A local gun store had a big (actually small) surprise for sale in the consignment case.

It was a top break 32 Caliber hammer-less revolver.

It looked brand new. Nickel.

No sign of being re-plated.

No sign of ever having been shot.

The grips were pristine. The grip screw looked like it had never seen a screw driver.

The price was $900 -- a lot.

Tiny little thing.

I'm still finding it hard to believe that it was really a 80-120 year old brand new gun.

The store owner, who has been in the business for 40 years plus, says he has never seen anything even close.

I wondered if these old guns had the "N" on the frame under the grips like newer Nickel guns.

But I would never ask to take the grips off for fear of chipping or cracking the perfect grips.

After I handled it a while, I suggested the LGS clerk to use a silicon cloth on it to take my finger prints off. He did.

I knew you were in California. Prices here are off the charts!

Murph

I paid $250 for one like that a few years back...

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I paid a little more for this one. I think it is over priced unless it sold to someone important.

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Don Mundell

When you come right down to it, it doesn't matter what you have to pay for perfection.

We'll pretty much all have more money come the dawn---tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that.

It'll be awhile longer before another perfect gun pops up.

Ralph Tremaine

The price does not matter as long as you are happy with what you have purchased. The enjoyment far outweighs the price we pay IMHO.

I looked for a while for this one. I’ve always admired these revolvers.

Regards,

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turnerriver

Some of these were bought by non gunnies purely for home defense and lived in a sock drawer.

Values of these little .32's can amaze you. Especially if they are the scarcer Bicycle guns. This one sold for more than twice that.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

In my 80+ yrs of collecting guns, the only true regrets I later had was when ever I passed on buying a 100+% mint antique gun no matter the price. I was never sorry later for the times I did buy. Ed

I try to forget all the guns, cars, and beautiful women I have passed up on while cherishing the ones I have been able to call my own.

It is amazing when we find these little jewels in pristine condition. I lucked into this one at a gun show years ago - no signs of ever being fired; looking like it just came off the factory floor. Mine dates from 1921, making it an even 100 years old this year. I call such guns "sock drawer specials".

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

My Grandmother had one of those. Used to toss it in her purse when she walked to the store. Went missing somewhere along the line.

Three years ago, I picked up three 32 Safety revolvers, all in near new condition for just over $900 for all three. The price you mention is well above value, but as stated above, it is worth what you are willing to pay for it.

I forgot to add that this model has the most pristine examples of condition of any S&W. A couple things come to mind. First, they were mostly purchased for home protection and personal carry, so nickel versions held up extremely well. Second, they are not what you would call shooters and, as you can see from the images posted here, high condition examples are plentiful. That fact, coupled with the fact that there were about a quarter-million made, results in low prices paid for this model as compared to almost all other S&W models.

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Gary
SWCA 2515