Model 1 1/2 patent date vs production date?

jelouder · Aug 9, 2016

New member here, although I have found a lot of good info at S&W Forum over the years.

I've done some research on my Model 1 1/2 top break 32 center fire. I discovered what seems to me to be a conflict between serial number and patent date.

Need a bit of help, or actually opinions (and I' sure I'll get 'em).

Here's my data (Hopefully including pics if I can upload them).

Serial #: 31643
Production date: somewhere between 1879-1881
Patent dates: may 11 1880, Jan 3 1882, Apr 9 1889

All matching numbers including the barrel which confuses me because it has a patent date well after the production period.

Thoughts? Factory re-barrel? Creative serial number marking?

Double check my data for me, I could be confused about nothing.

Thanks

opoefc · Aug 9, 2016

Your S&W was manufactured Dec. 7, 1878, therefore the barrel is a factory replacement if it is serial numbered to the gun and has the 1889 patent date. Check the left side grip frame, under the grip, for possible stamping of a repair date code, such as 6.84, meaning June 1884. Ed.

mmaher94087 · Aug 9, 2016

What is the barrel length? If it is longer than 3" or 3 1/2" then it might have gone back to the factory for the transplant. Is there a star on the grip frame?

glowe · Aug 9, 2016

jelouder said:
. . . All matching numbers including the barrel which confuses me because it has a patent date well after the production period . . .

Welcome to the Forum. I rather like calling the centerfire 32s a 32 Single Action, since the Model 1 1/2 revolvers were made much earlier in 32 rimfire and sometimes makes things confusing. Your photos helped.

The 32 Single Action was manufactured until 1892 and shipped into the 1890s. It would be interesting to know when your revolver was repaired? That patent date was found on a 32 Double Action, 4th Model and not indicated on a 32 SA. The only difference I can see between the two barrel assemblies is that the steps in the cylinder star look quite a bit smaller in the 32 DA than in the 32 SA. Other than that, the barrel assembly is a drop in replacement for either revolver.

jelouder · Aug 9, 2016

Thanks for the help! Wow, down to the day on the build date. That's awesome.

Barrel length is 3 1/2. Can't find any markings on grip frame.
I thought it might be a transplant barrel from a later production between 89 and 92, or even from a later model, possibly a DA. The matching serial number is what interested me.

I like trying to put these puzzles together.

Thanks again.

jelouder · Aug 9, 2016

In any case, I like my old S&W revolvers. this one has been in the family for at least 70 years

JSR III · Aug 24, 2016

Welcome to the forum.

Is there a number stamped on the back of the barrel, cylinder face and the grip frame with stocks removed? If so, those numbers should match. I own a New Model 1 1/2 in .32 rim fire that bears the number 47 on all three locations indicating that the parts are all original to the gun.

Model 1 1/2 patent date vs production date?

jelouder

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mmaher94087

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