Curious about this .32 Safety Hammerless 1st model

[Lady Smith]

Hi there,

I found a .32 safety hammerless 1st model but some details make me curious about it.

As you can see there is the S&W trademark on the right side of the frame. Basically it was stamped only on the models 2 and 3, the seller told me Flayderman says in his book that the trademark was stamped on 1st model but I can't find nothing about that in the standard catalog of S&W nor a pic on internet of a 1st model with the trademark on it.

I also noticed that the right hand grip doesn't fit very well the frame and the grips screw isn't original.
By the way, the serial number 78xxx on the butt frame matches a 1st model and doesn't seem to have been re stamped over an other one.

Then, I think the gun was refinished, as the trigger guard seems to be nickel plated instead of to have a blue finish.
Also, the patent marking seems to be a little erased on the top due to the refinish I guess.

I'm wondering if there is any possibility the gun was refinished at some point by S&W and they applied the trademark at this moment ? Supposed the trademark was never stamped on 1st model.
There is no star next to the s/n on the butt frame but I don't know when they started to stamp it though.

I noticed a S stamped on the left side of the frame just below the cylinder. I don't know what it could mean.
The seller says there are the initials of the first owner on the sideplate. I don't think it could be a special order though.

Thanks for your help

Edit : all serial numbers on the butt frame, cylinder and barrel match.

 

[cmansguns]

It looks to me that your specimen might be a "mix-master" with the logo, finish questions, and grip fit.

Photos below are my 1st model, s/n 5195, and you can see no logos, grip fit is tight, finish was nickel.

Since ammo (32 short) is not easily available (and I don't reload) I have not shot this gun at all, and don't really intend to. I have a value on mine of less than $100 USD. If I saw your gun in the USA I for one would probably pass it up as again...it may be just parts from several models cobbled together.

 

[glowe]

You need to remove the stocks and look for a set of stampings on the left side of the butt-frame to see if it was returned to the factory, but stamped S&W logos started with the Model 1896, and since the first model 32 Safety ran from 1888 to 1902, there were logos stamped on the frame of late serial numbered guns. I have a 32 Safety just over 100,000 with the small logo on the right side.

It would hand been difficult to place the logo on the sideplate, since the process involves a roll stamp that produced high pressure. I may have been thought that the process would have bent the sideplate, so they used it on the right side instead. No parts would have been swapped because the 1st Model frames were the same for the entire serial number range.

 

[Lady Smith]

Thanks.
Serial number starts by 78xxx and the last 1st model had the s/n 91xxx so I guess it's a late production.

Here in France the value of the safety hammerless increase.
Last year we could find some for 662$....now they worth almost 1000$...

 

[Books]

It's probably re-plated. The trigger guard should be blued.

Books

 

[Lady Smith]

No one knows about the S on the left side of the frame ?

 

[BMur]

Early die stamp

The S' die stamp is the older style and likely period stamped when the gun was re-finished. That's about all I can tell you. Letters and numbers on the frame are anybody's guess. I suggest you look under the grips for more stamps as suggested by another member. Also, back of cylinder and close look on the barrel. It could be a refinishing stamp.

Murph

 

[Lady Smith]

Thanks.
Unfortunately the gun is not mine.
I wanted to grab some info before to buy...or not to buy.
I'm waiting for the auction tomorrow, there is a .32 DA bicycle but the auctioneers didn't reply to my question, hopefully the price will be low as I don't even know if it works correctly.