Looking for ID help

[AGC]

Found in late grandfathers basement, a top-break fixed (site not adjustable) 5 shot .32 cal revolver, serial# 191900*. That star at the end looks like an actual star with 5 points. Top of the 2.5" barrel says "Smith & Wesson, Springfield, MASS, USA" with what looks like an X inside a little box before and after the writing. Left side of barrel says 1X (looks like Roman numerals) 32 S. W. CT, (CT could be scratches; very hard to read compared to the other writing, with a possible squiggly sign between the S and the W. Also has a safety built into the outside of the handle that won't allow it to fire unless depressed by squeezing the handle enough. See pic.. Can anyone tell me the approx year, or value, or any other history behind this? Much appreciated!
This first image is from this site and although in much better condition than mine, looks to be just about an exact match.



And here is mine in all its glory!





And one more question..are the bad spots on mine worn away nickel plating, or is there something I can bring it back to a shine with? Very interested in doing so if possible.. Thanks in advance to any advice or info anyone can give me!

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. You have a 32 Safety Hammerless, 3rd Model revolver that would have shipped from the factory around 1913. These revolvers had been made from the early 1880s and by the time the solid frame hand ejectors were introduced, they became an out-dated design. The S&W hand ejectors were introduced in the early 1900s, and took over the market from earlier top-break revolvers.

Your revolver cannot be accurately dated without a factory letter because they languished in inventory until the early 1930s. They were sold without regards to serial number order. That gun is considered a modern firearm by the BATF and is subject to any and all federal and state regulations, so be sure to check out if there are any ownership requirements in your state.

The star indicates that it was sent back to the factory for repair or refinish. The date is usually found under the left stock stamped as a 3 or 4 digit number. That signifies the month and year returned. The weak stampings are usually a sign of a refinish outside the factory, since a gunsmith did not have access to roll stamps used in the factory. Maybe it has seen more than one refinish.

The dark areas are bare steel that darkens with age. You can take a polish like Mother's Mag Polish and hand polish the gun, but the steel will always show a different color than the nickel and you will wear away more nickel every time you polish an area. The appearance you see is the result of a couple of generations of owners and makes the gun what it is today. I would lightly clean it up and enjoy the patina that your grandfather left you.

Value is quite low on these guns. There were about a quarter million made and in pristine condition can be found for $400, so a non-antique used example will quickly drop to the $200 range. Family heirloom and sentimental value always trumps dollar value with these kinds of guns.