Things are never quite always the same when it comes to S&W. Here's my .32 Bicycle Gun with the markings on the LEFT side of the barrel.
2 in. SA .38
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Things are never quite always the same when it comes to S&W. Here's my .32 Bicycle Gun with the markings on the LEFT side of the barrel.
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I'm voting for a factory re-barrel done after-the-fact. The service records may or may not exist in the S&WHF records that haven't yet been digitized ... but I simply don't see someone else cobbling together a barrel with roll marks like that.
In any event, it's a nice looking piece.
Mike
mmaher94087
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OK, I choked badly. The roll marks are on the LEFT side of the barrel on the 1st Model, .32 Safety Hammerless. Anyone that's been around me knows I have troubles with right and left and this was no different. Anyone need directions to the store???
Major Distributor?
Actually,
There is one other possibility. It's also very possible that this person walked into a Major Distributor in Say New York and asked them to put a 2" barrel on it for them. Major Distributors had a huge stock pile of parts for all guns available. they would purchase parts directly from the factory.
The Distributor could have placed the Order for the barrel only with Smith & Wesson some time after 1887 when they were more willing to meet special orders. That would also fit since there is no record of the work done. Perhaps that is what Mr. Jinks was trying to say in the letter.
However, that doesn't answer the question regarding the "matching serial number"....so.... I guess we go back to the question regarding the die stamps on the barrel serial number.....Do they match the die stamps on the rest of the gun? If they do then it's definitely factory....If they don't then it's likely and early Distributor in house job.
Murph
Actually,
There is one other possibility. It's also very possible that this person walked into a Major Distributor in Say New York and asked them to put a 2" barrel on it for them. Major Distributors had a huge stock pile of parts for all guns available. they would purchase parts directly from the factory.
The Distributor could have placed the Order for the barrel only with Smith & Wesson some time after 1887 when they were more willing to meet special orders. That would also fit since there is no record of the work done. Perhaps that is what Mr. Jinks was trying to say in the letter.
However, that doesn't answer the question regarding the "matching serial number"....so.... I guess we go back to the question regarding the die stamps on the barrel serial number.....Do they match the die stamps on the rest of the gun? If they do then it's definitely factory....If they don't then it's likely and early Distributor in house job.
Murph
Last edited:
Major Distributor Part II
If we look through period catalogs?
As an example these photos taken from The Schoverling, Daily & Gales Major Distributor catalog CIRCA 1892
You can clearly see that they maintained a complete stock of parts for many guns of that period. There are several more pages of shotguns, rifles, and pistols of all makes and models.
Notice they also stocked the rare 8" & 10" barrels available for all 32 and 38 cal SA & DA top breaks as well as the scarce 4" barrel for the DA 44's. So anything is possible from the Major Distributor in New York at that time frame.
They most definitely had qualified on site gunsmiths that could have easily made any alterations requested by a client. From my research they also had indoor ranges For a potential client to actually test fire firearms prior to purchasing.
I would imagine that the parts would have had NO serial number. So, did the Distributor number the part to match? I have no idea.
Murph
If we look through period catalogs?
As an example these photos taken from The Schoverling, Daily & Gales Major Distributor catalog CIRCA 1892
You can clearly see that they maintained a complete stock of parts for many guns of that period. There are several more pages of shotguns, rifles, and pistols of all makes and models.
Notice they also stocked the rare 8" & 10" barrels available for all 32 and 38 cal SA & DA top breaks as well as the scarce 4" barrel for the DA 44's. So anything is possible from the Major Distributor in New York at that time frame.
They most definitely had qualified on site gunsmiths that could have easily made any alterations requested by a client. From my research they also had indoor ranges For a potential client to actually test fire firearms prior to purchasing.
I would imagine that the parts would have had NO serial number. So, did the Distributor number the part to match? I have no idea.
Murph
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