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08-07-2020, 02:08 PM
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Lemon Squeezer?
Need a little info, please. I was looking at a local gun shop, just North East of Pittsburgh, on line. They have a S&W Lemon Squeezer for $599. I never heard of this gun. It looked kinda old, and they only had one picture. Comes with what looks like its original holster. There's no caliber info or anything. Anyone know what this is? Thanks, Jeff T.
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08-07-2020, 02:27 PM
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The original S&W Model 40 Centennial came with a grip safety. You had to press it to fire, hence the moniker, "Lemon Squeezer."
You can see it on the back of the grip frame.
I believe S&W did a run of these recently as part of their "Classic" line.
I think they're all .38 Special, and all steel frame. The originals and the "Classic" line were blued. There may have been some original guns that came with a nickel finish, but I'm not sure.
As far as value, I can't help with that.
I'm not much of a S&W historian, but that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the subject.
Hope it helps.
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08-07-2020, 02:55 PM
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The very first guns with type grip safety were top breaks both 32 S&W and 38 S&W. If the grip isn't squeezed they will not fire. Some of them have a hole in the grip frame and safety so that you can remove a grip, squeeze the safety in, install a pin and replace the grip and then the grip safety no longer functions. Kind of like a similar modification sometimes done to the grip safety on 1911s
sorry for poor cell phone photo
Last edited by steelslaver; 08-07-2020 at 03:16 PM.
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08-07-2020, 03:21 PM
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The term “Lemon Squeezer” (generally despised by serious collectors  ) is almost always applied to the .32 and .38 S&W Safety Hammerless topbreak, because of its grip safety. In contrast to “floating” grip safeties on later pistols like the 1911, it requires a substantial constant pressure to release the trigger for firing.
The Centennial/Model 40 continued that tradition, but are rarely referred to by the moniker.
Last edited by Absalom; 08-07-2020 at 03:23 PM.
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Art66, ContinentalOp, darmtn1917, Guero, jeffrefrig, Kurusu, leonardocarrillo, Mr. Wonderful, ohioan55, Old Arkansawyer, Skippyjon Jones, sparkyvega |
08-07-2020, 03:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Absalom
The Centennial/Model 40 continued that tradition, but are rarely referred to by the moniker.
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That's odd, because I've always heard them referred to as "Lemon Squeezers."
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08-07-2020, 03:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ContinentalOp
That's odd, because I've always heard them referred to as "Lemon Squeezers."
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This. I think most gun people will know what a lemon squeezer is vs a Model 40.
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08-07-2020, 03:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ContinentalOp
That's odd, because I've always heard them referred to as "Lemon Squeezers."
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A matter of relative perception, I think 
Just for fun, I just put “lemon squeezer” in the Gunbroker search window. The results were one HK P7, two Model 42’s, and 18 Safety Hammerless’.
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08-07-2020, 04:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Absalom
A matter of relative perception, I think
Just for fun, I just put “lemon squeezer” in the Gunbroker search window. The results were one HK P7, two Model 42’s, and 18 Safety Hammerless’. |
Wait. What!?
And you didn't get this?
That's odd. 
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08-07-2020, 05:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurusu
Wait. What!?
And you didn't get this?
That's odd. |
That’s a lime squeezer silly 😝
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08-07-2020, 05:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pavia
That’s a lime squeezer silly 😝
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Ya think?
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08-07-2020, 05:54 PM
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Well, we still have no idea what gun we are actually talking about.
Maybe the OP could post that one picture he had. That should clear things up.
For $599 it would have to be a REALLY nice Safety Hammerless. I remember I paid $192 for mine pictured above. The price might be more appropriate for a Centennial.
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08-07-2020, 06:39 PM
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If it came with those stocks for $192, you got the gun practically for free.
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08-07-2020, 07:38 PM
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Mine is a Model of 1896 (first type of latch) in 38 S&W, guess what year it was made? I had lots of hammerless Iver Johnson's and H & R revolvers, but only Smith had the grip safety!
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08-07-2020, 09:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelslaver
The very first guns with type grip safety were top breaks both 32 S&W and 38 S&W. If the grip isn't squeezed they will not fire. Some of them have a hole in the grip frame and safety so that you can remove a grip, squeeze the safety in, install a pin and replace the grip and then the grip safety no longer functions. Kind of like a similar modification sometimes done to the grip safety on 1911s
sorry for poor cell phone photo
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This is what the gun looked like. The LGS just didn't specify .32 or .38.
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08-07-2020, 11:18 PM
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The correct name for the early top breaks was the New Departure!
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08-08-2020, 12:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plano
The correct name for the early top breaks was the New Departure!
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Depending in which year’s catalog you look, it was called the New Departure, the Hammerless Safety, or the Safety Hammerless.
The New Departure name seems to not have stuck, a bit like New Century for the Triple Lock, which hardly anyone uses either.
Catalogs from 1892, 1903, and 1915:
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08-08-2020, 08:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Absalom
Well, we still have no idea what gun we are actually talking about.
Maybe the OP could post that one picture he had. That should clear things up.
For $599 it would have to be a REALLY nice Safety Hammerless. I remember I paid $192 for mine pictured above. The price might be more appropriate for a Centennial.
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It actually looks a lot rougher than the one Steelslaver posted up in post #3. I wouldn't pay that much; I don't collect old guns, just shooters and a couple my dad left me. (His K22 Masterpiece is probably 90%. I think it's from "50 or '52. This shop also has one for $700.) Thanks, guys!
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08-08-2020, 09:58 AM
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It could be like mine...a 1888 32 safety hammerless, 1st Model, cosmetically challenged to say the least.
Mine I know was used as a "lemon squeezer" right from the beginning...just look at what's remaining of the finish.
Definitely a 32 short, black powder round as a modern 32 Long won't chamber.
Mine is a pure paperweight. The black rubber grips are the only thing in decent condition. I don't even have a value on my insurance paperwork, but I'm thinking a sale add along the lines of (like GB,RIA,Morphy's, etc) "RARE, ULTRA hard to find, you'll never see another set like these!!!of S&W 1888 1st Model black rubber grips. Buy it Now price $75. P.S. Free matching gun attached."
Probably still wouldn't sell 
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08-08-2020, 11:00 PM
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I'm gonna have to take a ride over to this shop and look at the gun now; just curious. Also, a Colt Police Positive under $300, Ruger single six, S&W Victory and I think one called New Police(?), Iver Johnson revolver, H&R something, just what I need: my 8th gun acquirement in 2020. They have some revolvers I've heard about on this forum but never paid much attention to. Some old-looking like the Squeezer, some nice-looking, newer models. Maybe I'll just buy a box of ammo. You know, some bollits!
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