jtown · #5 05-01-2019, 07:06 PM

Excellent.
Walt

glowe · #6 05-01-2019, 07:09 PM

Anybody's guess on authenticity, but a factory letter would help a lot. My main concern about the gun is that it has a deep blued trigger. All 32 Safety revolvers from the factory that I have ever seen had case colored triggers. Factory guns usually had address/patent dates stamped either on the barrel rib or on the side of the barrel. There are some engraving experts on this Forum that could comment on the style of engraving, but I have not seen factory engravers from the time-period your gun was made use oak leaves, however, about anything is possible. You will get lots of opinions, but consider getting the historical letter to end speculations like mine.

2" barrels were the standard offering of the 32 Bicycle Gun, but shorter barrels have been reported. Forged front sights were not used until the 3rd Model, made from 1909 to 1937, with serial number range from around 170,000 to 242,981.

Beautiful gun.

H Richard · #7 05-01-2019, 07:19 PM

The engraving gives me the impression of a German influence. I assume with the extensive engraving the entire gun was re-blued on completion, and if done in Europe may have had all parts re-blued, (trigger, hammer, etc). I most certainly wouldn't pass this one up if it was in my price range! With unknown engraver it may be difficult determining value.

mrcvs · #8 05-01-2019, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

The engraving gives me the impression of a German influence. I assume with the extensive engraving the entire gun was re-blued on completion, and if done in Europe may have had all parts re-blued, (trigger, hammer, etc). I most certainly wouldn't pass this one up if it was in my price range! With unknown engraver it may be difficult determining value.

I agree! Very well executed engraving, and I wouldn't mind owning this revolver as well, but unlikely to be factory original or letter as engraved. My initial impression is that the depth of the engraving is such that it would not be engraved as such from the factory and it is executed in a style that would be more common on the European mainland.

shouldazagged · #9 05-01-2019, 09:34 PM

I don't give a hoot if the gun is re-blued or when the engraving was done. It's a little beauty I would love to own, carry and shoot.

And then see that it went to my son when I croaked.

mrchick · #10 05-02-2019, 01:50 AM

Nice find! I would love to own one like it.

steelslaver · #11 05-02-2019, 06:36 AM

I know this. If that was my gun it WOULD NOT be going anywhere with me on a bicycle.

500SNW · #12 05-02-2019, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelslaver

I know this. If that was my gun it WOULD NOT be going anywhere with me on a bicycle.

I'm still one step behind you. I'm wondering why these are called "bicycle gun." Does anybody know the origin of the name? Duh

H Richard · #13 05-02-2019, 09:19 AM

Back at the turn of the century (1900ish) these little short barrels could be easily carried while riding a bicycle, and used to discourage dogs from chasing or attacking you while riding. Or so the story goes.

mmaher94087 · #14 05-02-2019, 11:43 AM

The advertising at the time showed a person riding a bicycle and the caption was along the lines of "good protection".

Daniel Howe · #15 05-02-2019, 12:28 PM

beautiful gun, I would love to own a gun that looked that nice.

BMur · #16 05-02-2019, 02:26 PM

They were definitely advertised as Bicycle guns. I’m out fishing or I’d post a photo. Very popular gun in the 1890’s by various manufacturers. Iver Johnson actually cut the longer barrels at the factory prior to selling them with the 2” bbl because sales were brisk with the bicycle gun barrel length. You can see the barrel address continue into the front site but they have been proven original. Actually earliest variations were titled “ A women’s protector with a drawing of a Victorian Era lady stashing one in her purse!
I agree with the European style. Very tight curls to the vines and banknote in overall style. I wonder if the engraver signed his work? Please look under the grips for a signature? Or initials? Very common to find them there on short barreled guns.

glowe · #17 05-02-2019, 05:05 PM

I think one of the important reasons why the company nicknamed those short barrel Safety revolver Bicycle Guns is because they are perfectly safe to carry and in case of accident while riding, there was no way they would fire. Several early hammer revolvers and many in the late 1890s could fire if dropped on their hammers.

TheHobbyist · #18 05-02-2019, 06:43 PM

I don't know who did the work and echo the thought that it was European (Germany, Austria, etc.). I will state that the quality of engraving is superb and was not a cheap job at the time. Likely re-blued after engraving, but who cares. That is a gem.

