My antique Mode
- Thread starter CraigB2126
- Start date
OP
Sorry I messed up my first post.
This is my Model 11/2 top break .32 smith. I wanted to carry it and finding a holster is impossible that would be suitable for concealed carry. I made this as my inside the waist I put a sweat barrier so the grip doesn’t get moisture on it. I love these little revolvers this one is especially nice the bore looks really nice good lock up a very fun gun to shoot with the proper ammo. Thanks.
Boulder350
Member
Wow, walnut grips on a nickel gun. If the grips have a matching serial number to the frame they are rare. I have 500 serial numbers in my database for the 32 SA revolver and only 5 guns currently wear the walnut grips and 3 of those have a nickel finish. Yours would be number 6. Is your serial number in the upper 5000's or low 6000's?
Great looking revolver. Is it a 3 1/2" barrel?
Great looking revolver. Is it a 3 1/2" barrel?
OP
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Hi There,
Most sources say that the first 6500 of this model had
an eccentric but the OP's has a strain screw. How odd
is this?
Cheers!
Webb
Edit: Added pic of eccentric.
Cheers!
Webb
Most sources say that the first 6500 of this model had
an eccentric but the OP's has a strain screw. How odd
is this?
Cheers!
Webb
Edit: Added pic of eccentric.
Cheers!
Webb
Last edited:
OP
So the first 6500 were supposed to be different than mine well it was a cool gun now that I know a bit more Its even cooler. Thanks
OP
So that’s a cleaner and probably more comfortable design than having the screw sticking out.
Maybe since mines almost 6000 they were running low on the eccentric and some were fitted with screws early.
OP
I ment to add that’s a clean frame on yours I wish mine looked that good.
The earliest lettered example having the external strain screw is serial number 4768. See letter
There was obviously a significant overlap during the transition.
The latest serial number having the “internal” cam is serial number 7692.
See letter
The OP’s gun having walnut grips and lower serial number was likely a first year production gun (1878) and originally shipped with blue finish.
Major Distributors often changed finish on guns that did not sell. Nickel finish in 1878 was the new and improved finish at that time. Only collectors value original blued guns.
There was obviously a significant overlap during the transition.
The latest serial number having the “internal” cam is serial number 7692.
See letter
The OP’s gun having walnut grips and lower serial number was likely a first year production gun (1878) and originally shipped with blue finish.
Major Distributors often changed finish on guns that did not sell. Nickel finish in 1878 was the new and improved finish at that time. Only collectors value original blued guns.
Great info on the strain screw topic. Thank you for sharing!
Regards, Lyle
Regards, Lyle
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Does anyone have a guess on box age/order for 32 SA’s?
Did it go:
Wood
Red
Green
Or did the wood case overlap?
How many variations of each?
I know it is a Rabbit hole but asking for a “friend”
Lyle
Did it go:
Wood
Red
Green
Or did the wood case overlap?
How many variations of each?
I know it is a Rabbit hole but asking for a “friend”
Lyle
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Hi There,
As I understand it, all of these .32 CF SA came in a
cardboard box. The wooden cases were sold separately
and the Dealer/Distributor is the one that put the revolvers
into the these wooden cases. Early boxes were the maroon
colored boxes (very early ones did not have end labels).
The green boxes came later.
Cheers!
Webb
Edit: Here are a couple examples. First, SN 1894.
Second, SN 54364.
Cheers!
Webb
As I understand it, all of these .32 CF SA came in a
cardboard box. The wooden cases were sold separately
and the Dealer/Distributor is the one that put the revolvers
into the these wooden cases. Early boxes were the maroon
colored boxes (very early ones did not have end labels).
The green boxes came later.
Cheers!
Webb
Edit: Here are a couple examples. First, SN 1894.
Second, SN 54364.
Cheers!
Webb
Last edited:
OP
That’s a nice one and you have a box also. They all had wooden boxes like that First thing I look at are the screws yours are nice like mine I always thought that if the screw heads are still nice then chances are it’s never been worked on.
Just my opinion here ok? From long standing research.
The first wood case seen in photo 1. My gun and box. Not many made. Estimated at less than 1000.
The first PASTEBOARD BOX was the GREEN BOX. This follows the Baby Russian and 2nd Model 38. Green box with 1880’s orange label.
The second box was the Red Box with and without sectional inserts. As they aged the color darkened to a Burgundy color. Might actually be two different boxes. One Blood Red the other more common being the Burgundy Box.
The latest box was a mustard color with no partitions. Very plain box.
