Hi All, I'm trying to restore a .32 lemon squeezer. Question: If sucessful what ammo can I buy to use in it? I see .32-20 ammo at Midway etc but not sure if it (or any ammo) is safe in this oldie> Thanks! Ray PS: SN 45xxx so about 1890 manufacture.

Hi All, I'm trying to restore a .32 lemon squeezer. Question: If sucessful what ammo can I buy to use in it? I see .32-20 ammo at Midway etc but not sure if it (or any ammo) is safe in this oldie> Thanks! Ray PS: SN 45xxx so about 1890 manufacture.

Ray,

These are chambered for .32 S&W (Short) only! .32 S&W Long is too long for the cylinder. .32-20 is a bottleneck rifle cartridge that was chambered in the K frames prior to WW2.
The current production stuff from Win. & Rem. is loaded very light and is safe to shoot occasionally. There are a few makers of cowboy action ammo also. Keep in mind that these were designed for black powder pressure curves. All that said, I have one and it's a great shooter.

Given the relatively low value of these, and the fact that restored guns are worth even less, I would only worry about it's condition mechanically. If a gunsmith tells you it's shootable, then give it a good cleaning and keep it as-is.
Chris
Chris

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

Thank you, Chris! Ray

rayj101:

I have an Safety Hammerless S&W 38 serial # 45xxx...same model....bigger caliber....

I'm looking to sell mine, a pleasant shooter for sure.

Comes with factory ammo & new loading dies, if you know someone looking....

You can see photos on the classified pages if you'd like to compare them. I'd like to see photos of yours.

Hi M, I am awaiting parts (firing pin and hand) from Jack Frist, Inc. My revolver is presently disassembled. However, it is probably rated as being in NRA poor condition. I'm awaiting a firing pin and a hand from Jack Frist. The original finish was nickle (chrome?) but it has virtually disappeared. Chris (this forum) gave me valuable advice (see his post above). Still I might (if I can get it up & running) just cold blue it and, hopefully, per Chris's advice, shoot it. Not counting new repro black powder items (ie, Colt Walker) I have seven old handguns in cases. I say old, but two of them I may have carried 1964-73!!?? (M1911A1). If the parts I'm awaiting are correct and per Chris, I can get 50 or so rounds of ammo, I'll fire and box it! Might be dumb but I like to do this. If I can get this thing back together again I'll try and post pics. Thanks for your interest! Ray

Sounds like fun, good luck.
They are quite pleasant little pocket pieces.

Here's mine:

Ray, good for you! Despite the cost/value ratio, I think it's wonderful when a real beater gets "brought back" from being a junker.

Most guns are worth more in original condition and it's usually a mistake to "restore" a collectible.

However, some guns that are "so far gone" are just plain fun to make presentable again!

My S&W like yours was horrible so I had it engraved and restored.



And here's a Colt Pocket Hammerless that was horrible too. I have before and after pics of this one! The grips were broken and missing so I first found a perfect set. Then I had the gun "restored" and a few years later I decided to have it engraved and then I added the ivory grips. To me, it was worth it and I'll be keeping it for anothe 40+ years anyway. And it shoots great!

I, too have an old lemonsqueezer that needs parts.
Is there any contact info for Jack Frist, Inc?

I think you are mis-spelling it. Its Jack First, not Frist.

This should be some contact info.

Jack First Gun ShopIndespensable for the gunsmith or gun enthusiast -- from the best parts ... Jack First, Inc. 1201 Turbine Dr. Rapid City, SD 57703 Parts: (605) 343-9544 ...

Later, Mike Priwer

rayj I bought one of these a few months ago, finally got to shoot it yesterday.
very good shooter, I'm not surprised so many were sold.
I'm using Remington .32 S&W ammo, from a box that I have had for a while, but I believe Cabela's stocks it.

Mine has no finish left, but is very tight and shoots well...I plan on polishing the scratches out and otherwise leaving it alone.

Enjoy yourself.

Mark

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Hi All, Otterray, Mike is right. I misspelled the name. Google Jack First, Inc to find his wb site. No catalog per se on line but has a list of all guns he has parts for. Have to phone in order but it is painless and easy. Ray

Hi all,

I thought tagging on this thread might be better than starting a new one. New member, so I hope its ok.

A few months back I picked up a nice 32 Safety Hammerless 1st Model (1891). Found out later after buying dies and loading up a few rounds that it has a broken firing pin.

I have the side plate off, but that's it so far. Does the cross pin drift out from the left (side plate side)? Any recommendations on further disassembly/assembly to replace the firing pin?

I'm quite new to these old guns and am picking up experience with gunsmithing, so any advice is eagerly accepted! Boy do I want to get this old gal firing.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve, As I recall, I remove the pin on the left. After that the firing pin bushing can be pushed out through the recoil sheild. I think I paid $16 for a firing pin and $3 for the firing pin spring. Regards, Ray

mm6mm6,
Who did the beautiful engraving on your Colt?
Don

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NRA Life

I have just inherited an S&W "Lemon Squeezer" in .32, New Departure First Model (I believe)with a very low serial number ('24xx').

Is there a table showing serial numbers vs. year of manufacture for these S&W handguns? I see that the first posting in this thread says that s/n '45xxx' was made around 1890, but I thought the first year of manufacture was 1888?

It's in moderately good condition, and appears to be fully functional. My Grandfather probably carried it around in the 20s and 30s (not a pampered collection gun). I have no plans to restore or to shoot this gun, but would like to know all I can find out about it.

I also inherited some other handguns from the early 20th century:

1. J. Stevens Arms & Tools break-top single-shot .25 caliber centerfire "parlor pistol" or "gallery" (?) handgun in excellent condition. No trigger guard!

2. Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works break-top 5-shot .38 S&W. Last marked patent is 1897.

3. Harrington & Richardson Arms "Automatic Ejector" model break-top 6-shot .32 S&W (long).

Here are these four (S&W at the bottom):

Welcome to the collecting world and the board Moose. The only way to know the shipping date for sure is to pay the 30 dollars for a factory letter. But, I have first model 32 Safetys with serial numbers 10xx and 23xx and they both shipped in May of 1888. It is a good bet that yours shipped in mid 1888 also.
Mark

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Mark Connot

Another new safety hammerless owner here (3rd model, .38 S&W). Bought at the spring Tulsa show. In good condition and shoots well. Is there anything special about cleaning and lubricating one of these? Anyone have a link to an online maintenance guide for them?

O.P.

Hi Ohio, You are correct in that the model in question was introduced in 1888 and was produce until 1900 when changes were made resulting in what is now called the Second Model. Anyway, I have a factory letter (30 bucks; search forum for S&W History Request Form) on #283xx which shows shipment on Jan 1, 1892. Ergo, obviously produced in 1891. The letter only provides a ship date. Yours should be earlier than mine, naturally. Hope this provides a little bit of info for you. Regards, Ray

Hi new here and and the proud owner of a 32 hammerless s&w new departure I was wondering if anyone can give me an approximate age on it. I believe its a first model the serial is 18xxx

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Wow I just saw the last post was 13 years ago

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Good catch! Do you want to start a new thread, now? You would likely get more visibility.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629