.32 CF SA Top Break -- New Acquisition

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

A short time ago, I got a couple of "new members" for the col-
lection. Recently, I have acquired an interesting .32 CF SA (some
calling them .32 CF 1-1/2).

The interesting part (to me) is the grips are the mottled type. Also,
the grips are an earlier version with the block "S&W" at the top of
the grips.

There is the remnants of an original box (without serial number)
so please look at the pics and educate me on the early mottled
grips and ones that have the block letters at the top.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[H Richard]

Here's one in blue, with the same mottled red grips. These were available in several colors, blue, green and yellow to my understanding, but seldom seen. The red seems (to me) to be the most common color.

I'm sorry I can't recall the logo type, it has been too long since I sold it, and my memory isn't what it used to be. I looked in my books and couldn't find any info on different logo's on the mottled grips. Hopefully someone more informed will be along.

Have you shot it? I was surprised how easy and accurate these can be ,(within 15 to 20 ft.).

 

[glowe]

The 32 Single Action revolver was introduced in 1878 and ran to 1892. That revolver did not yet have the familiar circular top section of the 38 Single Action and every model produced after that time. The 32 SA had three different designs. The stocks of the early production 32 guns were plain, with no design (1878) likely below serial number 10000. Shortly after introduction, the top section received the first S&W logo and ran for around a year (1879) before being changed to the Young logo for the rest of the run.

What is your serial number?

 

[glowe]

BTW, that box is just begging to be repaired. Give me a PM if you are interested in bringing it back from the dead.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I appreciate the pics of the early non-monogram grips.
I haven't seen them before (but I new they existed).

The serial number is 32072.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[glowe]

Thanks for the serial number. That one seems to fit into my research, having been shipped in 1879 or 1880. Apparently, they were available on very early examples in wood grips as well as those non-monogramed hare rubber

 

[Boulder350]

Here is serial number 32024. They made a batch of them in this serial range with mottled grips and 3" barrels. I have seen serial number 32046 and 32074 and they are the same configuration as ours. They made the red and black mottled style grips for this little 32 in all 3 styles of grips Gary posted.

I have read that they only put these grips on blued guns. Searching the internet I have found many 32 SA and 38 SA nickel guns that wear these mottled grips.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

"BTW, that box is just begging to be repaired. Give me a PM if you are interested in bringing it back from the dead"

I would be interested but it depends on cost. Here are some
more pics of the box so you can determine how much work it
would take to fix it.



Cheers,
Webb

 

[BMur]

Correct Grip timeline?

Very nice “mottled grip” 32cf Webb. Congrats on your acquisition.

I was waiting for Mark to chime in and comment based on his serial number notes and one thing that caught my attention was the type of grips seen mottled? All three?

Hmmm……I’m suggesting that the non monogram grips are primarily if not entirely early serial number production grips.

I have noticed from my studies the non monogram grips seen in photo 1 are more commonly seen on low serial numbered guns. IN fact from my notes they are always seen on early serial numbered guns when having a matching number on the inner right grip.

Still trying to prove who came out with the mottled grips first. If we can prove the early 1 1/2 32cf with eccentric mainspring (Pre-June 1878 according to Dr. Jinks Page 114 of his early book) actually had “mottled grips” we can call Smith & Wesson the origin of the Mottled grips on the 1 1/2 32 cf prior to JUNE of 1878. Which would beat Merwin and Hulbert by 3 solid months.

The truth is with an open mind, Mottled grips have a tendency to hop from one gun of poor condition to a higher grade gun there by increasing its value. That is not an opinion. It’s the truth.

I’m absolutely not suggesting Webb’s wonderful example is not original but I am suggesting that early mottled grips without the monogram seen in photo 2 “should be on early guns only”.

We see this grip transition on the Baby russian, why not the 1 1/2 32cf?

Grips did transition and are actually patented. So I’m suggesting the 1 1/2 cf grips also transitioned and any later serial numbered gun having NON monogram grips are suspect as originating from an earlier gun which is unfortunate from a research standpoint.

Especially if its a non monogram “mottled grip” seen in photo 2. Now residing on a later serial numbered gun. To me those grips should only be on very early guns.

Notice photo 3 and then a close up of photo 4 clearly shows a non perfect factory fit. So, yes I am suggesting these grips did not originate on this gun. I’m suggesting they first resided on an early serial numbered gun likely below serial number 7000. Which would have proven Smith & Wesson invented the mottled grip!

Murph

 

[mrcvs]

Further muddying the waters, here’s a .32 CF single action revolver, serial number 50035, significantly later than the OPs revolver and others mentioned in the thread, with the earlier, and mottled, grips, without S & W logos of either style on the grips. The grips appear to be original to this revolver.

Smith & Wesson 1 1/2 Revolver 32 S&W | Rock Island Auction

 

[glowe]

It could have been a request for mottled stocks from the buyer and the factory found an older style to put on. These were fast selling guns and some 50,000+ guns shipped as early as 1881, so still only three years after introduction. Many of those mottled stocks were placed on guns with standard hard rubber to "dress" them up and, unfortunately, some were serial numbered by the collectors. It seems that the stocks do not fit that well if one enlarges the only photo.

 

[Boulder350]

This morning I pulled out my six 32 SA revolvers and removed the grips on all of them. The earliest serial numbered gun, 43xx I could not find any marks on the inside top of the right grip. The next 4 from serial number 29xxx to 43xxx had pencil marks. One gun had serial number 71xxx scratched on the grips.

All 3 guns with mottled grips had the serial number in pencil. The dark mottled grips matched the frame, serial number 43xxx. Another was marked but did not match the gun. The third gun is serial number 32,024 and I could only read part of the numbers. The numbers I could read matched the numbers on the frame in the right sequence. It took me a minute to find the numbers using a light and rotating the grips at just the right angle.

So far I have info on 330 serial numbers of these 32 SA revolvers. It looks like the transition between the plain checkered grips and the Block letter SW grips happened in the 15000 serial number range. The only mottled plain checkered grips I have seen to this point are from the gun 3 people posted above.

 

[BMur]

I’m reaching

Yeah,
I realize I’m reaching here without solid ground to stand on but there is a pattern of earlier serial numbered guns having only the non monogram grips. I have serial numbers;
406
1772
1861

No strain screw and all have non monogram grips with matching “scratched” numbers on the right grip. That is from my log.

I think if we find an eccentric screw early serial numbered gun with mottled grips that would be the icing on the cake since Mr. Jinks has confirmed from factory records that variation was discontinued in June of 1878.

We can also look closely on examples having mottled grips with no monogram and see if they fit perfectly. They “must” fit perfectly if factory installed. Over lapping or under sized is NOT a factory fit set of grips.

So I’m convinced that the non monogram mottled grips photo’d on this thread are from a low serial numbered gun and would confirm early production if we found a number on the inside of the grip that was lower than the 50,000 serial number. To me those aren’t right for that late a serial number. Plus, they don’t fit!

Murph

 

[Muley Gil]

I've owned a couple of these 1 1/2 revolvers. The .32 S&W round is really under-powered. I shot a coke can with one & it barely knocked the can off of a fence post at 5 feet.

They point really well. I wish S&W had built these in a stronger frame that would handle high speed .22 Long Rifle.