Need help with age of S&W 32 "Lemon Squeezer"

[Grandson]

My grandfather showed me this gun he has had for over 30 years. He told me it was a Smith & Wesson .32 5-round hammerless revolver, also known as a lemon squeezer, with pearl grips. He wanted me to look into identifying how old it is and maybe what it would be worth (rough estimate). The value isn't as important to him as knowing some more about the history.

From reading on the forum, I won't post the picture of the serial number. Some say it is fine and some say it could be a potential issue. But the serial number is 125xxx. If you need an additional number, let me know, but the length is six digits.

I don't have the barrel length, but when I visit my grandfather I can measure that.

I added a picture of the top of the barrel that says Springfield, Mass USA (etc, etc). I know it is blurry, but what do the various dates mean?

 

[JSR III]

Welcome to the forum. The patent dates on the top of the barrel represent various patents of features that are incorporated into the firearm. I am not up on the various dates used during the time frame of this revolver but I am sure others will be along shortly that can explain what each refers to. The photo was too small and blurry for me to read on my monitor so if you could list the dates it might help.

Condition and accoutrements are critical with value. A mint gun with the original box and tools will garner the highest price.

Your gun appears to be only in fair to good condition so it is probably only worth a couple of hundred. This is also due to the fact that many were made and this then decreases rarity.

Regardless, it is a family gun and there is only one of those in existence. Folks here on the forum consider family guns to be very significant but unfortunately they don't hold that significance when sold to others.

Hope that helps.

 

[Grandson]

Thank you for the information. The biggest remaining mystery then is the serial number, 125xxx. My grandfather would love knowing how old it is. And I'm excited learning about this revolver, too.

I'll try to list the patent dates. This part may contain errors because I only have the (slightly blurry) picture to go by right now.

"Springfield, Mass USA PAT'D FEBY
20, 77 Dec 18, 77 May 11, 80 Sept 11, 83 Oct 2, 83 TWO AUG 85"

Thank you for the help and the warm welcome.

 

[Breakaway500]

Nice looking revolver. I can't add much to it's age etc..but if I saw that on a table in front of me with a $400-450 price tag, I would be very inclined to pick it up and have a better look. The values in my area would support it.

 

[Absalom]

Thank you for the information. The biggest remaining mystery then is the serial number, 125xxx. My grandfather would love knowing how old it is. And I'm excited learning about this revolver, too.

.....

From the serial it appears it is a Second Model (91501 to 172000), made between 1900 and 1909. I have 145xxx, which shipped in Oct. 1906, so your 125xxx would likely be a year or two before that.

 

[Grandson]

From the serial it appears it is a Second Model (91501 to 172000), made between 1900 and 1909. I have 145xxx, which shipped in Oct. 1906, so your 125xxx would likely be a year or two before that.

Thank you! That will really make my grandfather smile. It amazes me a gun that old can still work.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! The non-factory pearl grips appear to be in nice shape. Around here, they would sell for $100-200. So, they are worth more than the gun.

The safety hammerless, AKA New Departure, was designed with a grip safety to prevent a child from discharging the gun. Your GF's gun was made after 1898 so it is not considered an antique and must be treated under laws that apply to modern guns.