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Going to look at this Hammerless 5th model
- Thread starter merl67
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texmex
Member
At first glance, almost every Safety Hammerless with a barrel this short has been cut. Closer examination of the photos looks like it may be original. If it is, that is very nice. You can get reproduction grips for it. It seems like most of the ones with original grips have a chunk missing from the bottom of the grips. Over the years, someone had to get too zealous prying the grips off or pounding them back on. I guess that is why they switched from Bakelite to wood later on.
Hello Merl,I take it you have not seen the gun in person?
First, any address or cal. stamp on sides of barrel?
Second, does the barrel match the frame?
Start there. Best
First, any address or cal. stamp on sides of barrel?
Second, does the barrel match the frame?
Start there. Best
If there are or are not partial stampings on the barrel rib, plus none on the right side of the barrel, it is not likely to be original. There are a few guns out there that seem to be original without the stamping, but only a factory letter will tell you for sure. The 5th Model 32 Bicycle Gun was offered in a 2" barrel, but law of averages are if you are paying a big premium, chances are that it is not original.
When you see the gun, pay extra attention to the top rib, refinish, and the slot where the front sight is attached. I cannot see a pin through the rib and am certain that the factory would not have soldered or driven the front sight into the slot. Standard 5th Models have an integrally forged sight with the barrel, but Bicycle guns were pinned. Good luck.
When you see the gun, pay extra attention to the top rib, refinish, and the slot where the front sight is attached. I cannot see a pin through the rib and am certain that the factory would not have soldered or driven the front sight into the slot. Standard 5th Models have an integrally forged sight with the barrel, but Bicycle guns were pinned. Good luck.
Interesting that these cut barreled 32 Safeties typically sell for more than that. I guess there is a snub-nose appeal out there, cut or not.
Skeetr57
Member
The gun pictured looks to me like a .38 rather than a .32. I would try to dicker at that price for a pocket carry gun if the mechanics were good.
Hello merl, what a kick in the bottom. I was hoping for you. I have several 2" SHs. If they have the correct barrel stamps on the side, I buy it.
I have looked at a lot of them. Some real hack jobs, some really nicely done. Just keep looking. They are not rare, just few and far between. Best
I have looked at a lot of them. Some real hack jobs, some really nicely done. Just keep looking. They are not rare, just few and far between. Best
IMHO, $200 doesn't buy much of a gun these days. I see air soft guns selling for that or more. Heck, I have a buddy that wants to buy a $1,000 pellet rifle. If the thing shoots real boolits then it's probably worth $200. If in fact it IS a .38, as Skeetr57 said, then to me a .38 pocket pistol shooter is worth $200 all day long.
Hello Mr. Redfield, $200 dont buy much even for a fun back yard shooter.
If you want to hear a bang and see smoke, buy it now. Just do not depend on it for a carry gun. Get a 42 or 38 for a hip pocket carry. Best to you.
If you want to hear a bang and see smoke, buy it now. Just do not depend on it for a carry gun. Get a 42 or 38 for a hip pocket carry. Best to you.
sw44russ
Member
Well, we all saw what that Perfected went for not so long ago!!
If I wanted one (and I do!!) I might have to get the snakes out of my pockets and fork over the Bucks; whether we like to admit it or not; if these cut ones are well done, they are a saleable item and unless you have the readies put aside and are prepared to wait; the real ones are not such an easy proposition.
Probably the smartest way to go is to pick up a cheap 3 1/4'' Shooter and take it to a good Gunsmith to be Docked and Reblued or Nickeled. That is, if like me, you have a pal who is an expert Gunsmith who is happy to work for a few quarts of 'Shine. If that's not the case the $200 could be in fact, cheap!
If I wanted one (and I do!!) I might have to get the snakes out of my pockets and fork over the Bucks; whether we like to admit it or not; if these cut ones are well done, they are a saleable item and unless you have the readies put aside and are prepared to wait; the real ones are not such an easy proposition.
Probably the smartest way to go is to pick up a cheap 3 1/4'' Shooter and take it to a good Gunsmith to be Docked and Reblued or Nickeled. That is, if like me, you have a pal who is an expert Gunsmith who is happy to work for a few quarts of 'Shine. If that's not the case the $200 could be in fact, cheap!
Hello russ, a cut gun is just that, cut. I dont know where you live, but down here in western VA, a Mason of shine is running about $20. Nice primo stuff. Good mash and a no lead pot. All copper or SS. If he is cracking that ring after he is done, that is OK. Best
sw44russ
Member
Sounds about right Mike! I'm in a Land Down Under and good Pistolas South of the Border are a little harder to come by. I realise Cut is cut but what I'm sayin is people (even in the US) like 'em even cut for a fun shooter. If it were a pre '99 and I had spare $$ right now I'd be asking OP for the guys contact.
My Shine I call 'Poteen' (Irish Recipe - both me and the product!) it is 2nd to none; all SS and Copper, I got one of those Modern Reflux Contraptions; comes out 97% pure and it goes into French Oak. My Gunsmith pal cant get enough!!
If the Gun is good; $200 is not too much is it?
If it was a std 3 1/4'' in good order.....plus somebody did some work on it.....just sayin' - as the young folk say....
My Shine I call 'Poteen' (Irish Recipe - both me and the product!) it is 2nd to none; all SS and Copper, I got one of those Modern Reflux Contraptions; comes out 97% pure and it goes into French Oak. My Gunsmith pal cant get enough!!
If the Gun is good; $200 is not too much is it?
If it was a std 3 1/4'' in good order.....plus somebody did some work on it.....just sayin' - as the young folk say....
Hello russ, I got it now, way down under. Lovely country. Served some time there. Had many Fosters and Swans. Best
leeallen
Member
I received both of these from my father in law in a batch of handguns I got from him years ago. Nice little guns but I haven't ever paid much attention to them.
Are these what are being discussed here.
The .32 has original grips. The .38 obviously has the pearl. both have matching serial numbers on the butt and on the cylinder. He owned these a long time before I got them from him. If the .38 has been cut, it was done a very long time ago as he indicated he got the gun in the 60's & he didn't cut it.
On a side note my father in law passed away at 95 years old recently. He owned several handguns that were bought new and remained unfired in the box. I have many of those, as do other family members.
Not interested in selling but curious about age & value... Thanks
Are these what are being discussed here.
The .32 has original grips. The .38 obviously has the pearl. both have matching serial numbers on the butt and on the cylinder. He owned these a long time before I got them from him. If the .38 has been cut, it was done a very long time ago as he indicated he got the gun in the 60's & he didn't cut it.
On a side note my father in law passed away at 95 years old recently. He owned several handguns that were bought new and remained unfired in the box. I have many of those, as do other family members.
Not interested in selling but curious about age & value... Thanks
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Tom, you are absolutely right. Now that I look at the pictures again, the cylinder extends to the front of the trigger guard, while the front edge of the 32 cylinder stops at the center of the front leg of the trigger guard.
leeallen - I have always liked the S&W Safety revolvers. Problem is that there were a ton of them made and many collectors have not warmed up to adding many to their gun safes. Values for pristine Safeties seldom go above $350 - $400. Your 38 Safety has been re-nickeled and those pearls would not have come from the factory when this gun shipped around 1909-1910. The 32 Safety looks totally original and has a more desirable blued finish. I would guess a value of $200 - $250 for the 38 and $275 - $300 for the 32. The value as a family heirloom, however, is often priceless.
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leeallen
Member
Thanks, i'm hanging onto them regardless of value
