For fellow fans of the Bicycle Revolver, I have an article on them in the October, 2020 (issue 20) FIREARMS NEWS.

It was a great article. I really loved the railroad bent. Took an already interesting subject and weaved it into a bigger context.

That said, before I was done reading the article, I was thinking “maybe I need a few of these...” the temptation was thoroughly unwelcome.

I mean, who hasn't thought about needing at least one of those?

Good to see you are still writing, Leroy.
Remember reading your stuff back in the day.

My copy of the October "Firearms News" says issue No. 19 and nothing in it about Bicycle Revolvers. What gives ? Did you mean November issue ? Ed

I think he did mean issue 20 the November one.

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Randy

I have one, and I carry it when I ride my Bicycle

I just wish I had a same time period Bicycle to keep things right!

We do not get "Firearms News" here in Australia. Could someone PM me a copy of the article if that's permissible so I can read it. I've never heard of Bicycle Revolvers before. Thanks.

FN often has two issues a month--the title page does say October and #20

I would like to read the article. Where can I find it. I can read it to my two little ones at bedtime. The 38 went to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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Don Mundell

LeRoy, Why not post the article here, or post a link to it on FN's web page. Ed

I have this article in my saved bookmarks, is this the same article?

https://www.rockislandauction.com/ri...n-bicycle-guns

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U.S. Coast Guard, retired CPO

Because of FN's size the articles are too large for my scanner; however, a lot of my articles get posted on their website a few weeks after they appear--see link. Leroy

Firearms News

No link to read the article, too bad...
Here's my 2nd Model, 2"~I've had it for at least 3 decades!
I was standing in a gun shop in Springfield, Oregon and in walked a fellow with a, "pistol I want to sell". The counterman took one look at it and said, "No thanks". I followed the guy out front and bought it for $100. I didn't know much about it but was aware of the Bicycle Revolver. It was perhaps the third antique S&W I ever owned and the second Safety Hammerless .32 ~~

I beleive the first S&W safety hammerless, shipped as a special order with a 2 in. Bbl, was serial # 53232 shipped Aug. 25, 1894, to Mr. D. Armstrong.( Roy Jinks says " Very unusual for a gun to be shipped to an individual") .It is listed in the manufacturing log as being made on Nov. 21, 1890. Ser# 52204 was shipped on Oct. 21, 1895. A earlier pair of 1 1/2 inch Bbl guns were shipped to a Bank as a special order. 1900 was the first catalog to mention the availability of 2 inch bbls. Early shipped 2 inch bbl guns have the patent stampings on the barrel rib and extending back across the top strap, using the die from the .32DAs. Stampings of this info on the sides of the barrels did not happen until later. I have 35 2in Bbl guns in my data base 1893-1937 era. Ed

Yep just read that! FN is the last gun magazine I subscribe to and have sent to the house.

Great article. FN seems to be keeping the candle lit. They had an article on the Registered Magnum earlier this year (or perhaps late last year). They salt lots of info on M&Ps and such in their regular articles on military small arms.

Of course, this brings more people "into the know" and increases competition for the collectible guns. Which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on your slant on the subject.

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Psalm 27:2

The RM article was mine, too. I think that one is on the FN website. FN is one of the few magazines that still does historical articles. I have a couple of others coming up at some point. One is on the Colt New Service .38 Specials used by the Border Patrol and another is on the USAF Model 15s. I think the latter is scheduled for a Vietnam special issue. FN schedules articles a long out so those may be months down the road.

By the way, because of copyright issues I can't post articles I've sold to magazines.

Is this Article 'on line' anywhere?

Just need another picture, some lucky person has just recently purchased this one, hopefully someone from the Forum.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

What's the value range for these should I come across one someday? Not my area of expertise but I admire these enough such that I would add one to my collection--at the right price.

