.32 Safety Hammerless Help

[kunkled]

Hello all - I am new to this forum. I have inherited a S&W .32 safety hammerless with box and ammo, serial number 230545. The nickel appears to be in excellent condition, according to family the original box of shells are the only ones purchased and there are 36 left out of 50. The pistol box has a faint date of Oct 23, 1925 but I am not sure that it is right because of the fading. The problem with the gun was it was dropped many years ago and has the broken grip. The good grip has the serial number that matches the frame. I assume this gun is worth fixing. Where should I look for grips - reproductions, ebay, postings, etc? Do I only replace the 1 and leave the good one with the serial number? Pictures are below and any help will be appreciated.
thanks
Dave

 

[H Richard]

Lucky you! Excellent condition, and keep that box of ammo, it has collector value also. I'm traveling and don't have my book, but that 1925 date may not be far off. I'm sure someone will be along soon and tie it down a little closer.

Welcome to the S&W Forum!

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum Dave. You must have been studying the other posts, since you have great information and pictures of your Safety Hammerless. You have a 32 Safety Hammerless, Third Model which is numbered close to the end of production, sn 242,981. These were manufactured until 1937, so your gun was placed in its box in 1925. H Richard has as good a guess on ship date as possible, because these revolvers were not shipped in order, so exact date is only available by requesting a factory letter.

Your 32 Safety was refinished - look at the hinge on the frame and you will see the sharp edges are buffed off. The hinge is an easy place to look for refinishes on top breaks, since, when new, there were very sharp edges around the metal frame hinge.

Great little gun, nice box, and ammo. 32 S&W is still available and I am sure the gun would function fine with current manufactured ammo.

Stocks often come up for sale on ebay, Gunbroker, etc. and reproduction grips can be purchased from Vintage Gun Grips. If you find a left stock that matches the right one, I would keep it on, since it has the serial number. I would also keep the old stock somewhere to sell with the gun if you ever let it go.

 

[opoefc]

Don Furr, in Costa Mesa, CA., phone (714) 754-6742, specializes in repairing broken hard rubber S&W grips. He does marvelous work and can repair your grips like new, if you wish. Call him evenings & weekends. Repo grips come oversized and have to be fitted and usually do not have the screw escutchsons installed. Good Luck, Ed.

 

[kunkled]

Thanks for the replies and information as this if very helpful. I own firearms but I am not a collector (unlike my tube radio addiction). I was suprised to see the refinish comment but that may explain why it looks so good on the finish. It must have been done long ago as my father-in-law owned it for decades before we got it. I have attached another picture showing the hinge area a little better.

On the grips, I see grips listed as New Departure. Are these the same or right ones for this gun?

thanks
Dave

 

[mmaher94087]

Safety Hammerless = New Departure = Lemon Squeezer. I vote original finish. Very nice revolver.
Edit: I second opoefc; call Don Furr.
Mike #283

 

[kunkled]

Thanks - I will definitely contact Don. On the finish opinion, I would guess this is like any other collectible, you need to have an expert see it in person? Any recommendations on finding experts? I am in the Ann Arbor area.
Dave

 

[opoefc]

Your first photos looked to me like there was a possibility of a refinish, but it was a close call. I could see the rounded edges on the hinge and the side plate, but I've also seen that on guns that I knew were never refinished, but had be over polished before the original finish was applied. Now, having said all that, I see in your last photo the scratch marks behind the recoil shield which were caused by unfinished polishing when the gun was refinished. The gun would not have left the factory with those marks, so I'm voting for a refinished gun situation. In the case of a family heirloom gun, this is splitting hairs, as the gun is what it is. It could have no finish and still be priceless. Ed.

 

[kunkled]

Thanks Ed - I was wondering about those scratch marks and they are on both sides so it makes sense now. We were never going to sell the gun or anything so it sounds like grips are in order and take it out for some can plinking!
Dave