32 2" new departure....pictures added post 10.....Weird gun

[weatherby]

Saw a really nice one 98% or thereabouts and didn't buy "yet" should I ?
It's nickel very late production 3rd model
Is This what they would call a bicycle gun and what would be a good price ?

[raljr1]

if it is an honest 2" barreled piece, I've seen them up to and over $1000

[weatherby]

Thanks Robert
Appreciate the input on it.
It was definitely out of my knowledge base.
The price is too good not to buy then.
I think I'll put my ski mask on now. Go to bed and wait for them to open.

[raljr1]

make sure that the stamping is on the side of the barrel, and not on the top and cutoff.

and share pictures.

[weatherby]

Will do and thanks for the tips you've helped a lot.

[raljr1]

'Here is mine. old, ugly, and blued. notice the barrel stampings.

Should you decide you don't want the one you're looking at, I would love to have a shiney one...

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[merl67]

Here is my late one it has obviously been refinished as the trigger guard is plated.

[weatherby]

Thanks for the pictures I appreciate them.
Randy those MOP grips look stellar.

[H Richard]

Paul:
The SCSW4 shows values for a 2nd Model (most common) to range from $400 (VG), to $1000 (LNIB), and a 2" to be 2X to 3X those values.

I have a 2nd Model in about 98% and would hope to get in the $800 - $900 for it. Look to see if the patent dates are on the side of the barrel. I understand there were some where patent dates were put on the top, but look to see of are complete as some have been cut down. Neat little guns, Dick

[weatherby]

So I did pick it up.

Must be the blind man version.....sightless.

I do have a bunch of 32 S&W ammo I can make noise with though.

Also it's been refinished maybe I can drill and tap for a shotgun bead or weld some target sights on.

[murphydog]

Cool gun. I bet a gunsmith could find an original front sight blade and install it - is there a slot in the top rib for one?

[weatherby]

There isn't Alan definitely on the weird side I think. It's what I get for living close to the factory.
The bore and cylinder walls are minty though.

[gmborkovic]

There have been a few pics of 2" 32s posted with correct top barrel addresses. Yours has been cut and really re-nickeled. I have one.
Its kinda like a mini pre-38, Body Guard. It will blow the pocket out of your coat.

[merl67]

It has been back to the factory at least once. That one appears to have a
1 1/2 inch barrel can I see a picture of the muzzle? Before you do anything make for sure it didn't leave the factory this way

[weatherby]

Of course you can Randy
The barrel markings are odd but centered

[glowe]

That barrel will likely measure 1 1/2"+/-, but not 2", so cut and of low value except for people like me who are suckers for nice looking cut barrel S&Ws!

I would have to get out the dremel tool and cut that slot to add the front sight, then you really would have a prize.

[merl67]

Originally Posted by glowe

That barrel will likely measure 1 1/2"+/-, but not 2", so cut and of low value except for people like me who are suckers for nice looking cut barrel S&Ws!

I would have to get out the dremel tool and cut that slot to add the front sight, then you really would have a prize.

It doesn't have a rear sight so would a front sight help that much? So there is no possible way it left the factory this way without sights? There are some 1 1/2 models known to exist, but I have yet to see pictures of any.

[weatherby]

I certainly know how to pick them....lol
Any idea on the barrel markings ?
Certainly aren't what I'm seeing on the others.....school me.
Never heard of a 1 1/2 either.
Help.......lol

[weatherby]

Gary it was 160 OTD.....low value.

[H Richard]

That price is fine, and you got a really fun little gun. It's been cut down, and refinished but I wouldn't have passed it up. Since it isn't designed to shoot past (at most) 15 yards, I wouldn't put a front sight on it.

[weatherby]

What is with the no rear sight on it?
A lot I'm not getting about it.
The barrel markings, no indication of sights ever.
The cylinder and latch numbers match.
Is the barrel numbered if I take out cylinder?

So much I don't get on this as I don't know them at all.
The barrels been cut ?
From what to have these markings ?
Also like Randy no front or rear sight ?

