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04-14-2025, 12:25 PM
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Bicycle Gun?
Hello all:
Attached are pictures of what I believe to be a 2” .32 Third Model Safety Hammerless New Departure Bicycle Gun, recently acquired. The serial number falls just shy of the end of the Third Model serial number range (240xxx, the last being 242xxx ). It has the forged front sight. It is in superb condition with minor (holster?) wear (muzzle and some high points). All numbers, in all the right places, match.
The questions that I have for those of you with great knowledge of these things…
1. Hallmarks?! I cannot find pictures or information about these guns with Hallmarks. Any ideas about the markings? Who may have done them, from where (England?), when and why?
2. Barrel roll marks. Do they appear correct?
3. Does the gun appear to be an authentic factory original or modified, a later redo?
As always, thank you in advance for everyone’s help. The knowledge base here in the Forum is invaluable!
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04-14-2025, 01:16 PM
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I cannot answer any of your questions but I'm sure that someone on this forum will be able to do so.
I just have to tell you how cool I think that gun is. Congratulations on acquiring it.
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04-14-2025, 01:19 PM
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I can't comment about the hallmarks. The barrel and roll marks are legit. There is no doubt that it is authentic.
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Mike Maher #283
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04-14-2025, 01:43 PM
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I believe those are Italian smokeless powder proof marks.
The “PSF” stands for “Polvere Senza Fumo.”
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Mark Lathem
Last edited by Frailer; 04-14-2025 at 01:45 PM.
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04-14-2025, 03:27 PM
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04-14-2025, 03:37 PM
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Hello Giorgio in Padova. Thanks for the proof info. Mike
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Mike 2796
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04-14-2025, 03:45 PM
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In photo number 4, there are three proofmarks on the barrel. The middle one is, as Mark says, the smokeless powder proof. My example book has a wreathed star over the PSF instead of a crown, but my NRA book was published in 1988, so the mark on the old 32 probably reflects Italy then still using a royal crown instead of the republic's star. The proof mark on the right, closest to the frame is, as best as I can make it out, the definitive proof mark of the Gardone proof house.
Last edited by erikpolcrack; 04-14-2025 at 03:46 PM.
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04-14-2025, 07:55 PM
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Thanks for the comments and the link to the Gardone proofs. You guys are great! Was there a Smith/Italy connection? Any ideas as to how this early 30’s piece came to have Italian proofs, or is this mabe an Italian reproduction? If a reproduction, would it have matching serial numbers on the barrel latch, cylinder and the bottom of the frame between the grips?
Last edited by DrBay; 04-14-2025 at 08:31 PM.
Reason: Added the last question.
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04-15-2025, 09:05 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrBay
Thanks for the comments and the link to the Gardone proofs. You guys are great! Was there a Smith/Italy connection? Any ideas as to how this early 30’s piece came to have Italian proofs, or is this mabe an Italian reproduction? If a reproduction, would it have matching serial numbers on the barrel latch, cylinder and the bottom of the frame between the grips?
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Countries with Proof Laws require guns to be submitted to the government proofing system before they can be sold. The proof marks indicate it went through the mandatory proof system and is legal to sell in that country. It is not a replica, simply a gun that at one time was imported into Italy.
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04-15-2025, 09:21 AM
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That is an honest to goodness 32 S&W Bicycle Gun, properly known as a 32 Safety, 3rd Model. They were in serial number range 170,000 to 242981. One example in the 238,000 range sold in 1929. The serial number you provided is very near the end of inventory for the factory so it could easily have sold in 1933 and shipped to Italy. S&W sold their guns to several distributors in Europe.
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04-15-2025, 11:05 AM
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I have a nic. 2", 32S&W but Sn. 137951. Looks kosher with 2line
address on right side?
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Mike 2796
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04-15-2025, 11:36 AM
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I had one S/N 155767, a 2nd Mod, nickle, shipped June 1907.
I think the blued ones are nicer looking.
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H Richard
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04-16-2025, 02:37 AM
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Thanks for the info. More pictures added…
More good info and good to hear that the gun is legit. Thanks!
Coincidentally, I had a box at home for a 3” blue New Departure. I bought the box for $10 a couple of years ago at a local show. I bought it because it was very old, unusual to me and in nice shape. Save for the 3” barrel length on the label, the box appears to be correct for my 2” blue 3rd Model .32.
The correct box for a Model 3 is shown on pg. 90 SCSW 4th Ed
Last edited by DrBay; 04-16-2025 at 02:48 AM.
Reason: Edited the wording in a few sentences.
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