Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Gary has given you what you need to answer the antique question. As far as obtaining an historian's letter, I would advise against it for 2 reasons.
1. S&W made a lot of these guns. They are not rare and only have added value if they are pristine and come in the original box. A nominal value for a .32 safety hammerless shooter around here is $200 or less.
2. Your gun has been refinished outside the S&W factory. It has 0 collector value.
What
is interesting about your gun is the serial number can be read correctly no matter which way the barrel is pointed.
