.32 Safety Hammerless w/2" barrel

[EddieCoyle]

I got this yesterday:

It's a Safety Hammerless in .32 S&W with a 2" barrel

The serial number is 146XXX.

Can anyone give me an idea of when it was made and a possible value? I couldn't find anything like it on Gunbroker.

TIA.

 

[glowe]

That one is a true Bicycle Gun. So many OPs post these, but many turn out to be a cut-barreled gun. That serial number puts the ship date around 1906, so it is a "modern" firearm as defined by the BATF.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Thanks Gary!

 

[gmborkovic]

What a little cutie. I have been picking these up for 40 years. Looks
right as rain with that address on the left side. A little pocket worn which is normal. Value? $200-$300. They are not rare, just scarce.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!

 

[murphydog]

I agree with my distinguished Forum colleagues but think it might be worth closer to $400 being an original (but worn) 2" gun. Mike has seen more of these than I so he may be right too .

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Alan, $400 if you really have to have it. It appears that it is not a re-fin. The right grip looks nice. Most are chipped. Do the grips serial number to the gun? Small point, but fun to have. You know $400 is a lot of money.
Best

 

[H Richard]

A "Well Loved" bicycle gun. All original. Considering how many you may see available for purchase, I would consider Very scarce. I have one #155xxx and it does date to June 1907.

I am going ti guess the stocks might not be original, as the sharpness of the checkering is far better than the finish of the revolver, and the fit by the toe seem to be a little shy. Quite possibly the originals succumbed as many always do with use.

 

[opoefc]

Examples like these can sometimes have a higher value than the estimates above if they letter as special orders, so you never know until you get a factory letter. The first .32 Safety shipped by S&W, with a two inch original barrel, is a blue gun with serial number 53252, shipped June 14, 1893, as a special order, to Dale & Gale Schoverling, NYC. The barrel stamping is on the top of the barrel and runs back over the top strap, as the die for the stamping on the side of the barrel had not yet been made. Ed.