Identification Help Please

[mswill]

This little guy belongs to a friend. Neither of us know what it is...so I volunteered to post it here in hopes of gaining some basic information. After a couple of hours looking through sticky's and photo postings, my best guess is a .32 safety hammerless? I realize the following description and a few photos are not much to go on, but any info related to DOB, model, caliber, condition, originality, value range or any other info would be most appreciated. It is a family gun, so any info might simulate future custodians toward further research.

Serial # is 88785, located on butt and under top strap above cylinder. Cylinder has a different # on ejector side which appears to be Y4553 (not sure of the "Y"). Barrel is 2-1/4", overall cylinder length is 7/8". I can find no model or caliber marking anywhere. Since trade mark and address stampings are so very clear, I "suspect" the finish is original. The pearl grips are fitted nicely, but the medallions “seem” somewhat deep set. They were not removed to look for additional markings. I can offer little on mechanics, I did not cycle it...since it’s not my gun. I can add that the firing pin “free floats” fore and aft, so care must be used in opening and closing the action. Thanks in advance to those of you that spend some time here.

 

[Jim Watson]

You show a .32 Safety Hammerless first model as made 1888-1902.
Maybe somebody can pin it down closer than that.

It has been refinished, S&W does not nickel plate the trigger and did not plate the trigger guard in models where it was a separate piece.
2 1/4 inches is not a listed barrel length, it may have been sawn off.

On the other hand, the deep-set grip medalions are proper.

 

[glowe]

I agree with the refinish comments. That .32 was shipped in 1900-1901, so does not qualify as an antique.

Check your barrel measurement. Measure from the face of the cylinder to the end of the barrel. 3" was the shortest barrel available on this model. Since the barrel stamping seems centered, maybe it is a 3"?

 

[DCWilson]

According to Neai & Jinks, the .32 Safety First Model was available with a two-inch barrel in addition to other lengths. This barrel is just a little over twice the length of the cylinder, so I'm sure that is what you have on this gun.

 

[glowe]

David - you are absolutely correct. I mistakenly looked at the .32 DA description.

Just too many models! out there.

 

[cflier]

Hello MSW,
Welcome to the forum. The gun is as others have told you a first model 32 Safety Hammerless. It has definetly been refinished at some time in the past. I'm pretty sure that it is a factory 2 inch barrel because the patent information is on the side of the barrel instead of on the top strap. The first number on the cylinder is a 7. That is the 7 used by the factory on cylinders about the turn of the century. That means that the cylinder is not the one originally shipped with the gun. That is only imporatant if you are a purist collector. It does reduce the value of the old lemon squeezer considerably. It was probably shipped in the first half of 1900.
Mark

 

[Dosgatos]

That free-floating firing pin indicates that the FP spring is broken. It is actually an easy fix: drift out the pin below the latch and with the action open dry-fire the gun a few times. The bushing which contains the firing pin and spring will be driven out from the recoil shield, and can usually be easily removed with a pair of pliers. You can make a new FP spring from any suitable small spring you will find at a hardware store. Clean and lube the pin and bushing, replace everything in reverse order, replace the pin, and you're back in business. Worst case scenario is that the actual firing pin is broken, in which case you can order one from Jack First (Google). The one I bought from them was a little longer at both ends, and I suspect it was for a .38 Safety, but with a little modifying with a bench grinder and file it works fine in a .32.

 

[mswill]

I have confirmed barrel length with owner at 2-1/4" (muzzle to cylinder), so combined with address and patents centered on left side, we seem agreed the barrel is original. I'm a little confused about the "7" on the ejector side of the cylinder. A "7" here for a 1900 shipped gun would seem to confirm originality and not indicate a later replacement. Perhaps I am misreading cflier's post?

I will make sure the owner is aware of all information posted here and I would like to personally thank each of you for sharing your time and knowledge.

 

[glowe]

Most top break S&Ws had serial numbers stamped in 3 main areas, the butt, the back of the cylinder, and the top strap of the barrel. If these numbers do not match, some of the parts have been replaced. Your cylinder has probably been replaced with another used cylinder at one point in time.

 

[mswill]

OK, I have it now Thank you very much.