Help Needed With 32 Top Break

[2nd]

A friend has this gun and wants to give it to me. I want to pay him something for it. What is its model, age, approximate value, etc? Other than being a little dusty, it appears to be in good condition. Serial number 2157XX.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum John. When you say it is in pretty good condition, that is a huge understatement. This Safety Hammerless 3rd Model appears unfired and mint. The value for one in this condition will be over $1000. Hard to say how much over, since these show up for sale very seldom.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[2nd]

Thanks. We just completed the transfer. My next step will be to get a letter from S&W.

The guy at the shop never saw one so I guess they're not sold too often.

 

[H Richard]

Considering this gun is between 90-100 years old, a lot of gun store employees have never seen one. Most "clerks" wouldn't be able to identify it to even look it up in the book. I would hope shop owners or managers would be able to identify it.

 

[glowe]

Maybe a clarification is needed for my earlier statement. The 3rd Model Safety is very common, since over 170,000 of this model manufactured, but I meant that you hardly ever see one in this condition. The seller may not see many at his shop, but they are all over the online auction sites.

Glad you worked out a deal, since this is one that should be put away without opening or rotating the cylinder. The only improvement you could make is to find an original box for it.

 

[H Richard]

Be sure to store it in proper condition so no rust can get to it. Wipe down with an oiled rag using a Good gun oil. Do this at least once every 6 months and keep stored in climate controlled conditions (air cond. & heated temp range 65 80 humidity below 55%)

 

[2nd]

Thanks everyone. He also gave me this holster. Any ideas where I could get a correct style box for the gun?

 

[H Richard]

That is a Heiser holster, and has fair collectors value by itself!