I recently bought a S&W Safety Hammerless ( Lemon Squeezer) on Gunbroker. It is 38 S&W caliber, a 3 1/4 barrel, the blue is about 20 percent. The serial number is 172,xxx.
This was bought for a conceal carry for myself.

1) Can I shoot regular smokeless powder ammunition safely
out of this pistol?

2) Where is a good supply of ammo for this pistol?

3) The third model like this one are all Antique fireamrms?

4) If this pistol needs any springs, who sells them?

5) Is there anywhere online that has infromation on disassembly/ reassembly online for this pistol?

6) Should I refinish this pistol or leave it alone?

7) This pistol has a serial number of 172,xxx what year was it made.

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That appears to be a .32S&W cal and not a .38.
Serial number indicates a manufacture date between 1909-1937 which makes it a modern firearm but it would be considered a curio and relic. It should be fine with smokeless ammo. It probably won't be cheap though. This stuff is pretty much obsolete.
It wouldn't be my first choice for concealed carry but certainly better than no gun at all.
As for refinish, I'd leave it alone.

1) Stick to lead light loads.

2) Good luck

3) Not an antique, if its a 32 probably made 1909, if its a 38 ( which it looks like) its a fourth, not a third, and was made 1904-ish. By the way, if its a 38, its 38 S&W not 38 special.

4) try oldwestgunsmith.com

5) Don't know

6) Leave it alone. Unless there is sentimental value, you'll never get your money back.

7) See #3

Have fun.

__________________
Pace

stlswm
I have found Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West 2Nd Ed. very helpful!! Our public libary had it and like twaits said it looks very much like a .32

Here is a pic from the left side. it appears to be a Fourth model 38 S&W Safety Hamerless. Their serial numbers range from 116,000- 220,000. There were 114,000 made. Based on that data the best guess is that this revolver was probably made in 1903.The second pic matches the first pic ( the actual revolver).My revolver has a serial number of 172,000Theese were made from 1898-1907.

The third pics are 32 S&W's safety Hammerless photos.The third model it has serial numbers from 163,000-242,000. 73,000 were made(rarer). They were from 1909-1937 (not as old as the 38 model) My revover looks like it has alot of wear. The third model #2 S&W has a integral sight not pinned.

Based on the photo of the left side of the revolver and the second pic of the 4rth model, coupled with the serial number data, this a 38 S&W 4rth model.From that we can estimate that it is probalbly made in 1903 and it it is not an antique firearm, Being that it is 106 year old firearm I will
leave the finish alone. I will keep you posted when I receive this firearm.Ammo seems to be the only issue,

I like it for CCA, they are accurate, they are stashible, with their 3/14" barrel, they have no hammer to get snagged and they have can be carried safely, this one is blued, I don't want advertise. Ammo seems to be the only issue. Someone will have ammo because they probably don't sell it often.

I could go to Borders to look up how to:"disassemble antique firearms"if need be.

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	32-Safety-Hless-Mods.jpg (90.6 KB, 833 views)

Whether it is 32 or 38 S&W, will be stamped on the left side of the barrel.

The decision to shoot it should be based upon it's mechanical condition. Does it lock up good and tight, and function properly? If you slowly pull the trigger, does the cylinder index and lock in the proper position before the hidden hammer drops? It should. You don't want half of your bullet squirting out and --- well you see what I mean.

There are a few - or maybe a bunch of us shooting these guns with modern factory ammo or our own reloads, and having a lot of fun doing it. Neither of these cartridges are considered very powerful by modern standards, but they were developed in an age when any bullet in your innards might well prove fatal. People aren't built any different today than they used to be, and I pity the foo who might stop a few shots from the 38 S&W.

Be careful, have fun, and keep us posted. Most of us with these little handguns are the kind of weirdos who love to talk about them.

Jim

It would probably be better to pull the side cover off to check the revolver timing, wouldn't it? excessive endshake in the cylinder is another problem to look for.If it has any of theese problems I will send back to the gunshop it came from.

If I were in a tactical situation I doubt the person would know they didn't
get it from a 38 special.

This is a C&R for sure.

The barrel looks like it is marked 32.

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The barrel does indeed seem to say 32 S&W. It is identical to the one in front of me right now. Mine is serial # 166371.

You don't need to remove the side plate to check the timing, but might want to to clean 100 year old gunk out. Just be careful. These pistols are fairly tricky by all accounts. Mine is in such good condition that I have done nothing but give it Rem-Oil flushes and canned air blasts. (with the grips off)

Cylinder end-shake is often considerable with these, but will be considerably less when it is loaded. What you don't want is frame latch shake.

Jim

Here is a pic of a 4rth model 32 S&W. That is what I ordered. The gun shop claimed it was a 3rd model and it was a 38 S&W.This one is marked
serial number 172,000 very close to your's. I'm going to tell the shop not to ship it and send back my check.

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32 it is. Good eye, Twaits!

__________________
Pace

The dealer looked at it it is 32, he's gonna return my check.
Case solved. It also a 4rth model, not a 3rd the dealer
claimed. Honest mistake, thank god for the S&W forums.

Twaits called it, right on.

Is it a 38 S&W or a 32 S&W I got's to know? " Click".... 32

What you need is one of these only hammerless:

I will get a 2 1/2" H&R, 38 S&W, octagon barrel,revolver for my pocket ....if someone should ask for my wallet. They will get a little more than thye bargained for.OR mayne I could
wear a shoulder holster, one in waistband and a ankle holster.
In case someone wants me to surrender my weapon or I half to reload.

It is not hammerless since it has a hammer.

I had the same thought on old S&W's. Found a
4th Model .38 Safety Hammerless that was in the white,
with pitting. It's been re-blued, 'cause I like blue.
It is sporting a set of I-frame stocks, because they
give a pretty good hold. It shots just fine with store
bought ammo from "Ammunition To Go".
Not a collectible, but it sure is a keeper.
TACC1

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Wow I posted this a long time ago. I said "what you need is one of these ONLY hammerless" No tricks there. Seems pretty clear to me.

As in a hammerless version like this.

Like this:



I didn't have this gun when I posted that other picture

Can any one tell me the manufacturer date for serial number 107xxx
Thanks, Chris