1917 S&W Lemon Squeezer 1" barrel

[milwlandrover]

I just purchased a 1917 Lemon Squeezer - Nickel plated - original pearl grips - 1" barrel. it came with a certificate of authenticity stating it shipped in 1917 to New Orleans in an order for (20} 2, 3 and 3.5" barreled revolvers. It said my 1" barrel may have been modified as he did not recognize the sight. I took the gun to a couple local guys and both said the barrel looked original. The sight has a number 35-A on one side and "MARBLE" on the other side. Any ideal what I have

 

[opoefc]

That's not a one inch barrel. It's probably 1 & 1/2. Measure from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle. The Marble sight is an after market addition, not factory. . The gun has been refinished, at least once. Stocks could be original. Is the gun's serial number inked on the back of the right stock ? Ed

 

[Kinman]

Thats a nice job anyway you cut it...I'm building one right now and I think 1-3/4" might allow the lettering to balance on the 2" barrel I'm cutting down...yours looks significantly more than 1", I agree with Ed.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Ed sounds all negative but the pearl grips appear to be factory. Oops, Ed actually said that...

 

[milwlandrover]

You are correct. from the front of the cylinder to the tip of the barrel 1.5"

 

[milwlandrover]

serial number 212118Y

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Is that serial number off the butt of the grip frame?

 

[opoefc]

Check the serial number again. It's not correct for a "Lemonsquezzer " Ser # should also be on the rear of the cylinder and on the bottom of the barrel latch and on the back of the barrel between the "ears " Ed

 

[cgt4570]

I have a couple similar 'bicycle guns'. One even has factory pearls like yours. If the front sight slot isn't cut into the patent info on top of the barrel, then it's the original barrel length. The caliber roll mark looks correctly centered for a factory snub.
The front sight was most likely upgraded to the Marble's Sheard target to improve shootability. I have a few of those in my parts stash. It's definitely easier to see than the factory extremely thin half moon front sight. That in itself will have little to no effect on value.
(if you want an original front sight, I have several NOS half moons that should be correct).
Yours appears to be in excellent condition.
Show a pic of the other side and of the top of the barrel rib and we can tell you if the finish is original.
My only inkling that it could have been refinished (professionally) is the sideplate gap is more visible than I'm used to seeing on untouched guns. It might just be the angle and lighting.
Since the case colors on the trigger are still vivid, it's probably original.
Nice find and it will make a fun shooter!

 

[jframejoey]

Marble is to rifles as King is to handgun sights. Not sure Ive seen one for a handgun before.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a 3" 1896 Safety Hammerless, I had a holster made for my suspenders, and I've started carrying it when I'm dressed up as a BUG.

Ivan

yours is a beauty!!!

 

[BMur]

Certificate of authenticity?

What exactly is a certificate of authenticity regarding an old non antique firearm?
I trust my eyes and instincts. I see a restored and altered gun with very nice factory pearls that are not original since they don't fit the grip frame. Also, if you look closely the screw is not centered in the Pearl scale? Which is unfortunate since the scale has been Shaved shorter to semi- fit this frame. Which in my opinion destroys value! I also see a well cut barrel since the barrel rib is too far back from the muzzle. So many altered guns out there now it's amazing. The " Factory " 1 1/2" barrel is " Extremely Rare" !! But altered guns are extremely common.

Looking at that grip frame? It looks like it's been shortened also! I'd like to see a photo of the frame with the shaved pearl grips off the gun. That would have removed the serial number!!!! I'm liking this altered gun less and less. Get your money back!!!


Murph

 

[BMur]

Grip pin

If you look closely? You can actually see the grip pin hole visible at the bottom of the scale! You'd have to shave 1/2" off the grip to see that hole. What the heck happened to this gun!!!

Murph

 

[singleshot1891]

My factory lettered 1 1/2"bbl. .32 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model has no markings whatsoever on the barrel.
It shipped to West Virginia in 1937.

WB

 

[murphydog]

Two points (that may have already been made)?

The letter of authenticity states this one was not originally a 1 1/2" barreled gun, so that (and the front sight) indicate it has been altered. In addition to the information on other guns in the shipment, didn't the letter state the original barrel length on this one?

It would have also stated if the MOP stocks came with the gun. I don't know if the dimensions are the same, but these may have been shortened from a gun with a longer grip frame, like an I size.

So, absent evidence of a factory modification such as a rework stamp, what you appear to have is a cool looking but non-original gun.

 

[glowe]

I did not see the OP state that there was a letter?? The factory offered a front target sight for many years and offered it in their catalogs, but it was was a Lyman not Marbles?? Grab a good magnifier heck again to make sure what you have.

 

[murphydog]

Gary, I took "certificate of authenticity" and the mention of other guns in the shipment in the OP as evidence of the letter.

 

[glowe]

Thanks, Will never get used to that name, it will always be a factory letter to me.

 

[milwlandrover]

Ok, let me clear some of this up. The ACTUAL serial number is 212167 and it is found on the bottom of the grip frame and on the cylinder of the revolver. The Cert of Authenticity reads, "We have researched your Smith &Wesson Third Model caliber .32 revolver in company records which indicate serial number 212167 was shipped from our factory on January 18,1917 and delivered to A. Baldwin and Co. New Orleans LA. The invoice for the shipment is not available. Shipping records indicate that the shipment was for 20 units and the factory offered this model in 2.3.3.5 and 6" barrel lengths. Based on the special sights it would appear that at some point this revolver could have been modified."

 

[BMur]

Great info

That's Great info,
Can you now grace us with a few more photo's of the gun? Grips off?, Muzzle? That's about all I'd like to see.

Let's cut to the chase. Look at 3 photos of original unaltered Factory pearl grips. Then look at the last photo of the " Chopped" grips with shaved frame on the OP's gun and if there is a number? It's re-stamped! NO QUESTION!

Look at where the main spring adjustment screw is on the unaltered Guns! Now look at the OP's chopped gun?




Murph