32 Safety Hammerless (1st Model)

[NavySCPO]

Picked this old and worn example up today at a local pawn shop. I probably wouldn't have, but as I walked by the case I heard this "Psst, Danny, help me, I need a new home…Puhlease!". Sometimes these old ones speak to me, and the voices in my head are not wrong that often, crazy, but hardly ever wrong.

$300 OTD looks a little high by the book, but probably pretty close. Needs a good clean and polish, but that's the fun part. Took the grips and side plate off carefully, it was dry as a bone, no dirt or grease, just dry and very clean. Smooth as can be mechanically, nice little revolver.

Anyway, I think this is a 32 Safety Hammerless First Model, based on the push down barrel latch and serial number (65912), all 3 locations match. I'll check with Roy to be sure, might even be before 1900. But first like you folks to confirm it's what I think it is, and rough value if you don't mind.

BTW, the book says S&W changed the Safety Spring from flat to coiled around SN 53000, this one is after that, but has a flat spring, unusual, or just a normal Smith quirk?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Whoa, Danny! Nice catch!

 

[NavySCPO]

Whoa, Danny! Nice catch!

Thanks, I overpaid a little I think, but it's a hand me down and won't be for sale. The kids can do what they want when I'm gone. The beauty of having 6 kids, 12 grandkids and 1 great grandkid…someone will like it.

 

[The Mighty S&W]

Congrats on a nice find. I wouldn't worry about what you paid for the gun. To put things into perspective, you can hardly buy a case of low end 9mm range ammo for $300.00 currently. I personally believe that these Safety Hammerless revolvers are moderately undervalued currently.

As a newcomer to Smith & Wesson, but an old hand when it comes to firearms in general, I am blown away by how inexpensive these guns are to be honest. I realize that they were produced for a long period of time, and that there were a lot of them produced. Still, they are among the earlier models of revolver produced by one of the most iconic firearms manufacturers in history, and likely the most famous company when it comes to revolvers bar none. Many of them were produced when Daniel B. Wesson himself was still alive, and when you consider their age, it is hard to imagine that they will remain this affordable forever.

I have spent quite a few hours simply examining the .38 Safety Hammerless that I recently acquired here, and the quality of these little guns is surprising to me. It is evident that they were built during a time when a lot of skilled labor and pride went into their manufacture, and this is further evidenced by the number of them that remain in very serviceable condition more than 100 years after they were assembled.

Enjoy that little .32, and don't let it's cost worry you for a second. I suspect that as time goes on, more people like myself, who are new to the brand, will discover these guns and recognize them for the exceptional value that they offer. They are truly a piece of American firearms history, and of Smith & Wesson history. I am confident that they will appreciate over time. Even if they don't, the remainder of what I've said here is fact, and that alone easily justifies a $300.00 purchase in 2022 dollars all day long.

 

[glowe]

Thanks, I overpaid a little I think, but it's a hand me down and won't be for sale . . .

Well since you brought it up . . . I started collecting in the 1970s and only bought antique S&Ws in my early years. The unfortunate thing about most pocket S&Ws is that the value of these top-beak models have just not changed much in the last 25 years. If one has a pristine example of a 32 Safety, $300 might be good today, but a finish challenged example should not be close to that number.

The last 1st Model 32 Safety I picked one up was a 4 digit gun and had a holster. Bought it about 4 years ago for $110 and do not expect the value to have risen much today. There are 4 recent sales on Gunbroker averaging $150 selling price and I would not expect much different results for mine. A quarter-million made and too many survive today in great condition. Also, perhaps the least popular caliber S&W ever made.

Bottom line is these 32 Safety revolvers will almost be guaranteed to function just fine and will shoot quite accurately with a 3 1/2" barrel or longer.