Need help

[Bryman]

I have a s&w nickel plated, pearl handled, lemon, squeezer serial number 50231
What year was this made?

 

[mmaher94087]

Thirty-two or .38?

 

[Bryman]

Thirty-two or .38?

.32

 

[glowe]

Let's call it a 32 Safety Hammerless, 1st Model. It would have shipped from the factory around 1893. Qualifies as an antique by the BATF regulations.

 

[Bryman]

Do you know the value range? It’s clean inside just the nickel plating is rough

 

[glowe]

Maybe $150 to $200. In all models of the 32 Safety production, the company made almost a quarter-million of them and am guessing that most are still out there today.

 

[mmaher94087]

I enjoy seeing original, non-molested revolvers of this vintage. This one has been used and not particularly well taken care of to keep it pristine but that is the history and what makes it appealing. Because of the number produced and that there are a bunch that survived in new condition in a nightstand and never did anything, your revolver will not be an award winner or particularly valuable, however one should be delighted that the revolver was used. If it is an heirloom, that's so much better.

 

[JimFr]

Has anyone seen these New Departures’ in a six-inch barrel length?

 

[glowe]

Here is one I owned. The 6" barrel could also be found on the 32 DA.

 

[Bryman]

I enjoy seeing original, non-molested revolvers of this vintage. This one has been used and not particularly well taken care of to keep it pristine but that is the history and what makes it appealing. Because of the number produced and that there are a bunch that survived in new condition in a nightstand and never did anything, your revolver will not be an award winner or particularly valuable, however one should be delighted that the revolver was used. If it is an heirloom, that's so much better.

I shot 50 rounds through it yesterday , it works well , and it’s a fun little gun to shoot , but why is the ammo so expensive when there’s so many out there?

 

[Jim Watson]

There are a lot of them, but most are in drawers or cases.
If .32s were as popular as 9mm, ammo would be common and cheap.