Hello, I managed to acquire another old S&W revolver today...I don't have many old guns, but it's fun to pick one up once in a while. This one looks to have been manufactured around 1896 (serial number 29832). Dang, that's 111 years old!
My cousin brought it with him when he came to visit. It looks to be a pretty early model...based on my copy of "The History of Smith & Wesson 1857-1945"...I'm calling it a: 32 Safety First Model/First Model 32 Safety Hammerless, New Departure.
It's certainly the very nicest old break-open revolver I have ever come across.
I traded even up for a good condition Model 15-5 with a heavy barrel.
I don't know what this old "Lemon Squeezer" is worth, but today, when I was faced with an opportunity to keep this old gun...I figured I'd let the Model 15 walk...I had another nicer 15 sitting in the safe. This 32 is tight as a drum with a 3 1/2" barrel...I'm thinking I might buy some dies and reload some 32 S&W and shoot the darn thing. It's been shot a few times...my cousin shot it 5 times when he first got it but it does not look to have spent much time being shot...the bore is very good and the finish is clean.
Any comments on whether I should shoot it? I don't "have" to take it to the range...but if it would not hurt it's basic value, I think it might be fun to shoot. It's not often you get a chance to shoot a 111 year old gun!
Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
Bob
My cousin brought it with him when he came to visit. It looks to be a pretty early model...based on my copy of "The History of Smith & Wesson 1857-1945"...I'm calling it a: 32 Safety First Model/First Model 32 Safety Hammerless, New Departure.
It's certainly the very nicest old break-open revolver I have ever come across.
I traded even up for a good condition Model 15-5 with a heavy barrel.
I don't know what this old "Lemon Squeezer" is worth, but today, when I was faced with an opportunity to keep this old gun...I figured I'd let the Model 15 walk...I had another nicer 15 sitting in the safe. This 32 is tight as a drum with a 3 1/2" barrel...I'm thinking I might buy some dies and reload some 32 S&W and shoot the darn thing. It's been shot a few times...my cousin shot it 5 times when he first got it but it does not look to have spent much time being shot...the bore is very good and the finish is clean.
Any comments on whether I should shoot it? I don't "have" to take it to the range...but if it would not hurt it's basic value, I think it might be fun to shoot. It's not often you get a chance to shoot a 111 year old gun!
Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
Bob
