32 Bicycle

[lechat]

I have buy recently this 32 safety 2'

the markings are left and 2 lines.

the number is 953XX.

Can you give me some information about date and explain me the variations of markings.

Thanks to everybody.

Michel

 

[gmborkovic]

Im away from my notes right now. Some were on the left and some on the right. I have a few. That is a righteous little 2". The box and grips are the frosting on the cake. Best

 

[H Richard]

32 Safety would date to about 1903-04. The 2" bicycle guns have a good following, and prices would be up around $500 - $700 for a nice one with a box in the U.S. This is one of the few S&W top breaks that were marked on the side, as the top strap was too small to hold the printing. That is the mark of a factory correct Bicycle 2". Nice gun.

What part of France do you reside in? I spent about a year in Chaumont, stationed with the USAF. Pretty area.

 

[lechat]

I'am not so far, in the east too, near Nancy.

Now the Chaumont base is a civil small aerodrome.

Chaumont is a nice, quite place, but very cold in winter

 

[opoefc]

.32 Safety hammerless Ser. # 95332 was shipped in Feb. 1901. As we know , S&W did not ship guns in serial number sequence, however your gun did probably ship very early in the 20th century, perhaps as a special order. It is a first model and one of the earlier guns to have the stamping on the side of the barrel. Prior to that, the first 2 inch guns had the stamping on the barrel ribs and top strap, as the die for the .38 DA was used and it overran the space on the barrel rib & top strap. You're very fortunate to find a 2 inch this early in production and still in it's original box. Congrats ! Ed.

 

[H Richard]

Yes, I recall how cold the Chaumont area was in the winter. But, the summer was very nice. We used to walk down a back road into town, and there was a small restaurant with sidewalk tables and there was a very nice view of the Aqueduct which was built by the Romans across the valley. Very peaceful to sit and rest and have a glass of Vino.

 

[les.b]

lechat:

thanks for sharing that neat treasure with us. Glad to see that some of our European members are allowed to engage in our passion for fine Smith and Wessons!

Best Regards, Les

 

[lechat]

Thanks to everybody for yours messages.

In Europe, the prices of antique american guns are usualy more expensive than in the US. I pay this one 900 € without the box (But I buy the box for ... 50 €).

But we can have sometimes chance with some rarities, factory engraved or cased revolvers, sold for the price of a standard gun.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Pas trop mal un prix. Perhaps a little high for the US market, but not by much. Congratulations!

 

[murphydog]

Yes, I recall how cold the Chaumont area was in the winter. But, the summer was very nice. We used to walk down a back road into town, and there was a small restaurant with sidewalk tables and there was a very nice view of the Aqueduct which was built by the Romans across the valley. Very peaceful to sit and rest and have a glass of Vino.

Vin blanc ou vin rouge?

Nice Bicycle Gun, by the way!

 

[glowe]

Woodlawn Boys sold a nice 32 Bicycle Gun in nickel for $730 without a box.

 

[lechat]

champagne, of cause !

Yes, Glowe, around 700 $ for a nice one seems a medium price in the US. The blue is a little more expansive than the nickel maybe.

With monogram grips it"s better too for the value.

 

[orbruce]

.32 Safety hammerless Ser. # 95332 was shipped in Feb. 1901. As we know , S&W did not ship guns in serial number sequence, however your gun did probably ship very early in the 20th century, perhaps as a special order. It is a first model and one of the earlier guns to have the stamping on the side of the barrel. Prior to that, the first 2 inch guns had the stamping on the barrel ribs and top strap, as the die for the .38 DA was used and it overran the space on the barrel rib & top strap. You're very fortunate to find a 2 inch this early in production and still in it's original box. Congrats ! Ed.

Ed,

This looks like a Second Model, not a First.

B. Mower

 

[orbruce]

Woodlawn Boys sold a nice 32 Bicycle Gun in nickel for $730 without a box.

It was a nice looking 2" Safety, refinished by the factory in 1965.

B. Mower

 

[H Richard]

Vin Rouge, most of the french beer wasn't to our taste. Somewhere I have 35mm slides of the valley with the aqueduct, If I ever find them and get converted to digital I'll try and remember to post pictures.