Ian, To have any value, a 2 incher must letter and have the barrel number matching the rest of the gun's numbers and no "rework/repair " dates stamped on the left grip frame. Having said that there's probably 10, or more, cut barrel guns out there for each original 2 incher. Auction sales of nice original 90% or better, 2 inchers, with the creds I stated, seem to run from $1500 up to $3000 range if they have their original box. If you find a factory engraved one, the sky's the limit. Ed

High Wheelers are not for the faint of heart. My uncle had a few and tried to teach me how to ride, I did finally get the hang of it but it is tricky. The only suspension is the springs in the seat, hard rubber tires. If you remember back to your days of riding a tricycle, remember you could go much faster by standing on the step between the wheels and pushing with you foot, not unlike riding a skateboard. Like a tricycle there is no brake if you override the pedals which is a highly dangerous technique. On downhill sections where your speed overrides the pedals you can put your legs over the handlebars in case you get in a rut, hit a rock or anything that inhibits the large front wheel from turning, this is where "doing a header" comes from because you will be launched over the handlebars head first, with your legs over the handlebars you can at least hit the ground feet first.

This is why I have generally steered clear of these.

However, I think a good indication of originality are barrel markings on both sides of the barrel, as opposed to on the rib. I suppose, like anything, this too can be faked.

I have this homely one. Haven't lettered it, but pretty sure it's legit.

32 safety hammerless bicycle (4).jpg

32 safety hammerless bicycle 2.jpg

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

It was all about 'Safety Bicycles' by then though! ( Which we may be sure, everyone was quite happy about! )...1890s through 'teens...

I used to see lovely original garage-kept 1890s through 19-ohs Bicycles for sale cheap at the old Pomona Swap Meet back in the late 1980s though mid 1990s, and oddly enough I remember buying one for 80 bucks, but I can not remember for sure what happened with it..!

I remember buying it, inspecting it closely, being SO happy...they had such lovely details and engineering...wacky Brakes usually...but who cares?

I t-h-i-n-k I gave it to a girlfriend at the time, darn it...

Ohhhh, eeeeesh!

I like it! I'll even come pick it up and give it a good home.

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Don Mundell

Looks legit to me...I'd have no doubts about this one.

It is an early one too..!

Nice!!

Did S & W ever offer the Safety Hammerless / New Departure in .22 Rim Fire?

I do not recall ever seeing one if they did, and it would sure be a fun Calibre for a Bicycle Gun or other Safety Hammerless / New Departure Model.

Homely, not homeless.. so far I'm keeping her...if that changes I'll let you know...

Robert

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Even rarer are the 1.5" Bicycle Revolvers, which letter. I show two of those I own in the article. I always have trouble posting photos on this site so if someone wants to PM me an email I'll send a photo and you can post it.

That's why I showed the pic with the barrel lettering on the side and not on the top of the barrel. A sure sign of original configuration for a short barrel.
I'll also mention that with .32 Safety's short barrels seem to be more common and the .38 Safety's extra long barrel are more often seen.

The 'squeezers' are the only antique S&W's I've kept. The are not very valuable, they are fit and finished like Swiss watches, with pins the size of sewing needles and I find them delightful!

I got permission to post a link to the article

S&W Snub-Nose Bicycle Revolvers — Elegant and Vintage

Just sent for a factory letter on a 1-1/2” .38 S&W Safety Hammerless SN 259XXX. No writing on barrel, pinned front sight. Thanks for making your article available.

I have showed this before. It's a .38 Safety Hammerless. So far it's the only one we've lettered with factory pearls. It was shipped in a 32 Safety Hammerless box. I bought this from Dr. Jinks.

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	38 Safety Hammerless box.jpg (69.6 KB, 28 views)

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Don Mundell

I may have posted these before. A .32 1.5", shipped 2/4/1928 and a .38, shipped 11/30/1928. Both of these are lettered, the .32 lettered with factory pearl grips, the .38 with checkered hard rubber grips.

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436

Thank you, Leroy

I am fortunate enough to have one of these. It is a 38 safety hammerless 4th model. Very cool little gun.

I got so inspired by the original postings that I picked up a fairly nice .38 safety hammer-less, took it to my favorite local gun wizard and am in the process of having it turned into a re-make of the bike revolver and will keep a weather eye peeled for an original. He called me to report that he purchased the proper cutter to re-install the front sight in its new shortened barrel, that has been cut and properly crowned. The markings on the top of the barrel are going to not match up as the original but it will still be a neat little piece, his work is usually very good.

Wow. Thanks for the article. I remember reading your stuff a LONG time ago. In particular, I remember an article about crossdraw, and how you could have your hand on the gun's grip while crossing your arms. Don't ask me how I remember that.
I still ride a bike and carry a 38 snubbie so this is pertinent stuff. Keep up the good work!