Okay, what the heck did I just buy??

[357magster]

Found this little beauty at a gun show this morning. So pretty and so cute and in such good shape that I just couldn't leave her there. You know how it is.



What is it? Going to letter it just because it is so old (I find "old" interesting) ... and want to call it the right thing on the request form.

Serial number is 962XX. Barrel is 3.5", cylinder is a scootch over 7/8" long. Eyeballing the bore it looks to be about 7.5 mm in diameter.

A bunch of patent dates on the top of the barrel. Latest one is "Jan 3 82".

The photo doesn't do her justice. Amazing condition! (Of course, somebody is probably going to tell me now that it was refinished - and burst my bubble. If so, please be gentle!)

 

[gmborkovic]

Looks fine for a turn of the century 32 DA, Is that a chip out of the grip? Bad pic. Do the grips number? Lots more info needed. How much did you pay?

 

[357magster]

Looks fine for a turn of the century 32 DA, Is that a chip out of the grip? Bad pic. Do the grips number? Lots more info needed. How much did you pay?

That's just a reflection on the grip ... they are perfect ... except they do not, it turns out, number to the gun.

Looks like 174149 is scratched on the inside one of the grips.

So, if I am reading the SCofS&W correctly, based on the gun's serial number (962xx) this is a .32 Double-Action 4th Model . And even though the grips do not number to the gun, they fall within the 4th Model serial number range, so they are "correct".

Does that all sound right?

Thanks.

 

[Breakaway500]

That is a cutie and looks in great shape. I have a similar one and although it is tough for me to get my trigger finger in that tiny hole..it's a good shooter!

 

[ACORN]

I'm guessing its refinished being it has bright polished pins, and what looks like slightly dished screw holes, but I'm guessing. It does look nice though and I'd have considered it if it wasn't high priced as a shooter. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[357magster]

I'm guessing its refinished being it has bright polished pins, and what looks like slightly dished screw holes, but I'm guessing. It does look nice though and I'd have considered it if it wasn't high priced as a shooter. I hope you enjoy it.

Those three shiny pins caught my eye, too. Should they be blue or bare metal color?

Overall, the finish is suspiciously too good for a 130+ year old gun. Still, it's a real S&W, it's old, and it's cool.

More opinions welcomed!

 

[model3sw]

from what I can tell by the one picture, it looks good. A very common S&W but most are found in various degrees of use. A lesser amount of them remained this good looking if the finish is original.

 

[ralph7]

If you paid $150 or less, you probably did ok.
You guys tell me if I am wrong in my monetary assessment, haven't bought one of these in a long time.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Nice shape but I would say that it is reblued. I have one that I inherited from a Great Uncle. It was in great shape with a set of rare grips with red streaks in them. The little guy fell of the shelf of my safe and broke the grip years ago and I do not think that I could ever find a replacement. Cute, not rare and not worth terribly much but fun anyway.

 

[mmaher94087]

The condition question is hard to tell from one photo but I'm leaning toward a very nice reblue. The edges look slightly "soft", the pins polished 'white' and the front sight appears blue; not shiny like German Silver. Still a very nice example of a 100+ year old revolver.

 

[357magster]

If it IS reblued I wonder why somebody would go to that trouble and expense to reblue a gun like this ... except to dupe a gun show sucker like me.

I'm still glad I bought it, though, reblued or not.

 

[mmaher94087]

Damn hard to tell from the one photo. It sure looks good and the "detractions" just might be camera related; angle, lighting and the non-matching serial number of the stocks. This one needs an "in hand" examination as it looks too good to have needed a refinish.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Nice cool old gun ,glad ya got it and thanks for posting we all can't collect guns that cost 4 and 5 plus digits but that is right up my alley nice gun in nice shape and not too valuable to handle and shoot . I like it congrats on tne acquisition.

 

[ACORN]

If it IS reblued I wonder why somebody would go to that trouble and expense to reblue a gun like this ... except to dupe a gun show sucker like me.

I'm still glad I bought it, though, reblued or not.

Who cares if it was reblued? I wouldn't. It is a good looking revolver and way cool. I'd have bought it if it was within my means in a heartbeat!
As for why, I'd say why not. Someone put some time and I dare say love into it and it shows.
Congrats!

 

[murphydog]

As stated above, we need close up photos for a finish determination, but the (apparent) fit of the sideplate and the non-blued hammer and trigger suggest it is original, or the refinisher was highly skilled. Cool gun.

 

[357magster]

Will try to snap some better photos later today. I appreciate the replies and opinions!

 

[glowe]

Who cares if it was reblued? I wouldn't. It is a good looking revolver and way cool. I'd have bought it if . . . !

The point is that you probably not pay $500 or more for a refinished gun or for that example. That is what the gun is worth if original, $200 if re-blued.

Here is the rub - 32 DAs of that era had a high gloss blue applied and the image shows a satin blue. The front sight pin is polished flat and perhaps is the best indication of a refinish. That is not what would have been done at the factory . It is very common to replace a set of worn stocks with high condition stocks in order to match the new finish. The frame pins would not have been in-the-white as shown in the image. Also, there is no case coloring left on the trigger, suggesting some over-zealous cleaning. On the other hand, the edges are sharp and clean, the screws have been turned, but still crisp and not buffed. I believe great care was taken to refinish this gun, plus the OP has not mentioned if there was a star on the butt or a date code on the left side of the butt-frame. I doubt it was refinished by the factory, but maybe the OP can confirm?

I have an original finish example and the images might help make a comparison. There is some plum coloration starting, but still shows the gloss blue typical of these old DAs.

 

[357magster]

There are no markings on the butt frame. (Thanks for the comparison photos, Gary.)

Here are more photos. Hope they don't suck and can shed some light on the matter. (Pardon the lint!)

 

[glowe]

The sanding marks help support the post-factory refinish. It was probably a standard caustic blue that left different results on the frame, versus the spring steel trigger guard. The factory always was able to produce the same finish on all parts, regardless on whether they were heat-treated or not. The trigger stud was also polished flat. Original below.

 

[Breakaway500]

Dug my ole blued .32 out. I believe this one is unfired. I tried to take similar angles that you did to show the finish. Mine does not show any directional finish lines on it..and the bluing looks like a mirror. Whether your is refinished or not..it is a nice example! I paid just north of $700 for mine..so everything is relative..
As an aside.. Thanks for posting this..always fun to go through the safe and drag out the old guns for a wipe down and oil!