I'm looking at this .32 hammerless safety 2in. barrel. My problem is there is no markings on it other than serial no. and the grips are wood with no markings. The seller is calling it a first model, Smith and Wesson .32 safety hammerless. does it look legit?
Bicycle gun?
- Thread starter 1stfxst
- Start date
Sorry to say, but it doesn't look correct to me. Note the position of the pin on the front sight, it is off center and S&W would never do that. Can you post a picture of the top strap? The bicycle guns in the first model were special order, and the barrel address extended back over the cylinder area. I'm guessing it was a cut down 3 1/2" model. The stocks are not original, they would have been black hard rubber with S&W monogram.
The serial number would help with an estimated ship date, but as HRichard noted a factory 1.5 or 2" Safety Hammerless would have factory information (patent dates and the like) either on the top rib or side of the barrel. Cutting back a longer barrel is a fairly commonly seen modification, and this is almost certainly one of those.
Totally agree that the barrel was cut, plus it has either been re-blued or cold-blued. The wood stocks are not original and someone must have made them by hand. I would keep looking for a factory 2" unless the seller is selling it for under $200.
Dick - what I have not seen is a 2" with the top rib stamped with the 2 line address/patent dates? Stampings on the side of the barrel is what I am familiar with, but how does the factory deal with the uneven rib, where the rib changes elevation over the cylinder? Do you have pictures of any examples?
Gary,I don't have any pictures of a 1st model, just relying on the SCSW3, but I would imagine it would have been done like how they did the Mod. 1 1/2 (CF) where the inscription extended back over the cylinder. It followed the curve of the topstrap. I could get one of my 1 1/2's out of the shadowbox and photograph it if you want to see.
Maybe someone has a SH #1 bicycle that they could photograph and show? My only bicycle is a 2nd model and the inscription is on the side of the barrel (2 lines in really little print).
Maybe someone has a SH #1 bicycle that they could photograph and show? My only bicycle is a 2nd model and the inscription is on the side of the barrel (2 lines in really little print).
mmaher94087
Member
I do not have a picture. First Model .32 Safety Hammerless' had a one line address on the left side of the barrel.
In order to get the address ad patent dates on the rib of a 2" gun, they would have to stamp up the curve to the higher area above the cylinder. The 32 SA spur trigger has a different address/patent date layout, where the address is on the barrel, while the patent dates is seperate on the flat section above the cylinder.
Photo shows a 32 SA, a 2nd Model 32 Safety, and a Third Model Safety with the single line address. If anyone has a 2" Safety with top rib stampings, could you please post a picture? That would give me another configuration to collect.
Photo shows a 32 SA, a 2nd Model 32 Safety, and a Third Model Safety with the single line address. If anyone has a 2" Safety with top rib stampings, could you please post a picture? That would give me another configuration to collect.
Attachments
mmaher94087
Member
Glowe,
I do not think any exist with factory markings on the top rib of a two inch barrel. The factory 2" barrel stampings (roll marks) were on the side(s) of the barrels. With S&W; never say never.. but 50+ years of collecting has never shown me anything different.
I do not think any exist with factory markings on the top rib of a two inch barrel. The factory 2" barrel stampings (roll marks) were on the side(s) of the barrels. With S&W; never say never.. but 50+ years of collecting has never shown me anything different.
Mike, according to the SCSW3 the 1st models bicycle guns were all special orders, and the inscription was put on the barrel top but had to extend back over the top strap of the cylinder to fit. The 2nd and 3rd model bicycle guns had no inscription on the top rib. If a barrel had been cut, there would normally be an incomplete inscription from a 3" or 3 1/2" model. I was wondering if anyone had an actual original "Special Order" 1st model that would show the inscription back over the top strap.
twaits
Member
That is something I would like to see as well. I didn't know this. Thanks for the information.
mmaher94087
Member
My understanding is that the EARLY 2" were special order but not "all". SN 53252 may be the first one and has the roll marks on the top rib. It's possible there are others but I have never seen one. The 2" barrel was offered/cataloged towards the end of the First Model production. SN 87919 has the single line roll mark on the left side of the barrel. Maybe opoefc will post a picture of his early one?
Aussie Collector
Member
This one certainly has the first model push down barrel release.
Apart from the front sight blade pin off centre and the stocks, as already pointed out, the rest looks genuine.
The location of the pin has thrown me, if the barrel was a 3" or 3 ½” the original sight pin hole would have been cut off to make it 2”. So why offset the hole?
I have a 2nd 2” and it has the S&W logo on the right side was the first model the same? There is a blotchy patch in the photo just past where its on the other models.
Apart from the front sight blade pin off centre and the stocks, as already pointed out, the rest looks genuine.
The location of the pin has thrown me, if the barrel was a 3" or 3 ½” the original sight pin hole would have been cut off to make it 2”. So why offset the hole?
I have a 2nd 2” and it has the S&W logo on the right side was the first model the same? There is a blotchy patch in the photo just past where its on the other models.
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Two second models, the above lettered Bicycle and 3 1/2".
My 1st Model has the address on the side
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/340675-32-safety-hammerless-snubbie.html
I saw one on GB recently that had no address on it at all and the barrel rib lookded like someone cut a slot with a woodruff cutter to place the front sight and the slot extended about 1/8" beyond the sight towards the rear of the barrel.. The gun "looked" like it was new....I questioned the seller and got a not so nice reply that the gun was original.....someone paid 8 or 9 hundred for that one...no way it was original ...I'm with the rest of the guys here, unless it's dirt cheap, it's not worth it.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/340675-32-safety-hammerless-snubbie.html
I saw one on GB recently that had no address on it at all and the barrel rib lookded like someone cut a slot with a woodruff cutter to place the front sight and the slot extended about 1/8" beyond the sight towards the rear of the barrel.. The gun "looked" like it was new....I questioned the seller and got a not so nice reply that the gun was original.....someone paid 8 or 9 hundred for that one...no way it was original ...I'm with the rest of the guys here, unless it's dirt cheap, it's not worth it.
mmaher94087
Member
raljr1,
Interesting to note that your 2" (879xx) has a two line address where 87919 has a single line address.
Interesting to note that your 2" (879xx) has a two line address where 87919 has a single line address.
Mitch_D
Member
Nice photos, Steve.
You really know how to use the light.
Great detail.
You really know how to use the light.
Great detail.
Tim E
Member
I have a .38 gun with 2 inch barrel. Is this a bicycle gun?
Tim
Re post this in a new thread. It will get more attention than a tag a long. Plus we need pictures and the serial number.
Don Mundell
Assistant Historian
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
