Help with revolver

Rusty Britches · #1 03-05-2021, 02:59 AM

Hi everyone. I have a top break, exposed hammer revolver. The serial number is 161938 with a star under the numbers. It's a 32 s&w ctg., with a 3 inch barrel. the top of the barrel reads Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass.USA. The bluing is coming off, but the action is tight and strong. The bore has good rifling and no pits. I've included some pictures,thank you for any information you can give me.

murphydog · #2 03-05-2021, 04:32 AM

The model name is a .32 Double Action, and the serial number puts it in the middle of the 4th model production run of 1883-1909, so it is from sometime in the mid-1890 decade.

The star stamping indicates it went back to the factory for significant work, including but not always a refinish, and placed there so the gun could not be resold as new.

StrawHat · #3 03-05-2021, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphydog

...The star stamping indicates it went back to the factory for significant work, including but not always a refinish, and placed there so the gun could not be resold as new...

Every time I come to this site, I learn something. Thank you for sharing that.

Kevin

glowe · #4 03-05-2021, 10:25 AM

As Alan stated, you have a 32 Double Action, 4th Model and it most likely shipped around 1892-1893. It is classified as an Antique by the BATF and all but a couple states. The cut off for antique status is any 32 DA made before serial number 209,301.

Check it over carefully, but I suspect that it will shoot just fine and in normal times ammunition is not hard to find.

BMur · #5 03-05-2021, 11:46 AM

If this gun shipped in the 1890's?

1)Why does it have a POST 1909 5th model integrated front site barrel lacking patent dates?

2) Why does it have a POST 1902 caliber stamp on the barrel?

So, my next question is :

3) Do all the serial numbers match? Especially that post 1909 barrel???

If the numbers match then it was re-barreled when it went back to the factory and if so it went back after 1909 and had a "MAJOR RE-WORK" performed.

Also, and this is important!!! if the numbers do match this gun is "ROCK SOLID PROOF" that when a gun was re-worked, the factory "DID NOT "follow "existing patents" before the gun left, after the re-work....they just fixed it and perhaps refinished it.... Reason being notice the right side frame "DOES NOT" have the Smith and Wesson logo stamp....That should have been stamped if it was re-worked with a logo since it was performed after 1909 and all revolvers received a logo stamp at that time.

I think that barrel is very suspect but if it has matching serial numbers then this gun tells us a lot about factory re-works.

Murph

Club Gun Fan · #6 03-05-2021, 11:50 AM

Neat gun. They made a lot of these. I'd guess it shipped in 1890.
Depending on when it went back, and for what reason, If it needed a new barrel and no old parts were available, they very well could have put a later barrel on. Remember, the Service Department keep parts off of repaired guns for future Club Guns or repairs.

BMur · #7 03-05-2021, 12:04 PM

Ahhhh,
I think I'm seeing some nickel finish on the butt frame next to the serial numbers fellas. That's a problem!

Murph.

Rusty Britches · #8 03-05-2021, 04:15 PM

The serial number on the cylinder, the barrel catch and the grips all match. The shine on the bottom of the grip handle is where the bluing is gone. I couldn't find any thing else on the barrel.

Rusty Britches · #9 03-05-2021, 04:22 PM

If it was sent back to the factory for repair, would S&W have any records of it?

Club Gun Fan · #10 03-05-2021, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Britches

If it was sent back to the factory for repair, would S&W have any records of it?

Yes, but, I would have to know the month and year it went back. It should be stamped of the frame. I would then have to go to the museum and do a hand search thru the repair invoices hoping to find one that would have the serial number listed. Most repair invoices to not list the sn.

rct269 · #11 03-05-2021, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Britches

The serial number on the cylinder, the barrel catch and the grips all match. The shine on the bottom of the grip handle is where the bluing is gone. I couldn't find any thing else on the barrel.

Given this is a replacement barrel, I suspect it may or may not carry a serial number-----and given it was refinished, it more than likely does. (That ought to keep things going for awhile!!)

So----IF the barrel has a serial number, it will be found at the rear of the barrel---inside the recess where the latch lives. If it's there, you will see it after you open the gun, hold it by the barrel, hold the latch up/open, and peer at the vertical surface at the rear of the barrel---on the right side---or both sides if they ran out of room on the right side. Good lighting is a must!! A magnifying glass wouldn't hurt.

And assuming it has a number, is it the same as the other numbers-----and if not, what is it?

Ralph Tremaine

Rusty Britches · #12 03-06-2021, 12:47 AM

OK I looked on the frame and there are three numbers. The numbers are either 6.20 or 8.20. I took the cylinder, and the barrel latch off, and the serial numbers on the barrel match the rest of the revolver. here are the best pictures I could get.

BMur · #13 03-06-2021, 01:41 AM

Wow,
Congratulations Rusty Britches,

I'm amazed there is a matching number on the barrel. You have yourself a very unique antique revolver. I am also equally surprised that the factory did not stamp the frame with a logo.

Murph

mmaher94087 · #14 03-06-2021, 11:52 AM

Also note the 'B' in the diamond.

Muley Gil · #15 03-06-2021, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

Neat gun. They made a lot of these. I'd guess it shipped in 1890.
Depending on when it went back, and for what reason, If it needed a new barrel and no old parts were available, they very well could have put a later barrel on. Remember, the Service Department keep parts off of repaired guns for future Club Guns or repairs.

I know the factory did this in the early 1970s as well. My dad bought a post WW II .38 M&P and the clerk sold him a box of SuperVel ammo, saying it was the best stuff around. We went out to shoot it; dad fired 6 shots, I fired 6 shots and my mom fired 1 shot and it jammed. The forcing cone had split. Yeah, lucky #13.

The dealer sent it back to Springfield and it came back with a barrel with the mini ramp front sight, instead of the half moon.

Rusty Britches · #16 03-06-2021, 08:38 PM

Thank you for for all the help and information. I'm learning so much.