In search of...

jsgunn52 · #1 10-12-2020, 08:36 PM

I recently inherited several Smiths from Model 1 through Modern. Unfortunately they were in a fire several years ago so involved in a big restore project, no choice but bringing back to white, sniff. Looking for original target grips for the 1891 single shot. Must be original, must be wood. When your all done laughing...any sources ?? Thanks much new to forum JG

rct269 · #2 10-12-2020, 11:15 PM

As one who had an uncommon affection for single shots, I must tell you neither the 1st Model (Model of '91) nor the 2nd Model were fitted with wooden grips. The 3rd Model was (two different styles), as was the 4th Model. And assuming your restoration project includes refinishing, be it blue or nickel, such treatment will reduce the value by half---at a minimum----a bad idea.

Ralph Tremaine

glowe · #3 10-13-2020, 08:49 AM

Welcome to the Forum. We would be very interested in seeing pictures of your Model of 1891. Ralph is correct that many refinishing projects done to vintage S&W or any other brand guns result in value loss. In your case it would be good to see what the finish looks like right now? The results of guns being in a fire or buried in rubble and water will do terrible things to firearms. In some cases, a properly done refinish will raise value and that might be the case with fire damage.

Hard rubber black two screw targets, as shown below, is the ticket for the 1891 SS. You can find them on ebay, but nice condition sets are expensive. Online sites like Vintagegungrips.com sell good looking reproductions at lower prices than originals as well. Good luck.

A10 · #4 10-13-2020, 09:50 AM

Welcome to the Forum!

I'm going to probably ruffle some feathers, but unless the guns have any particular provenance or documented history (if they have been in your family some time you can do the documentation) I say go ahead and restore them. You will probably spend more cashola than they will be worth in the end but it should be some fun projects!

Modified · #5 10-13-2020, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

You can find them on ebay, but nice condition sets are expensive. Online sites like Vintagegungrips.com sell good looking reproductions at lower prices than originals as well.

Be warned: Vintage Gun Grips don't come with escutcheons and are made out of some kind of hard plastic. They look similar to the originals (in pictures), but are just a cast of an original grip, so they require a fair bit of work to be able to even put on your gun, after the purchase of escutcheons and a screw.

Even then, in person, they look very different then the original hard rubber.

Personally, I find the company absolutely reprehensible and warn everyone I know about being careful to check to see if grips that look (and are often sold) as original, are in fact these completely wrong in every way copies which are simply a waste of money unless you are fine with doing the work to fit vaguely correct looking grips to your gun.

Wiregrassguy · #6 10-13-2020, 11:22 AM

NC Ordnance sells a lot of replica grips.

glowe · #7 10-13-2020, 12:04 PM

Well Caleb, sorry for your experiences, but I have two sets of targets from Vintage GG and they cannot be distinguished from my original set except for the lack of escutcheons. True they are only as good as what was used to make the mold, but a set is not all that easy to find in as new condition.

I bought these stocks to use on my 32 HEs at the range and just use #10 machine screws to hold them together.

Scott Upstate · #8 10-13-2020, 01:42 PM

I need some help please trying to find out if a pistol is rare or if it’s worth anything it is an 1882 hammerless lemon squeezer $.32 caliber

Wiregrassguy · #9 10-13-2020, 02:01 PM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Scott! First, I recommend that you start your own thread with pictures of all sides of the gun and post its serial number. You can XX out the last two or three digits if you are uncomfortable making it public. Of course, it is worth something but probably not a lot...maybe up to $200 if it is in very good condition with a 3-1/4 or longer barrel. If a short barrel, could be worth a lot more. All depends on condition and if you have the box.

Scott Upstate · #10 10-13-2020, 07:22 PM

I’m new to this forum stuff, how do I download pictures, condition of gun not the greatest, serial # is 9400

Scott Upstate · #11 10-13-2020, 07:27 PM

Thank you for the welcoming Wiregrass, I do not have the box

Wiregrassguy · #12 10-13-2020, 07:45 PM

You can upload up to five pictures as attachments to your post. Scroll down below the text box and click on go advanced. Click on the paperclip icon and that will allow you to upload attachments from your computer. Make sure your picture sizes are less than 1920 x 1080 pixels and navigate to them on your computer, select and upload each one.

Guy

model3sw · #13 10-13-2020, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsgunn52

I recently inherited several Smiths from Model 1 through Modern. Unfortunately they were in a fire several years ago so involved in a big restore project, no choice but bringing back to white, sniff. Looking for original target grips for the 1891 single shot. Must be original, must be wood. When your all done laughing...any sources ?? Thanks much new to forum JG

Have New / old stock Marbles front sights just need to know if old style or newer style single shot (as Marbles packages are so marked) and have both wood and hard rubber grips. The hard rubber grips I have are from perfect to slightly damaged to repaired (several sets in stock).

Prefer email. Use Topic of "1891 parts"

Best Regards, Sal Raimondi, Sr.

glowe · #14 10-14-2020, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Upstate

I need some help please trying to find out if a pistol is rare or if it’s worth anything it is an 1882 hammerless lemon squeezer $.32 caliber

Welcome to the Forum. I guess we are not going to see a new thread for this one, so there are a few things wrong with your description. First, the S&W 32 Safety Hammerless was not introduced until 1888. With serial number 9400, it would have likely been manufactured in the first or second year of production. Second, the proper name for the 32 hammerless is simply 32 Safety, 1st Model.

As for value, we really do not need to see an image, since the 32 Safety is a very very low value revolver. I am adding an image of a 32 Safety,1st Model that I picked up for $110. It is over 90% nickel, but of little collector interest for several reasons. It was made in very large numbers, almost a quarter-million were made. Second, it is an unpopular caliber, weak and ineffective for most purposes, and third, it is so small that most people have problems just gripping the gun to shoot.

Personally, I really like these little pocket guns, but they can be picked up for very good prices. The images attached show some examples of 32 Safety revolvers. They were made in barrel lengths from 2" to 6" and in nickel and blue. The most valuable being the 2" and 6". Blue guns are seen less often and have a slightly higher value as well. The image of the collection shows that many of this model are found in extremely high condition, mostly because they were left in dresser drawers for their entire life and seldom if ever shot. I believe my highest price paid for a 32 Safety was a perfect 100% nickel 3rd Model with a box and it was $500, so the spread is $100 to $500 for my collection.

Scott Upstate · #15 10-14-2020, 11:13 AM

Thanx Gary