[merl67]

Originally Posted by weatherby

I certainly know how to pick them....lol
Any idea on the barrel markings ?
Certainly aren't what I'm seeing on the others.....school me.
Never heard of a 1 1/2 either.
Help.......lol

Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition page 80 bottom left page in the 32 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model section auction block list one that sold with 1-1/2 barrel sold for $2070 in 2006. I haven't found any pictures yet. I would still like to see the front of the barrel muzzle to see how it has been cut.

[raljr1]

Hell, at $160 I would have bought it...the parts are worth more than that to one who needs then.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[merl67]

Originally Posted by weatherby

Of course you can Randy
The barrel markings are odd but centered

That muzzle sure looks factory to me not saying someone outside the factory couldn't do it, but if they did they sure knew what they were doing, most you see are cut flush with the rib this one has the rib set back which is how the factory would have done it the barrel markings on this one are well centered. Interesting either way $160 is a great deal.

[weatherby]

Not sure what this is was or could be but just looked up 1 1/2 safety hammerless and the barrel marking on the left is the same !!!!

[glowe]

Originally Posted by weatherby

What is with the no rear sight on it? . . .

The top latch had rear sight on it that has been removed. I would look for another top latch with a sight for $20 and put it on the gun. The latch on a nickel gun would have been blue as would the trigger and guard. The barrel cut to such a short length would have the front sight and notch left on the part off the barrel that the owner threw away. The lack of what would have been left of the top barrel roll stamp was that it was taken off before the gun was refinished. Lots to take in, but most of what you see and don't see is because of the modifications made to the gun post-factory.

As for the muzzle, I think the top rib looks sloppy and not finished the way the factory did. No way it is a factory gun

[weatherby]

Ok Gary some I "may" get but what of the barrel markings with just
Smith&Wesson on the left side?


I appreciate the input and trying to get that.

[glowe]

Later 32 Safety, 3rd Model revolvers had SMITH & WESSON stamped on the barrel, plus the address stamped on the rib.

[weatherby]

Originally Posted by glowe

Later 32 Safety, 3rd Model revolvers had SMITH & WESSON stamped on the barrel, plus the address stamped on the rib.

There is nothing stamped on the rib. The S&W is centered.
I'm still not getting it.

I know nothing of these but it still seems odd to me.
I mean what would they cut a 2" barrel to 1 1/2" ?
wouldn't part of what was left of the front sight remain?

[glowe]

Many cut barrel S&Ws have the barrel address removed during the process. A conscientious gunsmith would remove the partial address before refinishing.

[weatherby]

Originally Posted by glowe

Many cut barrel S&Ws have the barrel address removed during the process. A conscientious gunsmith would remove the partial address before refinishing.

I really seem to pick up fruitcakes near the factory.
so O chance at all that this was originally A 1 1/2" ?
I didn't think it was sloppy either and included another picture if it helps.
I keep looking at the barrel markings too and don't think they could be centered so well if not ?

sorry to be a pain but very hard for me to figure some aspects out on a gun I don't know at all

[mmaher94087]

The barrel was cut from a longer barrel. All 3rd Model Safety Hammerless revolvers with barrels longer than 2" had Smith & Wesson on the left side and .32 S&W Ctg. on the right. It does not matter if the original barrel was 3 1/4, 4, 5, 6" or longer as the stampings shown were all applied in the same location. Shortening any of the longer barrels to 2" will leave those stamps centered on the sides of the barrel. The longer barrels had the S&W name and patent dates centered on the top rib of the barrel and were cut off in shortening. A TRUE 3rd Model, 2", will have a one-line, S&W name, address and patent date on the right and .32 S&W Ctg. on the left. The sight is forged with the barrel but pinned front sights are known to exist.

[weatherby]

Originally Posted by mmaher94087

The barrel was cut from a longer barrel. All 3rd Model Safety Hammerless revolvers with barrels longer than 2" had Smith & Wesson on the left side and .32 S&W Ctg. on the right. It does not matter if the original barrel was 3 1/4, 4, 5, 6" or longer as the stampings shown were all applied in the same location. Shortening any of the longer barrels to 2" will leave those stamps centered on the sides of the barrel. The longer barrels had the S&W name and patent dates centered on the top rib of the barrel and were cut off in shortening. A TRUE 3rd Model, 2", will have a one-line, S&W name, address and patent date on the right and .32 S&W Ctg. on the left. The sight is forged with the barrel but pinned front sights are known to exist.

