Question about 32 S&W Lemon Squeezer

BiddahProphet · #1 07-10-2019, 08:28 PM

Hello everyone

I recently acquired a 32 s&w antique lemon squeezer/safety hammer-less, and had two questions about it

1) I have seen some Lemon Squeezers with a Trademark Patent Logo stamped on the side plate. Could this be a sign it was a counterfeit??? Or was the meatball just added on the later models?? Ive seen both in pictures. The serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, and top strap all match. The lettering is correct with what Ive seen on the top of the barrel as well.

2) For those who have one, do you shoot them. After inspecting mine, the pitting is minimal in the barrel, with the cylinder and ejector rotating just fine. Also verified the firing pin with a 3d snap cap.

Serial Number: 56782

Here are some pictures attached

Thanks!

BMur · #2 07-10-2019, 08:40 PM

Welcome to the Forum,
Looks like you have a very nice 1st Model 32cal centerfire Safety revolver. Manufactured from 1888-1902.
Lots of folks on this forum shoot them if they are functioning well as yours seems to be. The .32 S&W cf cartridge is a mild load even in smokeless. There are also original black powder loads available. I like that you used snap caps to test the firing pin. Good idea. The Smith and Wesson emblem on the side plate arrived around the turn of the century.

smoothshooter · #3 07-10-2019, 09:00 PM

I thought the Lemon Squeezer guns were round and did not even look like a gun. You held them in the palm of your hand and squeezed anrounded lever to fire the things.

Am I mistaken?

kennyb · #4 07-10-2019, 10:50 PM

Looks very nice,mine shoots fine

CapnB · #5 07-10-2019, 10:53 PM

No, Smoothshooter, the term refers to those top break revolvers resembling the kitchen appliance of that era used to squeeze lemons. Nothing to do with how they are fired.
Cheers,
Doug

BMur · #6 07-10-2019, 11:58 PM

I honestly can't find a single Antique Lemon Squeezer that even remotely looks anything like a Smith & Wesson 32 Safety model revolver. It's a ridiculous term really.

The term is in reference to the safety on the grip that requires squeezing in order to discharge the weapon. Followed by the spitting of .32 caliber lemon drops from the barrel.

glowe · #7 07-11-2019, 09:09 AM

Welcome. The accepted name for your revolver is 32 Safety, First Model, made from 1888 to 1902, with just over 91,000 made. Your revolver would have shipped most likely in 1895, making is an antique according to the BATF.

As for the S&W logo, there were several different locations, sizes, and no logo eras over the years and most models followed the same timeframes. Early S&Ws prior to 1896 had no logo stamped anywhere on the gun. The large logos on the right side of the guns started with the introduction of the 32 Hand Ejector, 1st Model, or what is often called the Model 1896, and ended around 1916. There was a no logo era from around 1916 to 1920. The next change was to place a small logo on left side of the revolver and that ran from 1920 to 1936. From that time to before the start of WII, guns went back to a large logo was moved to the right side.

The "Protector" Palm Pistol was first called a lemon squeezer, which was probably the most appropriate use of the term, since the gun was round and you literally squeezed it in the palm of your hand to fire. The term than became popular with external safety hammerless revolvers, but has over the years been most often associated with the cheap copies of S&W Hammerless guns and the use of the term by S&W collectors is often disliked.

I am an avid shooter of all my collection and often shoot my 32 & 38 Safety Revolvers. You will note that if you pull the trigger back slowly, there is a slight catch in the pull. You can hold the trigger at that position and aim the gun before the last slight pull to fire. Accuracy is greatly improved using this method of shooting. Get a box of 32 S&W and have fun.

My grandfather owned one and I now have it. He shot many vermin in the barn over the years and it would dispatch a raccoon quickly. I would not want to be shot with one! There are records of this caliber being carried by police departments prior to 1900. Most were bought to be placed in a bedside drawer for personal protection, so there are lots of them in great condition out there even after over a 120 years.