Bought this at auction along with a Remington New Model 31 caliber pocket revolver.
The Hammerless barrel measures slightly under
1-1/2" with caliber perfectly centered no patent dates anywhere.

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	20240329_173053.jpg (87.4 KB, 179 views)

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Randy

They made some 1-1/2" ones. Might be worth a letter to find out.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Well, it's going to be fun watching you guys bat this one around. I found some pics of 1.5" bicycle guns and the barrels are all longer than the under lug. And most, but not all, of the front sights are pinned. This one does not look pinned.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

For what it's worth the SCSW says "On rare 2" barrel front sight may be pinned, or forged" I would imagine this might apply to the 1-1/2" barrels as well. A letter probably will be the only way to know
for certain. Going to ask Roy for a ship date, and hope for a hint 😉
EDIT under strong light a pin can be seen...
Barrel measures 1-7/16" actually.

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Randy

Here's a sold listing for a 1.5" that shows what I'm talking about:
Smith & Wesson BICYCLE Revolver 32 cal RARE 1 1/2" Barrel Factory Letter 97% 3rd Model

And I grabbed a pic from the site so that when the listing disappears, this post will still have some relevance.

(Not trying to diminish the subject gun of this thread, by the way. Just a point of interest.)

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Smith-and-Wesson-BICYCLE-Revolver-32-cal-RARE-1-1-2inch-Barrel-Factory-Letter-97-3rd-Model_1012.jpeg (45.7 KB, 94 views)

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Just Say No - To Social Media

Not sure what you are seeing on mine the barrel is slightly longer than the underlug granted not by much. Granted it is a 1/16" shorter than 1-1/2", but I've seen that much variation before in barrel length not very noticeable say on a 6" barrel. I am optimistic from what I see holding it with the very well centered caliber marking. If it were any other barrel length the caliber marking would be set further forward closer to the muzzle, and if the barrel were cut would be immediately evident. Again I'm not saying it's original, but I do like what I'm seeing anyway for under 3 Benjamin's I'm happy....

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Randy

I can see the pin

Perfect for under the poker table.

Really cool revolver. The shortest safety hammerless I have seen with a cast front sight integral with the barrel is 2". All factory 1 1/2" barrels I've have seen have seen have pinned front sights. My guess is it's a nicely done cut barrel after leaving the factory. Can you post pictures of the top of the barrel and of the end of the barrel from different angles?

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Mark

Maybe it's the differing angles of the 2 photos. Your under lug just looks a tad shorter than the example I found. (all the examples, actually)

The point about the caliber marking is interesting. My quick search didn't turn up anything on a short barreled revolver showing any caliber marking at all.

Like I said, I'm not beating up on your gun in any way. Original or not, it's a fun little firearm.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

The location of the SMITH & WESSON on the 38 New Departure, 4th Change is as you show on all barrel lengths offered, so no help in identifying the authenticity of the revolver. The gun has definitely been re-nickeled as shown by the sideplate seam. Even the letter shown in this thread from GI does not state that gun was shipped with a 1 1/2" barrel, only that a 1 1/2" barrel was rare??

We need serial numbers and detailed photos of the muzzle, front sight, and top rib slot to come up with more focused opinions.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Well after cleaning the muzzle saw something that doesn't belong on an original uncut barrel a split where the sight was installed.

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Randy

I see that now. Looks like they milled a slot into the top rib instead of using a circular cutter. I will tell you that I still own a half-dozen cut-barrel snubbies and just hate to sell them. I assist at a concealed carry class and often stuff them all in various pieces of clothing and take one at a time out of hiding while talking. People are just mystified by snub-nosed top break little S&W. My favorite is an early 38 Safety, nickel that just looks right even though it was cut.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Quick question on factory short barreled New Departures. What are more
encountered, 32 or 38 cal?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Most likely it is the 32 Safety or the true Bicycle Gun as it was advertised by S&W.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I'll agree with glowe as I seem to find six original short barreled .32's to every factory .38 short barreled revolver. This is only my observation over 60 years of collecting.

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Mike Maher #283

Gary, thanks. That is logical. Is anybody running a database?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I keep a database of existing short barreled guns in 32 and 38 in 1 1/2", 2", and 2 1/2" guns. The 2" 32 is the easiest to track because of the factory markings. The 38's are harder because they don't have distinguishing marks. I only track factory lettered guns for the 1 1/2" and 2 1/2" guns.

They started making 32 cal factory production run guns around serial number 86,000.

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Mark

If you want S/N's of short barreled 32's, 155787 which shipped 10/15/13,






It was passed on to another collector a couple years ago.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Does anyone have information/database on New Departure/Safety Hammerless revolvers with 6" barrels. I recently acquired one in .32; now I'm looking for the .38...

Thank you!