Good Afternoon All,
Just a few questions regarding a lemon squeezer 32 S&W. It is a late 1st edition(SN #:76,XXX)

1. Is it safe to shoot low power smokeless loads through it(85gr 640fps), or should I stick with BP loads(I absolutely do not want to damage it)

2. What is considered good condition for a gun this old? I can tell if was definitely not refinished(due to the blued trigger guard, trigger, and a bit on aged wear), but it still has a nice sheen of the nickel plating, but has some scratches on the cylinder, and some minor note of wear on the edges of the gun.

3. What is the relative worth of a gun in the above condition in this serial range?

4. I assume refinishing the gun would make it worth less, correct?

"(due to the blued trigger guard, trigger, and a bit on aged wear), " I'm guessing that you erroneously included "blued.. trigger". S&W triggers are case colored. .32 S&W modern manufactured loads should be just fine for the revolver; if you can find them.

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Mike Maher #283

Smokeless loads should be fine. I'm not sure if any black powder loads are sold anymore. Of course with a 120 year old gun even a light load might cause something to break. I have put hundreds of rounds through guns just as old with out issue.

Based on your description your gun sounds like it is in better than average condition. Without pictures it is hard to give a definitive answer.
I would guess the value to be $200 to $300 depending on how quickly you want to sell it and actual condition of gun.

Unless the gun has less than 25% original finish left I would not recommend refinishing. You will spend more on the refinish job than you increase the value of the revolver assuming you increase the value of the revolver at all. Anytime you refinish a gun do it because that is what you want not because it will increase the value.

Welcome to the forum.

What is a lemon squeezer? I can't find that term in any period Smith & Wesson catalog?

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Don Mundell

The term "Lemon Squeezer" was derived from the grip safety on their earliy "safety hammerless" revolvers.

The nomenclature is a "slang" term or a "colloqialism". It is NOT a "term of the trade".

I hope this helps.

Stick with modern smokeless loads for the .32 S&W cartridge. Either Remington or Winchester makes loaded ammunition for the cartridge. Look it up.

Brownells has it for $30.99 for a box of 50 cartridges. ($0.62 per round).