BMur · #19 05-02-2019, 07:35 PM

Great early S&W advertising Gary. Never seen that one! I’m torn between feeling sorry for the cyclist crashing his bike and the somewhat comical direction the artist decided to depict the accidental discharge? What were they thinking?

mmaher94087 · #20 05-02-2019, 08:37 PM

There are several items in the ad that have me scratching my head. A few examples: Why is his left hand so big? Why is he, if falling forward(?), landing on his back as the seat is in front of his body; he should be landing with a face-plant? The bicycle isn't a wooden 1700's "Bone Shaker"; so where is the chain and rear sprocket? Handle bars? And as said, the 'discharge' looks suspicious. Poetic license? Thanks Gary for the picture of the ad.

orbruce · #21 05-02-2019, 09:39 PM

Here's a early ad for the Bicycle gun, about 1900 - 1910.

B. Mower

mmaher94087 · #22 05-02-2019, 10:33 PM

Thank you Bruce. This is the ad I remember seeing. Dang! The bicycle is probably worth more than the revolver today.

BMur · #23 05-02-2019, 11:48 PM

Now that women looks like she means business! My kind of Lady!

S&WsRsweet · #24 05-03-2019, 06:25 AM

Great gun very beautiful workmanship .Those ads also were pretty cool guys ,I also never knew exactly why the word bicycle and gun went together but now it makes perfect sense.Overall out of 10 I give this thread a 9 get a letter and update it will be perfect .

mjr · #25 08-29-2020, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

Back at the turn of the century (1900ish) these little short barrels could be easily carried while riding a bicycle, and used to discourage dogs from chasing or attacking you while riding.

Back in the 1890s, there were lots more stray dogs than there are today, and although rabies vaccine dates from 1885, the odds that the dog that just bit your calf was rabid was MUCH higher than is would be today. So apparently it was considered prudent to shoot Man's Best Friend, if your best friend was menacing you.

Dougaz · #26 08-29-2020, 02:35 PM

What a beautiful gun that anyone would love to own ..... Especially me!

Doug

Deceasedeye · #27 08-29-2020, 02:40 PM

I had a piece once that had very similar looking engraving, it was dome in Spain.

Kinman · #28 08-29-2020, 04:52 PM

I have spent some time learning to ride a "High Wheeler", it is an amazing experience and not for the faint of heart. There is only direct drive and no brakes, chain, etc. Accidents were very common and since they were new to the world dogs loved to chase after them and if aggressive could present a clear danger to the cyclist. The term " Doing a Header " is a result of the technique while riding a High Wheeler down hill. Once a high speed was achieved that one could no longer keep up with the pedals, you would put your legs over the handlebars in the event that you hit a hole that would upend the bike, in so doing you were going over the head of the bike and hopefully landing on your feet in order to run and roll. In the early days of the automobile dogs were also a problem, as there were in some cases very low doors or no door at all depending on the model of vehicle. I knew an old boy that drove an open car and ran a rural paper route back in the 20's, he had a big dog on his route that would run out and scare the bejasus out of him, nearly biting him a few times. Someone told him to shoot the dog but he was tender hearted and decided to try another approach. He tied a rag to one of his front spokes of the wooden wheels, when the dog ran out to chase him it made the mistake of grabbing for the rag, it flipped him head over heels never to bother my friend again.

Dosgatos · #29 08-29-2020, 06:10 PM

Here's another bicycle ad, along with one of mine. The finish is a little challenged, but note the patent information on the left side of the barrel. I've seen the same information on the right side also.

mmaher94087 · #30 08-29-2020, 08:51 PM

The barrel addresses for the 2", .32 Safety Hammerless' moved to the left and right side of the barrel depending upon the variation.
The changes:
The 1st Issue had the address on the left in two lines.
The 2nd Issue had the address on the right in two lines.
The 3rd Issue had the address on the right in one line.

This revolver is curious as it has the forged front sight which indicates a 3rd Issue revolver but is lacking the single line address on the right side. Does this mean it was polished off prior to engraving? Interesting revolver that I believe was engraved in Europe.

Rambler42 · #31 08-30-2020, 11:03 AM

I have a .38 DA 4th model that has been cut down to 2 inches at some time in the past. I am always surprised how accurate this short little barrel shoots!

Dosgatos · #32 08-30-2020, 11:56 AM

[QUOTE=mmaher94087;140884849]The barrel addresses for the 2", .32 Safety Hammerless' moved to the left and right side of the barrel depending upon the variation.
The changes:
The 1st Issue had the address on the left in two lines.
The 2nd Issue had the address on the right in two lines.
The 3rd Issue had the address on the right in one line.]

Never say never when it comes to S&W: The revolver #95332 pictured above your post is a 2nd Issue and has the two-line address on the left.

mmaher94087 · #33 08-30-2020, 01:41 PM

I agree when it comes to S&W. The address locations are what is 'normally' found. The 95332 serial is an early 2nd Issue. Someone didn't get the memo.