Since I've been spending a little time with my three 1896s lately, I've noticed a couple of differences between the two. One obvious, one was not so obvious, as shown in the pics below.
I'd like to invite other 1896 owners to share any other differences they have noticed in this model. I know that a short hammer spur was offered as well (I think Kleincaliber has one with a short hammer). There is also one pictured in the SCSW that has a very unusually long hammer spur.
I know there are also reported barrel lengths longer than the ones cataloged that could be had on special order. I don't know of any made at the factory with a barrel length shorter than 3 1/4 inch (The one pictured below has been shortened)
My hope it that this will be an informative thread on this early S&W that is one of my absolute favorites.
Below, the gun on the right has a 4th sideplate screw that was deleted in the later models. The one in the picture with the 4th screw was shipped on Sept. 26, 1896 and has the serial number 13017.
The other one was shipped August 9, 1901 and has the serial number 5917.
The cut down one above also has a deleted 4th screw and is serial number 4904. So far I believe that the higher the serial number on these the earlier the gun.
Note the back of the ratchet has two pins on the earlier variation:
On the later versions these two pins have been deleted:
Someone asked in another thread for pics of the internals so I thought I would post them here as well. Here's a couple of different guns apart:
Last edited by twaits; 04-17-2014 at 09:26 AM.
Reason: added info
I have a couple, but never noticed any subtle differences between them. Probably because they are from the same production time.
1896 pictured right, 4 screw sideplate.
1896 #2 also 4 screw sideplate. I don't have a photo of the right side of the revolver. They compare identically with one another.
Very interesting distinctions, thanks for sharing them with us.
Cheers;
Lefty
Last edited by Bell Charter Oak Holsters; 05-15-2011 at 10:30 AM.
Twaits, This 1896 is a 4 screw and has no pins on the ratchet is a 5 digit ser. at 117xx. I need to get off my chair and get this lettered. I've had it quite awhile.
Recently recieved back Factory letter on this Model of 1896. Very interesting that it was shipped 8 days before Twaits's number 5917. This revolver is a 5 digit ser# and 4 screw plate with no ratchet pins. I wonder if examples of this Model were made at an earlier date and sales and demand dictated when they were sent out to those distributers?
Recently recieved back Factory letter on this Model of 1896. Very interesting that it was shipped 8 days before Twaits's number 5917. This revolver is a 5 digit ser# and 4 screw plate with no ratchet pins. I wonder if examples of this Model were made at an earlier date and sales and demand dictated when they were sent out to those distributers?
Very interesting! Thanks for posting. I actually just sold serial number 5917. I will have to e-mail this link to the new owner.
It's strange how "all over the map" the serial numbers are for these guns. And also that extra sideplate screw which I always thought meant earlier guns. I guess that is not necessarily so.
The model 1896 was an entirely new design for S&W, as it was their first side swing cylinder revolver. Their competitors, Colt, Iver Johnson, etc. were also testing the waters with new side swing cylinder guns, so S&W's marketing strategy for new models was to make and ship high serial numbers first to their distributors, to intimidate the competition and give the impression the public was buying their gun as fast as they could come off the assembly lines. I don't think S&W was too much concerned about confusing collectors 100 yrs. later. Ed.
The model 1896 was an entirely new design for S&W, as it was their first side swing cylinder revolver. Their competitors, Colt, Iver Johnson, etc. were also testing the waters with new side swing cylinder guns, so S&W's marketing strategy for new models was to make and ship high serial numbers first to their distributors, to intimidate the competition and give the impression the public was buying their gun as fast as they could come off the assembly lines. I don't think S&W was too much concerned about confusing collectors 100 yrs. later. Ed.
Ed that is very interesting. Is that theory or known fact? That does seem like very good marketing strategy for the time and would definitely explain the high serial numbers on the early guns.
What was the total production of the 1896?
Weren't all the frames on these made pre 1898?
It's a known fact. Jinks has mentioned it several times in the past based on his research of the records, etc. Quite a few gun makers used the same strategy in their marketing, going back to the post Civil war era. The SCSW lists serial numbers for the Model of 1896 from 1 to 19,712 as made from 1896-1903, so where the stopping point was for pre 1898 vs. post 1898, I don't know. The ATF uses the ship date as the key date to determine antique status and I'm not aware the Floor Foreman's day books of production dates for the Model of 1896 still exist. If so, it would tell us the exact serial number of the last gun made 12/31/1898. Ed.
I presently own two S&W break oopeen revolvers wich is considered obsolete here . One in 38 S&W and one i 32 SW short .Both as New . But I also have parts for a 32 long Hand Ejector wich is a sideplate,rigth, with two sscrews hole and a complete cylinder and a barrel from 1902 . I have a permit to obtain the rest of parts for this gun but of course no one have so far sold me any than the parts I already have . I would be happy if someone could give me a adres for a dealer or some others for rest of the parts.olav.joh
I have a couple, but never noticed any subtle differences between them. Probably because they are from the same production time.
