Trying to date a 32 New Departure Safety Hammerless
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Boulder350
SWCA Member
That's a beautiful revolver in excellent shape. Looks like you even have an original box for it. Is there a serial number written on the box and does it match the revolver?
You have a first model that was made from serial number 1 - 91417 from years 1888 - 1902. The estimated date of manufacture based on the S&W database for your serial number is 1897.
You have a first model that was made from serial number 1 - 91417 from years 1888 - 1902. The estimated date of manufacture based on the S&W database for your serial number is 1897.
Your .32 Safety Hammerless, or .32 New Departure (It was never know as the lemon squeezer), shipped within a four year window. It's impossible get any closer than that without the entire serial number.
Welcome to the Forum. It is important for many gun owners to determine if their revolver is an antique of modern. Cut off date for antique status for the 32 Safety, 1st Model is serial #91,400. That serial number would reflect January, 1899 manufacture date so a ship date estimate for yours would fall maybe 2 years earlier or 1897.
Interesting that, when taking a close look at ship dates for this model, the actual ship date for a 32 Safety in the serial number range of 91,400 was 1901 and the earliest post-1899 ship date in the SWCA database is one in the mid-86,000 that shipped in August 1899. The antique cut off was determined to be all frames that were serial number stamped before 1899, regardless of the actual ship date.
Interesting that, when taking a close look at ship dates for this model, the actual ship date for a 32 Safety in the serial number range of 91,400 was 1901 and the earliest post-1899 ship date in the SWCA database is one in the mid-86,000 that shipped in August 1899. The antique cut off was determined to be all frames that were serial number stamped before 1899, regardless of the actual ship date.
Looks like 1899. Nice score.
Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!
Yes. Any manufactured standard pressure ammo can be fired in it. The Magtech runs about 680 FPS. When smokeless cartridges first came out, ammo manufacturers were careful to keep their smokeless velocities close to the older BP loads. In 1907, S&W posted that they would warrant their guns when shot with commercial smokeless ammo.
Yes. Any manufactured standard pressure ammo can be fired in it. The Magtech runs about 680 FPS. When smokeless cartridges first came out, ammo manufacturers were careful to keep their smokeless velocities close to the older BP loads. In 1907, S&W posted that they would warrant their guns when shot with commercial smokeless ammo.
Don and Guy, thank you for the info and great help and to all who have commented, thank you. This is a great Forum. This particular .32 New Departure has been handed down in my family and obviously did not see a lot of use, but was well cared for.
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Welcome!
Posting in a 6 year old thread is not the best way to get new information. Use the "New Thread" post at the bottom left of this page in the future:
https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/
Your gun is likely from the 1920 decade but only a letter of authenticity will tell you its exact age.
Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
Posting in a 6 year old thread is not the best way to get new information. Use the "New Thread" post at the bottom left of this page in the future:
https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/
Your gun is likely from the 1920 decade but only a letter of authenticity will tell you its exact age.
Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
Smith & Wesson new departure Serial number 17?
Hey guys, I recently picked up a .32 Smith & Wesson new departure and I realize the serial number or the serial number is supposed to be has a two digit number 17? Does this mean it was the 17th gun made? I don’t think it was made in 1917 because of the dates on top of the barrel in the certain symbols could somebody help me out I like to know more about this gun, I got it to restore, but if it’s the 17th gun ever made, I’m not touching it
Hey guys, I recently picked up a .32 Smith & Wesson new departure and I realize the serial number or the serial number is supposed to be has a two digit number 17? Does this mean it was the 17th gun made? I don’t think it was made in 1917 because of the dates on top of the barrel in the certain symbols could somebody help me out I like to know more about this gun, I got it to restore, but if it’s the 17th gun ever made, I’m not touching it
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Hi There,
Welcome to our Group!
Could you post some pics of the revolver? If you can, include some
pics of the butt showing the serial number.
One thing to bear in mind is that S&W stamped the serial number
on all major parts of the revolver. This would include the cylinder
and the barrel. Even the grips were numbered to the gun originally.
If your "New Departure" Safety Hammerless is serial number 17,
all those parts should also have that number on them. I hope to see
those pics soon!
Cheers!
Webb
Welcome to our Group!
Could you post some pics of the revolver? If you can, include some
pics of the butt showing the serial number.
One thing to bear in mind is that S&W stamped the serial number
on all major parts of the revolver. This would include the cylinder
and the barrel. Even the grips were numbered to the gun originally.
If your "New Departure" Safety Hammerless is serial number 17,
all those parts should also have that number on them. I hope to see
those pics soon!
Cheers!
Webb
Last edited:
mmaher94087
SWCA Member
There is an error in post #6 that I wish to correct. I know the post is six years old now, but the information is incorrect. "Cut off date for antique status for the 32 Safety, 1st Model is serial #91,400." ALL 1st Model .32 Safety Hammerless are BATF Antique. Serial numbers above 91,400 refer to the 2nd Model .32 Safety Hammerless. I couldn't sleep last night...
