I just obtained a First model 1896 in .32 long. It is a 4 screw with a 4" barrel. It has the swing out cylinder which is opened by pulling on the ejector rod. The s/n is 169xx and I am trying to date this gun. Thanks in advance.

It's officially considered that all Model 1896 revolvers were manufactured in the 1896-98 period, and all are classified as "antiques" by BATFE. Of course, your revolver could easily have been shipped from the factory somewhat later than 1898, possibly as late as 1903, and if an exact shipping date is necessary, it will cost you $75 to get a factory letter which will provide that information. Your SN is fairly high, as the highest SN is 19712.

Hello fourb I only have a few doz. in my data base. Ship dates are all over the place. Letter is your best bet.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Most were shipped out of serial # order. Here's what I have in my data base:

10555 Dec. 18, 1897
13017 Sept. 26, 1896
14584 MAR. 1899
15XXX September of 1899.
17106 DEC. 1900

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

"13017 Sept. 26, 1896"
A SN that high, documented as shipping in 1896, does strongly support that all of the 1896 revolvers were made prior to the 1899 antique cutoff date.

My 1896 S/N 8216 lettered as being shipped on April 30,1897

.32 HE Model of 1896, Ser. # 16801 shipped Nov. 1904, and Ser.# 16836 shipped Nov. 1900 and and Ser. # 17106 shipped Dec 1900 and Ser. # 17341 shipped Apr. 1901. Ed.

And whether of not the gun has the top sideplate screw also seems to be a somewhat random matter. #2324 from 1899 didn't have it (I sold that a while ago), #11057 from 1900 has it.

Or has anyone discovered a pattern there by now?

PS: If anyone wishes to add these to their database:
2324 shipped 12/9/1899 to L.D. Killette (private individual)
11057 shipped 5/19/1900 to E.K. Tryon Co. Phila.

mine, Serial # 3400, shipped in 1899

__________________
Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA