Are all 1st Model .32 cal Lemon Squeezers considered antiques?
- Thread starter Drifter721
- Start date
.32 Lemon Squeezer
I wanted to share my info for a .32 I inherited from my great grandfather. Mine is a nickel plated .32 with a serial number of 169690. I'm not as informed as others, but I would assume this is a second model in collectors terms correct?
I wanted to share my info for a .32 I inherited from my great grandfather. Mine is a nickel plated .32 with a serial number of 169690. I'm not as informed as others, but I would assume this is a second model in collectors terms correct?
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Yes, if yours is indeed a Safety Hammerless, it would be a Second Model, which was produced until serial #172000 in 1909.
So your #169690 falls near the end of that range and is most likely from 1909.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
There is no database as such, but you have two options:
1. The free one: Use the search function above to look for old threads in this forum. Make the search terms as specific as you can, and you will find a ton of information about your model.
2. For $75, the S&W historian will research your serial number and send you a history letter telling you when and where it shipped. You find the form in the Notable threads sticky at the top in each subforum.
PS: I just noticed that nobody responded to your initial question above. Sorry. What caliber is your Safety Hammerless? As I said, there is no database, but with type, caliber and serial, educated guesses are possible based on published serial ranges.
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rog8732
US Veteran
Reckon Mr Roy G. Jinks will feel you're being disrespectful by spelling his last name wrong ?
1st model low serial number
Hello. I have been reading the posts and wanted to respond, any help is appreciated. I have a 1st model with serial #69 I inherited. What would the estimated value be and would it be worth it to get the paperwork from S&W? It is a .32 S&W.
Hello. I have been reading the posts and wanted to respond, any help is appreciated. I have a 1st model with serial #69 I inherited. What would the estimated value be and would it be worth it to get the paperwork from S&W? It is a .32 S&W.
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This has been covered so many times in the past, and you do not need a database. There are a series of 1973 BATF letters of acknowledgement that documents the antique status of every S&W made during the late 1890s. There is a serial number cut-off and that is all anyone needs to determine for themselves what is antique and what is modern. This thread will lead you to copies of the letters and Rawles listing of many manufacturers antique serial number cut-off. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/455242-mr-jinks-letter-batf-antiques.html?highlight=rawles
If you lose track of the link, just search the Forum using the word Rawles and several links will come up with information needed to get members to the list. The good news is that you do not even need to know the exact change, model, just the configuration and caliber of the revolver and the serial number should get you the answer.
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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Gary has given you what you need to answer the antique question. As far as obtaining an historian's letter, I would advise against it for 2 reasons.
1. S&W made a lot of these guns. They are not rare and only have added value if they are pristine and come in the original box. A nominal value for a .32 safety hammerless shooter around here is $200 or less.
2. Your gun has been refinished outside the S&W factory. It has 0 collector value.
What is interesting about your gun is the serial number can be read correctly no matter which way the barrel is pointed.
1. S&W made a lot of these guns. They are not rare and only have added value if they are pristine and come in the original box. A nominal value for a .32 safety hammerless shooter around here is $200 or less.
2. Your gun has been refinished outside the S&W factory. It has 0 collector value.
What is interesting about your gun is the serial number can be read correctly no matter which way the barrel is pointed.
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Shipping date yes.
Unfortunately, and to no fault of those issuing S&W letters, S&W did not record manufacture dates and historical letters are based on the shipping date. The BATF uses the date that the serial number was applied to the frame as determining when a gun was born and henceforth its antique or C&R status. With S&W's it is possible that a true antique does not qualify because it wasn't shipped until after the cut off date.
There are some models that folks have worked with the BATF to establish that all frames are antiques since they were in fact manufactured before the cut off date but I don't think it covers all models.
Some states like California IIRC, use a different date than the BATF to determine antique status so you must also check your local state rules as well.
All in all, it never gets easier.
Personally, as we quickly approach the era of phasers and photon torpedoes, I think that any firearm that was designed originally to shoot black powder should be considered an antique. Heck, a car is considered an antique at 25 years.
There are a few models that are considered antiques, but shipped later than 1898, so even more complications. The Model 1896 32 HE, the 44 Single & Double Action revolvers were shipped into the 1900s, but were all classified as antiques by the BATF. Story was that all frames were manufactured and serial numbered before 1899.
So the BATF list is the simple way to determine antique status and one does not have to worry about ship dates or frame dates, just worry about CA and NY regulations.
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My God, print the letter to BATF from Roy and keep it with you. It is rock solid. Best, Mike
Smith and Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless Ammo to Use?
Hi -New here
I have a SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT'D FEBY 20.77. DEC.18.77 MAY 11.80 SEPT.11.83 OCT.2.83 TWO AUG.4.85".
Sn 15065 on handle – matches cylinder and under open latch
Pretty sure it is a series 1 and and antique from research on this forum and have downloaded the letters referenced - S&W DA .32 top break hammerless ("lemon squeezer") revolvers (serial # below 91,400
My questions is what ammo to use. My dad had an old box of .32 S&W and I purchased similar. But now thinking this might require older black powder type ammo? Or can it shoot new .32 S&W?
thanks - great forum and info BTW
Hi -New here
I have a SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT'D FEBY 20.77. DEC.18.77 MAY 11.80 SEPT.11.83 OCT.2.83 TWO AUG.4.85".
Sn 15065 on handle – matches cylinder and under open latch
Pretty sure it is a series 1 and and antique from research on this forum and have downloaded the letters referenced - S&W DA .32 top break hammerless ("lemon squeezer") revolvers (serial # below 91,400
My questions is what ammo to use. My dad had an old box of .32 S&W and I purchased similar. But now thinking this might require older black powder type ammo? Or can it shoot new .32 S&W?
thanks - great forum and info BTW
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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! You can shoot smokeless ammo in it. S&W issued a notice in 1907 stating that they would warranty their guns if commercial smokeless ammo was used. There were a lot of older BP guns when original BP ammo was loaded with smokeless. The ammo manufacturers made sure it wouldn't damage the old guns.
Hi All,
Thought I would share this. I had to dissemble and repair my SW 32 lemon squeezer. Hope it helps others who have asked similar questions.
as always - great forum and posts here. Thanks to all as it helped me!
Disassemble and Repair of a Smit and Wesson .32 cal Hammerless Pistol - YouTube
Thought I would share this. I had to dissemble and repair my SW 32 lemon squeezer. Hope it helps others who have asked similar questions.
as always - great forum and posts here. Thanks to all as it helped me!
Disassemble and Repair of a Smit and Wesson .32 cal Hammerless Pistol - YouTube
Mr. Hopper, Your post must have been overlooked.
I'm no expert by any means, but I would definitely get a letter on that revolver even though it's been refinished. I seriously don't believe there are many model 1's with serial numbers close to yours. BTW even though it's been refinished it is still a very nice-looking model 1. Congratulations on your inheritance.
I'm no expert by any means, but I would definitely get a letter on that revolver even though it's been refinished. I seriously don't believe there are many model 1's with serial numbers close to yours. BTW even though it's been refinished it is still a very nice-looking model 1. Congratulations on your inheritance.
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b.hopper was last here on 1-30-2017.
