Date a .32 hammerless

[Gunner4640]

If anyone can date this revolver? it is a .32 5 shot hammerless serial Number 78465 on bottom of the frame.
Thanks

 

[DWalt]

If that number is on the butt, you have a .32 Safety Hammerless first model. Those were made from 1888 to 1902 in a serial number range of 1 to 91417. So yours is probably from 1899-1900. Maybe someone knows what the "official" BATFE cut-off serial number is for this gun for it to be an antique, which would establish if it was made prior to 1899 or not. Yours will be close.

 

[Gunner4640]

If that number is on the butt, you have a .32 Safety Hammerless first model. Those were made from 1888 to 1902 in a serial number range of 1 to 91417. So yours is probably from 1899-1900. Maybe someone knows what the "official" BATFE cut-off serial number is for this gun for it to be an antique, which would establish if it was made prior to 1899 or not. Yours will be close.

Thank you for the information ..

 

[glowe]

S&W DA .32 top break hammerless revolvers with serial # below 91,400 are considered antiques by the BATF. That would mean your S&W would have been manufactured before 1899. As for shipping dates, one example with serial number 69XXX shipped in 1896 and another with 86XXX shipped in 1898. Hope that helps.

 

[DWalt]

If you are unaware, guns with antique status are more desirable than those made post-1898 due to the lack of federal regulation.