Hey everyone, When I moved into my first home I found this old Safety Hammerless .32 revolver hidden in the linen closet while repainting. It was the first handgun I ever owned.

I believe it to be a 1st model, 1st issue. The sn is 42XX. The barrel is 3.5" and has rifling. It is nickel-plated and appears to have a blued trigger and guard (is that factory correct?). It is in smooth working condition although I have not fired it. Nickel is worn and minor corrosion visible on right side of barrel.

From the web surfing I did, I can't find any price/value, manufacturing date, etc. on a four-digit sn. If anyone can tell me anything about this firearm it would be greatly appreciated.

My main inquiry is:

Should I keep it in its current condition with the aged patina?
or
Should I have a gunsmith restore it to "like new" condition?
If so, does anyone know of a high quality gunsmith in the Philadelphia Suburbs or Eastern Pa. that does nickel plating?

All criticism welcome.

-Dave

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I would keep it as it is. Refinishing will cost more than it's worth as these don't go for all that much since they're fairly common. I recommend that you clean it up and put it in a shadow box.

Welcome! It is a first model and probably shipped in 1888 or '89.

I agree with leaving it alone. If you want to restore it to factory new, there are a few skilled shops that can do it at relatively high expense (8-10 times its current value).

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks guys, I am on the fence. I don't mind paying more then the value. I'm not planing on selling it. I want it to tell the best story it can when I display it.

Determining value is just a side thought. Lets just say it cost $700 to refinish it. Would that increase the value at all; maybe $200 more or decrease value? I asume it's worth $250-$300 as is (got it for free).

I think you both are right. Let it show its age and history with the patina.
I think I will get the letter from Smith & Wesson historian for $50, a shadow box and an old advertisment from the 1800's.

Thanks again guys, great advice!
-Dave

Welcome from the panhandle of West Virginia.
I agree with the others, just clean it up and leave it as is.

Thank you all for being so welcoming.

I cleaned it up as best I could already. Is there some tricks of the trade to make it look better with out losing the patina?

Does the "low" four-digit sn have any "oh-ah" factor being that there are so many in curculation?

Welcome, your low serial number might get a very small premium if it were a high grade gun, but it is not. One thing to think about when considering a refinish is how worn it the gun internally? From looking at the rubber stocks, it has been very well used and maybe abused. It would be a shame to spend money on this one only to end up with parts breaking or rough bore limiting accuracy. If you want one of these, there are many high condition Safeties out there at a reasonable price. I like the shadow box idea for this one.

Well said.
Shadow box patina it is.

It will remind everyone who walks in my house of the values on which this country was built.

Thank you all.

007shooter'
I just finished cleaning up a 4th model 38 double action with Turtle wax Chrome Polish And Rust Remover. This worked well. A suggestion from a fellow forum member.
I applied the polish to a cloth patch and rubbed an area gently , when rust was being cleaned the patch would turn brown , I kept turning the patch and rubbing until the patch would no longer turn brown....then move on to another area.
Using this method I was able to remove the light surface rust without removing whatever finish was below it. Deep , pitted rust requires a different approach. The Turtle Wax is a great cleaner and light rust remover. Try this first ... you may be surprised with the results. Refinishing usually lowers the value and honest wear on a gun this old is desired... adds character.
gary

IMO, this is the best thing to do with it.

Usually refinished collectable guns are no longer collectable - unless the refinish was done long ago and the gun is fairly uncommon in the first place. I have used the above hand polishing method with several older nickel revolvers and it works very well. Just take your time and do it by hand...no Dremel, please!


Enjoy it - I never find stuff like that.


mark

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Liberals made the USA