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Sometimes a picture helps to locate the serial number on the barrel

I agree with Murph on the chronology. Here is one that recently sold at auction. Picked it for $35 plus fees.

Shrapnel, Is there a serial number on the latch and a serial number on the barrel? Sometimes they did not stamp all areas with the serial number on special order guns or returns to the factory.

In searching the internet, found this letter from 30 years ago. Not much info available on these guns. Maybe more has surfaced in the last 30 years

Nice revolver! The tag on the gun said it went back to the factory for a rebuild in 1915. Is there a date stamp on the frame under the grips?

Its reported in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson that the New Model 3 between serial numbers 27,942 and 28,017 were all chambered in 32-44 and 38-44. Does anyone know why these were made outside the New Model 3 target serial numbers or who requested this special run? Does anyone have...

Here are the 2 vintage reprints of S&W catalogs that I have. There is a separate page for the Bicycle model in 32 S&W Safety Hammerless. This 2" model is not listed in the Safety Hammerless section for the 32 or 38.

I know the 2" 38's were custom ordered before they were made in production runs. Not sure when the production runs started. As a side note on the 38 S&W SH with 1 1/2" barrels, there appears to be way more than 15 made. I have found 7 guns with this barrel length that I are custom orders from...

The 32 S&W Standard Production Bicycle gun appeared to be offered in 1898. I have one that letters being shipped Nov 11th, 1898. The serial number is in the 86k range and the letter states that it was one of the first 2" 32's that was shipped. My opinion is that there are way more 32 S&W 2"...

If a 32 S&W Safety Hammerless with a 2" barrel is called a Bicycle gun, what do we call a 38 S&W Safety Hammerless with a 2" barrel. They appear to be used more by detectives and police departments.

The Model of 91 single shot barrels fit several models. They were originally designed for the 38 single action 3rd model frame. You could buy just the barrel without a frame and then mount the barrel to a frame you already owned. You could also take the barrel from one frame and install it on...

Sorry to report that you do not have a Model of 91 Single Action Revolver. It is a double action revolver with a Single Shot barreled installed. Notice the location of the trigger on your gun compared to the picture I posted. Are there serial numbers on the latch and on the barrel of the...

I started to track the short barreled models too. I do this to learn more about the model and the frequency of it since I don't have access to factory production records. The 2" 32 safety hammerless is a lot easier to verify its a real factory production gun with the markings on the side of...

My avatar has a pair of blued 38 SA 2nd models like yours. Both serial numbers are in the early 92,xxx range and have mottled grips. They letter as being shipped in January of 1884. One went to Chicago and the other went to New York. I have a nickel 5" barrel gun with a swivel and serial...

Ralph - Right now I have 8 perfected single shots that currently wear an 8" barrel in my notes. Your 8" is the only one that has a letter for it verifying it shipped from the factory with an 8". I can't always verify if the patents are centered or if the serial numbers match on the shorter...

Very interesting Ralph. I did not have those in my notes, thanks. They are very early perfected models. That 6" you had is the only one I have recorded so far of the 3rd model

I have six 32 S&W single shot loose barrels. The two 10" were machined fancy flat, the 2 nickel ones were not. One was started machining flat but was not completed. I track features on the single shot 3rd models (perfected) and have 156 guns in my research. Only one is nickel. Not sure if...

Here are pictures of the barrels. The 8" nickel one is complete with no serial number on it. The 6" blue one is missing a bunch of parts, has no serial number on it, and is machined fancy flat on the bottom. The machining is not buffed and is still in the white even though the rest of the...

Well Murph, you are making me feel bad. Maybe I should have bid more. I enjoy studying this model. There are so many variations. I have two loose single shot barrels in 38 S&W. One is an 8" one and the other is a 6" one. Don't know why they ever made a 6" one. Guess it can be more...

I think this barrel started life as a single shot barrel. The cylinder of a 38 S&W is 1.21" long. 10' - 1.21" = 8 3/4.