Lemon Squeezer ID

[akc47]

I inherited two Lemon Squeezers from my father and was wondering if anyone could tell me the model (edition) and approximate date of manufacture?

1. 38 S&W caliber Ser. # 138xxx
2. 32 S&W caliber Ser. # 187xxx

Both of these have black grips and my mother told me my dad always wanted to find MOP grips to put on them. Although they belong to me now, she wants me to find MOP grips for them to complete his quest. Is there a trick to finding MOP grips for theses guns? Will any MOP grip that is on another Lemon Squeezer fit these guns? That is why I am asking about the model / edition. I thought this might be required to find the right grips.

Is there a "national" gunsmith that specializes in this type of gun that can check them out to see if they are safe to fire?

One last thing, anyone know where i can find ammo for these things?

Thanks and any help is appreciated,
AKC47

 

[opoefc]

AKC47, Welcome to the Forum. Can you post some pictures? Going by the serial numbers, the .32 is 3rd model .32 safety hammerless probably made circa 1911, the .38 is a .38 safety hammerless 4th model. Probably made circa 1900. Original MOP grips can be found. Post a Wanted ad on the Forum classifieds. MOP grips were individually fitted to each revolver, whether by S&W or by the distributors, so it isn't always an easy fit to put old grips on old guns that are not the original fitted grips. Sometimes you get lucky and the fit is close enought to look OK.
Any good gunsmith can check the guns for mechanical fuctioning and safety, however they are blackpowder guns not designed to fire smokeless ammo. If you need to fire them, after they have been declared safe, use Cowboy ammo. which is loaded to low pressures. The ammo is the standard .32S&W and .38S&W. Not found in every store, but larger gun stores should be able to order it for you if they don't have any in stock.

 

[akc47]

Is there a place on the forum that tells you how to post pictures? I'll need some help with that but will be glad to post some if I can figure out how.

If something is wrong with either of the revolvers can they be sent back to S&W for repair or will they not work on revolvers that old?

Thanks,
akc47

 

[H Richard]

Here are instructions for posting pictures. Unfortunately, S&W will not work on their guns this old.

From bdGreen

I use Photobucket at 'photobucket.com'

It's free...

1. REGISTER

2. LOGIN

3. Have your image stored on your hard drive.

4. You will see a square empty box about midway down on your screen with a blue box with white lettering that says:

"CHOOSE FILES"

5. Double tap "CHOOSE FILES"

6. Browse to the directory on your hard drive where the image is stored.

6. Double click the image file name.

7. The file will automatically download and will now be stored on your Photobucket page. It will remain stored there until you delete it.

8. For posting to a forum go to the image of your choice. Below that image find the blue 'IMG code' line. (Pale yellow background box with fine black lettering.)

11. Place your cursor on the text 'IMG code' and tap the left mouse button one time which will turn the box background blue.

12. While it is now white lettering with a blue background press the right mouse button and select 'COPY'.

13. Open up a new post on the Forum or respond to an existing one.

14. Place your cursor in the dialogue box.

15. Press the right mouse button and select 'PASTE'.

16. The whole image title should be in the dialogue box with the brackets and

at the end of the string.

17. If you "Post Now", your post will have just your image. Now is the time to add your text. Just don't disrupt the format of the pasted image.

18. If your image is much too large you can go back to Photobucket and use their "EDIT" button to resize your image. Or, you can go back to your own photo editor for a resize and resubmit the image.

I find that if you size your images to 800 pixels wide you will get maximum page size without being too large. That is providing your picture was taken at a nominal size to begin with. If your picture started out smaller than that then leave it so it won't be distorted by a resize.

One word of caution. Once you have posted your pictures and submitted them to the post if you go back into Photobucket and delete the image all of your posts will lose that image.

Good Luck

bdGreen
This message has been edited. Last edited by: bdGreen, 16 May 2008 09:40 AM

 

[PALADIN85020]

There were a lot of aftermarket mother of pearl stocks made for these guns. Smith & Wesson made a big deal of it in those days, mentioning that only original manufacturer MOP stocks carried the S&W round emblem. If you do find a set, they should have the S&W emblem to be "correct."

John

 

[opoefc]

Only the .32 could have MOP grips with the emblem. The .38 is too early. MOPs with the S&W logo inserts were not available before 1909. Ed.

 

[cflier]

Hello Ed,

I feel a little strange contradicting you on when the medallion inserts were first inserted into the ivory and pearl grips, but several people including Roy have mentioned that they were first used in the mid 1890s to the late 1890s depending on the model and what the factory had available at the time. Now mind you I wasn't there at that time but I have been made to understand that by 1900 all of the S&W factory pearl and ivory grips had the emblem installed.

Mark

 

[akc47]

Pictures added to original post at the top.
32 cal on top in each photo
38 cal on bottom in each photo

The 38 seems to have an issue. When you pull the trigger the cylinder turns as it should but if you then touch the cylinder with your fingers it turns freely with no resistance at all. Any ideas on what this might be and who would be qualified to fix it for me.

To find the proper MOP grips for each pistol do I have to verify the model or will any model MOP grip from a 32 fit any other 32 and the same for the 38?

All help appreciated.

 

[cflier]

AKC47,
The 32 Safety Hammerless grips only fit the 32 Safety and none of the other 32s. The 38 Safety Hammerless grips are the same frame size as the S&W 38 Single Action, 38 Double Action and 38 Perfected top breaks and the 32 I frame hand ejector. It is much easier to find the pearl grips for the 38 because over a million guns were made in that frame size while only about 240000 32 Safetys were manufactured.

 

[KC0TQD]

.38 Safety Hammerless

Hello, new to the thread and the forum. I have owned this .38 Safety Hammerless for a few years now, but just now really got around to doing some research on it. It was one of a few guns I received after my grandfather passed; from what I know it belonged to my great-grandfather at some point (1889-1942). I think what I have would be 4th model(?), and serial no is 201xxx. It is a 4 inch barrel, and for the most part seems in good condition; but I am not a trained eye. I read on the forum that S&W did not ship sequentially numbered guns, but if there is a good guess of when this was made I would really appreciate it. Thanks and have enjoyed reading the posts so far on the forum, you all are a knowledgeable bunch!

Thanks,
James

 

[cflier]

Helllo KCOTQD,

Welcome to the forum. My guess would be that your old 4th model Safety Hammerless was shipped from the factory around 1907, 1908.
The only way to know for sure is to order a Factory Letter from Roy Jinks, the S&W historian.
Mark

 

[KC0TQD]

Thank you Mark, good to know. Sounds like it might be worth it to follow up and find out a little more on this.

Thanks
James