Thanks that helps me understand better for sure.
Now would a 1 1/2" one be back a bit further?
IE should the markings still be centered with a cut barrel of any length to 1 1/2"
For some reason I think I could notice some variance ?
I just checked and the markings are "perfectly" centered.
That's been the crux for me in getting this.

[Boulder350]

Here is a link to a couple of lettered 1 1/2" barreled 32's.

.32 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model, 1 1/2"

My guess is the 1 1/2" barrel was always special ordered so there are no rules on barrel markings for this barrel length.

[weatherby]

Thanks Mark and I saw that both of those had unmarked barrels as Mike stated.

I had wondered why someone would have the work done and then not finished the job with sights. I'm thinking now they may have just been going for more concealable.

I'll be interested to see how it shoots with none and some BP rounds.

[glowe]

The factory would not have manufactured a sightless barrel for a 32 Safety. Things that point to post-factory modifications include that there was no slot for the front sight, the rear sight was removed simply by filing off the sight on the top latch, the barrel was cut, the gun was improperly refinished because the latch, trigger, and guard were originally blued.

Attached are pictures of some of my 32 Safeties showing the barrel stamping as I had mentioned above. The SMITH & WESSON stamp was always located at the rear of the barrel no matter what the barrel length. Late 3rd Model examples show that the roll stamping was moved slightly forward, but comparing it with your stamp, I assume you have an earlier 3rd Model.

Take a look at the photos of original factory guns and you will see several differences between them and yours. First, is an image of two 2nd Model Safeties showing location of the left side barrel S&W roll stamp. Second, is a 3rd Model showing blued parts (plated on your gun). Third is the original single line address (removed on your gun) and rear sight (removed on your gun) found on 3rd Model. Fourth, an image is of the muzzle of a 3rd Model (different than your gun). Last my self-serving shot of some of my 32 Safeties.

[H Richard]

Paul:
If you feel even remotely that the 1 1/2" is factory it would be worth a letter to find out. At worst you get a letter telling you exactly what it was when it left the factory, and at best it might raise the value 10 fold. Good Luck.

[weatherby]

Gary there was stuff I realized but a huge amount I didn't that made trying to understand it difficult for me.

I knew from the get go it was renickeled.
I knew the trigger guard and release were wrong going from pictures.

The things I didn't get at all until the end were the rear sight and barrel markings especially the barrel markings. Being centered just didn't make sense to me .

I learned a lot about these from the help given but I had a hard time getting those aspects clear.

Thanks for the help and patience

[raljr1]

I talked to a guy once who said he ground the front sight off of his Colt SAA. Said he just point shot them and never used the sights, so he got them out of the way....

[mmaher94087]

Here is a photo of a 2", Safety Hammerless, 3rd Model barrel address.

[weatherby]

The serial on this is 241828

[nutsforsmiths]

For a absolutely zero snag revolver to be used at very close range, I could see someone wanting to shorten the barrel and remove the rear sight too. That would have made a great pocket revolver for sure with nothing at all to snag while removing it.

I was wondering if an S&W employee might have had this made up for himself? Who knows, but it's interesting and I wouldn't change a thing on it myself.

[H Richard]

Paul: As far as the "Smith & Wesson" being centered on the barrel, look at the bottom #3 which show the "Smith & Wesson" (on a 3" barrel) in exactly the same location.

[weatherby]

I get it now but was used to let's say more modern ones where they are centered.
I didn't know they were all that far back and wasn't getting it until I saw the pictures.

I'll have fun with the gun.

[singleshot1891]

I own the 3rd Model 1.5" pictured in the link in post #34 above, which does indeed letter as a factory 1.5" barrel.
What strikes me is that my pistol carries s/n 241747, and the one in question on this thread carries s/n 241828.
Just a coincidence I suppose, but interesting that these two pieces are only 81 numbers apart.

WB