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S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


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Old 06-16-2022, 10:40 AM
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Default 32 DA Target Revolver

Found a picture of this revolver on line. Someone put in some time to make this one. It has an uncommon front sight that I have seen on the longer barreled 38 guns from the time frame. The rear sight is was modified for target and is windage adjustable. The stocks are carved by a master. Wish there were more pictures and info on it.

Wonder how it would letter.

Does anyone else have a 32 framed target model from this time frame?
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Old 06-16-2022, 10:50 AM
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Default Modified

The shark fin front sight looks factory to me. Typically found on early long barrels. Looks like a 6" barrel. Scarce length. That horizontal line in the barrel with abrasion underneath is kinda spooky though. The barrel might be damaged.

I think the rear sight is a modification. It doesn't look professionally installed to me. It doesn't appear centered. The grips are very interesting.

Murph
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Old 06-16-2022, 10:52 AM
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Not factory original and not well kept, but back in the day, somebody knew exactly what he wanted.
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Old 06-16-2022, 11:11 AM
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There is a similar line on the left side too. Its a 4th model. The lines on both sides plus the bump on the bottom of the barrel makes me wonder if the barrel is bulged.

This one brings back memories for me making me smile. My first post on this forum was for a 38 SA Mexican model I had just purchased with the same sight modifications. Everyone here was very helpful, especially Ralph. Have been hanging out here ever since learning a lot about these old top breaks.
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Old 06-16-2022, 11:16 AM
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A true rear target sight would either have two small screws at the rear of the top latch holding a windage adjustable blade in place, or windage screws on each side of the sight assembly. The style of sight depends on the age of the gun. The image below is from Bob Neal's study of target sights for Smith & Wesson revolvers.

It was very common for an owner to have a slot cut in a standard top latch for a target style sight, but they were not adjustable. How is that one adjusted?

32 DA Target Revolver-top-break-rear-sight-jpg

For some reason, I cannot get the image to show original size so you will have to download it in order to zoom the text large enough to read.
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Old 06-16-2022, 12:39 PM
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Default Barrel repair?

I've seen some miracles performed with barrel stretching. When a barrel was cut down then "stretched" back to original length via a professional weld and interior detailing and rifling work. That's some amazing work but a bulge with horizontal crack is pretty much a done deal for a barrel. Id have to see it in hand. It might be possible to weld that long crack. That "bump" looks like a poor weld to me. It might have "blown open".

It's really too bad because that's an early gun and that might be a two piece barrel which is extremely rare.

Is the serial number listed?? No caliber stamp on the barrel and no S&W motif on the right-side frame. So pre-1897 at least.

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Old 06-16-2022, 03:08 PM
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It says the serial number is in the 125k range.
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Old 06-16-2022, 05:13 PM
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I do not believe barrel has been stretched. Is appears to be original diameter and proper proportions. Besides I doubt that the forged rib, top strap, and hinge lug would allow a barrel to be stretched without distortion.

Ship date would be somewhere around 1890. My example is later and is not altered. The front sight on this model is pinned and easily changed or altered. The top latch can be slotted for a sight blade as well, but would not be original.

32 DA Target Revolver-p1010002-jpg

32 DA Target Revolver-p1010004-jpg
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Old 06-16-2022, 05:22 PM
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The last time I spoke with Roy Jinks about a possible 32 D.A. Target revolver he indicated that he had never lettered a 32 DA with factory target sights. He's lettered many guns but could not remember lettered a 32 DA Target revolver. If anyone has a Factory 32 DA Target I would like to see pictures.

B. Mower
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Old 06-16-2022, 05:56 PM
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Default Stretched

Sorry,
I wasn’t suggesting it was stretched. More of a focus on a possible repair to that damaged barrel via a moderate temp wire weld.
125k serial number for a 6” barrel is the earliest Ive every seen on a 32 Topbreak. I have to check my records but from poor memory I believe my 8” barrel 32 TB is in the 133k range so this dates to first year production or 1887! That should be a two piece barrel. Super rare!
In fact it has to be. That was the first year they offered the 6” barrel and the two piece barrel only lasted for 3 years.
If it’s for sale and low price from that barrel damage? I’d jump on it. Because of the rarity the barrel repair is worth fixing.
Can you convey the full serial number for my records?

Oh, the numbers must match also.

This is a very interesting piece because it’s very early long barrel production I’m wondering now if that set up was done by a distributor to stimulate interest in the long barrel.

One last request? Any way you can get a good shot of that rear sight?

Murph

Last edited by BMur; 06-16-2022 at 06:26 PM.
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Old 06-16-2022, 06:38 PM
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Default Damaged barrel

I just zoomed in on your left side photo and unfortunately it looks like the barrel is badly damaged. The cracks appear to go all the way to the muzzle so I suspect this barrel literally came apart and that “blob” of a weld is what is holding it together.
I’d still fix it due to its rarity but it’s a chore that’s for sure.


Murph
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Old 06-16-2022, 06:50 PM
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Here is a thread from 2018 that I started. That 6" barreled DA 32 has the same shark fin front sight. It had serial number in the 104k range. Unfortunately I sold it a few years ago to raise $ for other toys. I did letter it hoping Roy would comment on the front sight but there must not have been any notes in the records because he didn't comment on it.

32 S&W Double-Action Front Sight
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Old 06-16-2022, 06:57 PM
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Default Factory letter?

Mark,’
You sure it was 104,xxx? If so what did the factory letter say?
That’s definitely 1st year. Had to letter to 1887? Of course it could have shipped later though.

Murph
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Old 06-16-2022, 07:18 PM
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Yes, I'm sure the number was 104k. I believe the barrel and latch matched the frame but can't verify it. When I sold it I passed the letter on with the gun and didn't keep a copy.
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Old 06-16-2022, 09:00 PM
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Default Original front sight

Oh,
By the way. All of my two piece long barrels have that shark fin front sight.
I have an 8” 32 DA
Early 6” 32 DA
SA 38 with 10” barrel
DA 38 with 8” barrel
And a loose 10” barrel

All are two piece and ALL have the shark fin Target style front sight.

I’m going to look at the 1887 Smith and Wesson catalog and see if that sight is in the drawing. I’m convinced it’s factory.

Murph
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Old 06-16-2022, 09:14 PM
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Default Shark fin target front sight

I looked at my notes and all of the long barrels with two piece barrel have the target front sight.
Page 215 of the Neil and jinks also shows a 10” barrel SA with exact same front sight. It’s also a two piece barrel.
So I’d say it’s factory. Especially since the 10” barrel letters as being returned to the factory and had the two piece barrel installed!

So just another rare “ factory” feature to the two piece barrel.

Murph
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Old 06-20-2022, 02:20 PM
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Too bad about the barrel. Is it worth saying that it is chambered for the .32 S&W (short)? Reports of shooting this cartridge are rare. I would really like to shoot some groups from a six-inch gun with good sights. If you have some data, hope you start a new thread and post it.
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