.32 Lemon squeezer with 1.5" Barrel

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Twaits, I'm like you. Probably wouldn't have bid, but would have had second thoughts. Would have been a great addition to my Smith family.
 
Yeah it is a great little gun. I think I would have thought more seriously about bidding had it been 38 caliber. But I don't know if S&W even made any 38 cals with the 1.5" barrel
 
Yeah it is a great little gun. I think I would have thought more seriously about bidding had it been 38 caliber. But I don't know if S&W even made any 38 cals with the 1.5" barrel

The book says 2" to 6". So I would be dubious regarding originality unless it was accompanied by a factory letter documenting the shorter barrel was shipped. I think a large number of SH revolvers have chopped barrels, some which appear to have been professionally done. There are previous postings regarding this.
 
The "Book" indicates at least one 1 3/8th " barrel known to exist, sold at James Julia Mar. 03 for $3910. If this letters even in this condition worth well over the selling price.
 
I have a .38 with what looks to be a 1 3/4 barrel, nickel with pearl grips. It is about 90%.
 
But I don't know if S&W even made any 38 cals with the 1.5" barrel
Twaits,

Yes, both 32 & 38 Caliber 1 1/2" Safety's do exist as I have owned a few in both Calibers over the years that "Lettered" being shipped in that configuration!!

Also...with a high degree of certainty...the Revolver was "Original" given the Correct Abbreviated Barrel Address...plus the fact the Address was roll-marked about 1/4" farther back the Barrel than it is found on 2" 32 & 38 Safety's!! Even given the condition I believe it was worth twice what it went for..."Likely More"...Just My Opinion!!
 
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As Masterpiece says, the gun is 100% correct and if it sold at the price indicated, it was the steal of the week! I'm sure it will letter as a special order. 1 1/2 inch barrels were never cataloged but could be had as special orders. The first ones shipped that I know of was a pair, special ordered by a bank official, that were in the Bill Maier collection. They were shipped a few months before the first 2 inch barrel was shipped. The 2 inch barrels were later cataloged as Bicycle Guns, but the 1 1/2 inch guns were never cataloged. The defining clue as to whether the short barreled guns are factory is the location of the barrel stamping. It will be either on the side of the barrel, as was the gun sold, or on the top strap extending over the frame. Guns with aftermarket chopped barrels will have the remaining roll stamping on the barrel rib. Somewhere around the 65,000 serial range, the new shorter roll die for stamping the side of barrels on the snubbie guns appeared in approx. 1893-4 era. Ed.
 
My 1/34 has Smith&Wesson ending 1/4 of an inch from the front of the cylinder on the left side and .38 S&W CTG on the right side. Nothing on the top strap. Serial # is245XXX. New to old Smith collecting and don't know too much about them.
 
My 1 3/4 has Smith&Wesson ending 1/4 of an inch from the front of the cylinder on the left side and .38 S&W CTG on the right side.
blaine1081,

Any chance of you posting some photos of your 1 3/4" Safety?? Reason I ask is I'm sure the others here...along with myself...would like to see it given in all the years I collected S&W Safety Hammerless Revolvers I never ran across one with a "True" 1 3/4" Barrel Length..Or Could "Possibly" Letter As Being Original!! Also curious to know if the Frt. Sight is Pinned or Forged to the Barrel given it's a 5th Model...I'm Suspecting Pinned!!
 
As Masterpiece says, the gun is 100% correct and if it sold at the price indicated, it was the steal of the week! I'm sure it will letter as a special order. 1 1/2 inch barrels were never cataloged but could be had as special orders. The first ones shipped that I know of was a pair, special ordered by a bank official, that were in the Bill Maier collection. They were shipped a few months before the first 2 inch barrel was shipped. The 2 inch barrels were later cataloged as Bicycle Guns, but the 1 1/2 inch guns were never cataloged. The defining clue as to whether the short barreled guns are factory is the location of the barrel stamping. It will be either on the side of the barrel, as was the gun sold, or on the top strap extending over the frame. Guns with aftermarket chopped barrels will have the remaining roll stamping on the barrel rib. Somewhere around the 65,000 serial range, the new shorter roll die for stamping the side of barrels on the snubbie guns appeared in approx. 1893-4 era. Ed.

Yup, the more I think about this the more I am kicking myself now for not buying it. Originals with barrels this short almost never come up for sale. This gun was indeed a bargain at the price paid.
 

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