I have seen both the mustard box and the Burgundy box with 3in1 oil samples that didn’t come out until the early 1890’s.
These are all of the boxes that I’m aware of. There were also Distributor Walnut cases of many types and designs.
The first wood case seen in photo 1. My gun and box. Not many made. Estimated at less than 1000.
The first PASTEBOARD BOX was the GREEN BOX. This follows the Baby Russian and 2nd Model 38. Green box with 1880’s orange label.
The second box was the Red Box with and without sectional inserts. As they aged the color darkened to a Burgundy color. Might actually be two different boxes. One Blood Red the other more common being the Burgundy Box.
The latest box was a mustard color with no partitions. Very plain box.
I have seen both the mustard box and the Burgundy box with 3in1 oil samples that didn’t come out until the early 1890’s.
These are all of the boxes that I’m aware of. There were also Distributor Walnut cases of many types and designs.
OP
Nice collection the engraved one are the grips pearl?
Blue Dog, thank you for sharing this info. Does the mustard box have an end label (or did it)? I don't think I have come across a mustard SA box. Regards, Lyle
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Hi There,
I disagree that the green box came before the red box.
Even your own pics show a later model 1-1/2 with the
green box and an earlier model 1-1/2 in a red box.
Cheers!
Webb
I disagree that the green box came before the red box.
Even your own pics show a later model 1-1/2 with the
green box and an earlier model 1-1/2 in a red box.
Cheers!
Webb
Webb,
This is all speculation. So there is nothing to disagree with.
Also, the guns in the boxes could be from any serial number range. Guns find their way into boxes and cases.
No way to prove any gun is original in any box. It’s all argumentative. I can easily contest anyone’s claim that a gun is original to a pasteboard box. Anyone can pencil a number on the bottom!
The few mustard boxes I’ve seen are found with white labels only with nickel finish guns.
However, they are often different based on finish. Blued guns often are found with different color labels. I’ve seen green labels for blued guns. Etc.
The opinion I expressed is based on what I’ve seen and documented over many years. The orange label I’ve seen countless times on early boxes that date to 1880. The Green boxes follow as I clearly stated before the Baby Russian and 2nd Model 38 SA boxes. Late 1870’s.
The Burgundy and Mustard boxes came with 3 in 1 samples. Those are late boxes.
The grips are ivory on the engraved 32 SA in the wood case.
This is all speculation. So there is nothing to disagree with.
Also, the guns in the boxes could be from any serial number range. Guns find their way into boxes and cases.
No way to prove any gun is original in any box. It’s all argumentative. I can easily contest anyone’s claim that a gun is original to a pasteboard box. Anyone can pencil a number on the bottom!
The few mustard boxes I’ve seen are found with white labels only with nickel finish guns.
However, they are often different based on finish. Blued guns often are found with different color labels. I’ve seen green labels for blued guns. Etc.
The opinion I expressed is based on what I’ve seen and documented over many years. The orange label I’ve seen countless times on early boxes that date to 1880. The Green boxes follow as I clearly stated before the Baby Russian and 2nd Model 38 SA boxes. Late 1870’s.
The Burgundy and Mustard boxes came with 3 in 1 samples. Those are late boxes.
The grips are ivory on the engraved 32 SA in the wood case.
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Hi There,
I agree this is speculation based on some observations.
It is estimated that as many as 90% of the guns in boxes
are not in their original box. So it does become difficult
to know until a large sample has been examined.
Cheers!
Webb
I agree this is speculation based on some observations.
It is estimated that as many as 90% of the guns in boxes
are not in their original box. So it does become difficult
to know until a large sample has been examined.
Cheers!
Webb
GREAT holster design!
OP
Thanks Sniper it’s not my best work I only had a small piece of vegetable tanned leather otherwise the sweat guard would have been one piece.
mmaher94087
Member
The mustard box in the photo is for a .32 Safety Hammerless 1st Model.
My three pasteboard .32 SA boxes do not have serial numbers.
The box with the earliest revolver (SN 4060) is red w/ no label. Purchased 1989.
Next, by serial number of the revolver (SN 80075), is a green box with an orange label. Purchased 1997. This unit went to Paris and back.
The third box is a relic and is reddish-brown.
My three pasteboard .32 SA boxes do not have serial numbers.
The box with the earliest revolver (SN 4060) is red w/ no label. Purchased 1989.
Next, by serial number of the revolver (SN 80075), is a green box with an orange label. Purchased 1997. This unit went to Paris and back.
The third box is a relic and is reddish-brown.
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