A friend has requested help in arriving at a value of a revolver
he purchased in Alaska about 40 years ago. From the description, he gave me on the phone, it is a S&W .32 cal.
hammerless, topbreak, double action, with a Serial number of
11734XXXX and a mfg. date of 1876-1877 (?). No Model Number
is apparent. It has a 3" BBL.

I have been unable to accommodate his request with the books I have. So, if anyone can shed some light on this, I would appreciate it.

No .32 top break ( or any other revolver) would have a nine digit serial number. A .32 Safety Hammerless top break could only have a serial number of 11734X. Where did the dates , 1876-77 come from? A Patent date on the barrel rib, perhaps? What is the number on the butt of the gun? What are the grips made of? Hard rubber? Value is related to condition, so is the gun in good mechanical working order, r? Ed.