Pristine Nickle Lemon Squeezer MP Grips Needs DOB

[tarponator]

Hi Guys:
I have a safety hammerless 32 S&W Model 2 (I believe) with serial 1758XX. I've never seen another one like this with the mother of pearl grips and brass S&W Logo in the gips. The only flaw is shown here, a tiny piece of the grip is missing around the logo and there is a crack near the logo as well. I am thinking about selling it but need some help from the experts here to put a value on it. Any help would be appreciated

Here's Some Photos:

[Camster]

Welcome.
My S&W Standard Catalog indicates that the serial number is approx 1910 and a third model.

[cflier]

Welcome to the forum,

It looks like it is an early 3rd model. Some of the early 3rds had pinned barrels as the were using up the old ones. I'm sorry to say that it is not exactly pristine. It has almost certainly been refinished in the past. The grips if they were perfect would be worth almost as much as the gun. Unfortunately with the cracks and breaks they would be of no interest to a collector. I would put the value at between $150 and $250.
cflier

[tarponator]

Thanks guys, it belonged to my grandfather and has been in my gun safe for 30 years. Is there any way to tell for sure if it has been refinished. The bore looks like new so it doesn't look like its been fired much. Just trying to figure out what to do with it.
Nice to know its a third model! Thanks

[PALADIN85020]

Originally Posted by tarponator

Thanks guys, it belonged to my grandfather and has been in my gun safe for 30 years. Is there any way to tell for sure if it has been refinished. The bore looks like new so it doesn't look like its been fired much. Just trying to figure out what to do with it.
Nice to know its a third model! Thanks

Here is a pic of my 3rd model Safety Hammerless .32 made in November, 1921, with original nickel plating, not perceivably ever fired. The most obvious clue that yours does not have the original finish is the trigger, which should have a case hardened finish. Those mother of pearl grips are rare when found intact with the S&W logo. Unfortunately, they were very fragile and are most often found chipped or cracked. Look at the stamping on the barrel and the logo on the side. Should be sharp with no "dishing" on the sides of the impression, which would indicate a re-nickeling. Mine of course has the standard Gutta Percha grips. Hope this pic is clear enough for you to compare.

P.S. If that gun belonged to my grandfather, I'd never let it go. It's an heirloom in any condition.

John

[twaits]

I'm not so sure this is a refinish. The triggerguard looks like worn blueing to me and the trigger doesn't look plated, it looks like the case has been worn off from years of use. The sideplate fit looks perfect and I don't see the tell tale dishing of the screw holes or the rounding of the edges of the sideplate. I could be wrong but it looks pretty good and original to me.

[Modelof1891]

I don't see signs of a refinish. The light scratches all over look to be several years of wiping it down. The side plate area has defined lines that fit evenly. The trigger looks like too much light from a flash on the right side and the left looks normal.
Has some old dried oil or grease. For whatever my opinion is worth!

[pdrichards]

An old friend just brought me an old Lemon Squeezer he's had for quite a while. Wants me to have it as his sons are not into guns. It's in vg+ or maybe fine condition. Can anyone tell me when it waas born ? Ser # 322xx
Thanks

[rayj101]

Hi Pdrichards, My sn 28xxx was shipped on January 1, 1892. Your weapon is only about four thousand later than mine so ergo; mid 1892 to late 1893? S&W didn't ship in numerical order. A letter will tell you for sure but, in the meantime, I hope this helps. Regards, Ray

[H Richard]

I agree with twaits, and model of1891. I don't think has been refinished, but has years of "love" and cleaning showing.