Smith & Wesson model ??
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deadin
US Veteran
32 Double Action 2nd Model
Welcome to the Forum. Collectors call this revolver a 32 Double Action , 2nd Model that would have shipped somewhere around 1882. The caliber is actually 32 S&W.
deadin
US Veteran
Glowe,
Are these early 32 DA safe with smokeless powder?
Are these early 32 DA safe with smokeless powder?
shown50
Member
That’s a nice gun with some great family history! Your 32S&W was made during the black powder era. I believe you’ll only find that ammo available online. There are some boxes for sale on Gunbroker but they’re a little pricey. I think I paid $75 for a full box a month or so ago. I’ve read that new production smokeless 32S&W ammo is safe for these. Glowe has shot a lot of smokeless ammo through his top breaks so I would defer to him. Enjoy the gun, they’re fun to shoot!
Some will say no, but a S&W top-break in perfect working order can easily handle current factory loaded 32 S&W ammo. Not sure when the last time Remington or Winchester ran any 32 S&W, but they are light loads with lower velocities than original black powder. Besides that, original 32 S&W ammo was also a very anemic round. Having said this, springs or parts can break on any 150 year old gun so there is always that risk and parts are hard to find.
deadin
US Veteran
Story I heard years ago....
A guy was out in the woods when he was treed by a bear.
All he had was a little 32 topbreak and a box of ammo.
When the bear would start up the tree after him he would pop it in the face with the 32.
The bear would back down, think about it and start up again just to get another pop in the nose.
It seems just about when the guy was running out of ammo the bear finally died of blood loss.....
A guy was out in the woods when he was treed by a bear.
All he had was a little 32 topbreak and a box of ammo.
When the bear would start up the tree after him he would pop it in the face with the 32.
The bear would back down, think about it and start up again just to get another pop in the nose.
It seems just about when the guy was running out of ammo the bear finally died of blood loss.....
Model19man
Member
I bought a box of Magtech 32 S&W ammo recently. Most of the gun stores around here have it on the shelf. Apparently it does not sell because the dealers still own it.
Here in Maine, I can see that happening. LOL
If the ammo is $75, what's the revolver worth? Keepsake
That’s the riddle. One picture?
I’d say your revolver is worth
4 to 6 Boxes of Ammo
Keepsake,, Much Much more
I’d say your revolver is worth
4 to 6 Boxes of Ammo
Keepsake,, Much Much more
Wonder why they called it a top break
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The difference is the cleaning media. Black powder is not soluble with hydrocarbon solvents, and should be cleaned with soap and water. Smokeless is best cleaned with solvent based cleaners. If these guns were so easy to clean, why are so many bores rusted, pitted, and ruined?
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I tend to suspect that many of the rusted examples were fired by people who didn't understand the importance of cleaning a gun. Sadly, a lot of people just don't get this, then or now. I used to get people bringing guns into the shop which were victims of this mindset too darn often. Muzzle loaders, military surplus rifles and handguns, inherited old guns, even modern guns. Even with all the information out there about things like corrosive primed ammo or how black powder guns needed cleaned right after use people still rusted gun barrels. I doubt it was much (if any) different back then.