1896 pictured right, 4 screw sideplate.
1896 #2 also 4 screw sideplate. I don't have a photo of the right side of the revolver. They compare identically with one another.
Very interesting distinctions, thanks for sharing them with us.
Cheers;
Lefty
Lefty,
You may want to check the extractor knobs for a distinction between the two: some screw on and off and some are integral with the rod. Both exist thru out production.
I just missed getting one on Guns International for $550, good pearl grips, 90% nickel and in working order. Is that the going price for that condition? (serial #8,0XX)
I just posted these in another thread. But, they are worth repeating! The blue is from Jersey City NJ PD (1897) & the nickle is from 1899 issued by Newark NJ PD:
I presently own two S&W break oopeen revolvers wich is considered obsolete here . One in 38 S&W and one i 32 SW short .Both as New . But I also have parts for a 32 long Hand Ejector wich is a sideplate,rigth, with two sscrews hole and a complete cylinder and a barrel from 1902 . I have a permit to obtain the rest of parts for this gun but of course no one have so far sold me any than the parts I already have . I would be happy if someone could give me a adres for a dealer or some others for rest of the parts.olav.joh
Olaf.Joh if you still have the barrel I would be interested in same my e-mail address is [email protected], I live in New Jersey.
Last edited by James E. McCall; 02-14-2021 at 12:34 AM.
Reason: forgot 2nd part of name
I have two S&W .32 Hand Ejectors the first one is blued and in 100% condition date on barrel is Dec. 22.98 but barrel has been cut, serial # 228xxx, 4 screws sideplate , barrel has integral lug with latch for ejector rod which I haven't seen in the other photos also with large knob at end of ejector rod, also bottom of barrel and back of cylinder have same serial#. Also where hammer and back of frame there is no space between same, almost flush.Also has standard black grips with S&W logo at top.Also it appears that this handgun has NEVER BEEN FIRED as there is no residue at all at forcing cone which looks new and barrel is pristine. The second S&W ,.32 Hand Ejector is Nickel plated with 100% finish with full barrel also with underlug on barrel and large knob on end of ejector rod, 4 screw sideplate, Serial # 994xxx ,last date on barrel Dec. 29th, 14. bottom of barrel and back of cylinder also match serial # which is stamped on inside of grip which wood grips with S&W logo in gold finish. Also no space between hammer and back of frame. I don't believe that gun has EVER BEEN FIRED as there is no residue at forcing cone at all not even a little looks like new, cylinder is clean as a whistle and barrel is the same. Also a little note* a few years ago a friend of mine knowing I collect Cartridges gave me 4 .38 Special cartridges stamped W.W RIMFIRES , just wondering if S&W ever produced a handgun for that Cartridge?
.32 Hand Ejector barrel 4 1/2 inch. Olaf if you still have that barrel I could use it
Quote:
Originally Posted by olav.joh
I presently own two S&W break oopeen revolvers wich is considered obsolete here . One in 38 S&W and one i 32 SW short .Both as New . But I also have parts for a 32 long Hand Ejector wich is a sideplate,rigth, with two sscrews hole and a complete cylinder and a barrel from 1902 . I have a permit to obtain the rest of parts for this gun but of course no one have so far sold me any than the parts I already have . I would be happy if someone could give me a adres for a dealer or some others for rest of the parts.olav.joh
Olaf if you still have that barrel I can use it as it is what S&W call an "I" frame and the barrel on my gun has been cut behind the front sight which is no longer there . My last patent date on the barrel is Sept 14 1909 and also my gun is 99% pristine in the bluing except where the barrel has been cut . My e- mail address is [email protected] and I live in NJ and am a former LEO with 30 years service and US MARINE veteran with 5 years service and 4 years in reserve. I really need this barrel as I am unable to find one here in the US. Please contact me as I would like to buy both the barrel and cylinder even though my cylinder is comple and has all its bluing and is pristine.
Olaf if you still have that barrel I can use it as it is what S&W call an "I" frame and the barrel on my gun has been cut behind the front sight which is no longer there . My last patent date on the barrel is Sept 14 1909 and also my gun is 99% pristine in the bluing except where the barrel has been cut . My e- mail address is [email protected] and I live in NJ and am a former LEO with 30 years service and US MARINE veteran with 5 years service and 4 years in reserve. I really need this barrel as I am unable to find one here in the US. Please contact me as I would like to buy both the barrel and cylinder even though my cylinder is comple and has all its bluing and is pristine.
If you had the barrel trimmed and recrowned to 3 1/4” would all the lettering still be intact? Very easy to make/install a sight on that model. You’d have a standard barrel length for that model still with matching serial #.
Barrels are ‘unobtainium’ especially with like new blue finish.
1896 First Model HE / Different Variations
Smith & Wesson 32Cal 1896
Linear Mode
