Identity and worth

[generic]

I'm trying to find out more about this. It's a S&W Patent Apr 4 55, Jul 5 59, Nov 21 65.

It has a top break.

Serial number on the butt of the gun is 322XX

If that's not enough information, I'll try to get some more info and post it. Thanks.

 

[opoefc]

Welcome to the Forum. You have a Model 1 & 1/2 New Model .32 Long Rim Fire. AKA Model 1 & 1/2 2nd issue. Made circe 1868-69. It appears to be in very good condition and if mechanically OK,and not a refinished gun, it's worth around $300. The market in these older S&Ws has dropped dramatically in the last year or so. Ed.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Actually, it is a bottom-break, but the term most often used for this type of revolver is Tip-Up. You have a Model 1 1/2, Second Issue, 32 rimfire that most likely shipped in 1869 (I think Ed's date is a slip-up with the keyboard). One cannot be certain about the originality of the finish with only one image, but is is possible that you might have an original finish Model 1 1/2. Standard barrel length was 3 1/2", but the company also offered this model in a 2 1/2" length.

There were over 127,000 Model 11 1/2s made and remarkably, many survived in good mechanical condition. If upon close inspection, your revolver turns out to be original, it is worth a fair amount of money. I would offer a different opinion on the value than Ed, based on auction pricing and Supica's SCSW4. If it grades as Excellent, you have a $700 gun, but there are not many collectors who specialize in this era S&W anymore and the next one that goes up for auction could sell for Ed's price, due to a volatile market. One problem is that these are not gaining value today and may be slipping some in the market. Another issue is that there is absolutely no ammunition manufactured for this gun today and it is about impossible to find any reliable old ammunition out there to use from any source.

 

[generic]

Thanks to all (and for the welcome).

Very fast replies, indeed.

I appreciate the information.

 

[JSR III]

I appears to me to be Model 1 2nd issue.

Welcome to the forum. You unfortunately have received conflicting information regarding your gun. I would agree with Ed and Gary that it is a New Model 1 1/2 aka Model 1 1/2 second issue that fires a .32 rim fire round. If it were as Paul suggested, a model 1 second issue, it would be a .22 caliber with a non fluted cylinder and have a square butt.

Price for a 1 1/2 new model would be around $300 in today's market as these older guns just don't appeal to the younger crowd looking for black plastic tacticool guns. Ammo is harder to find and many times, if original, worth as much as the gun.

 

[merl67]

I can't add anything except WOW what a beauty. I would have some splainin to to to my wife if that showed up at any of my sources at price I could afford. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forum.

 

[H Richard]

I would really like to go along with Gary's valuation, but unfortunately I have to go along with James. (I have a few of these).

I have reviewed several auctions in the past year, and the selling prices seem to be slipping lower .

 

[generic]

Thanks for all the follow-up. I've adjusted the selling price accordingly.

Where would find ammo for it? Are there places that specialize in old ammo?

 

[wormey]

The only shootable ammo out there is some imported by Navy Arms 20 or more years ago. You can occasionally find some, but it generally goes for $150 or so a box. Original ammo goes for ly much more and generally will not shoot even if so inclined. If you handload, shootable cases are available from Dixiegun Works and others utilizing 22blanks for primers. They work just fine. A little pricey, but not really in that they are machined from bar stock.