Do I need a 4473 for this?

[PeteT]

Greetings, all- new guy checking in.

Have you ever gone into a gun store, not really intending to buy anything.... and gotten too close to the display case and had something jump up, grab you by the eye-balls and refuse to let go until you bought it? I had just such an experience a couple of days ago.

The culprit is a Smith&Wesson 4", five shot top break in .32 S&W, a Fourth Model, as near as I can guess. as it has the pinned front sight. It's blued, with most of the original finish still there- looks like somebody put it in a drawer a century ago and forgot about it. It's very tight, and the only flaw that I can see is the latch is frozen- probably full of century-old fossilized grease.

Anyway, I was wondering if someone could tell me when it was made. The shop owner says that they were produced until 1908, so he suspects that it will probably have to be registered. The serial number is: 98944.

Thanks in advance,

PeteT.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Your revolver is a 4th Model made from 1883 to 1909, with serial number range of 43,400 to 282,999. The gun is certainly an antique, maybe shipped around 1886. 32 DAs under sn 209,301 are considered antiques by BATF.

It probably needs some penetrating oil or soaking for a few days to loosen and dissolve the dried grease and will probably function just fine.

 

[H Richard]

If the latch if frozen then most probably the internal works will be in similar condition. Some Kroil inside would be helpful also. Nice catch. Those little .32's do get to you don't they.

 

[deadin]

A lot will depend on the shop owner. A number of years ago I had to fill out a 4473 for a 1st Model American at the insistence of the shop owner. However at a selling price of $450 I didn't argue the point....

 

[PeteT]

Greetings, and thanks for the info.

Actually, the DA and SA functions perfectly. Everything locks up tight, trigger pull is crisp... no longitudinal play in the cylinder or side to side movement in the hinge whatsoever. Like it's never been fired. I'm hoping it's just some solidified grease in the latch.

I should be taking delivery early next week- I'm waiting for another gun to show up so that I can pick them both up together (and avoid an extra $25 background check fee). When I get it home, I'll try to post some photos.

I'm hoping my wife likes it enough to let me have my Colt detective back!

PeteT.