New Member Question about S&W Pearl Handle 5? Shot

[Phoebe1]

Good afternoon. I am a new member posting my first question. (Posted originally in The Lounge and suggested it appear here).

I inherited a very rusty gun that I think is a .32 Caliber 5 Shot Revolver by S & W. From what I can discern there were supposed to be two gold medallions on the pearl, but they are missing. The pearl is in good shape.

I can't even open the cylinder or cock the hammer it is so rusty. Does the gun have ANY value, it may to a collector who likes to repair guns? Any interesting history about this gun?

I appreciate any information.

Regards,
Phoebe1

 

[Phoebe1]

Hello again.

I did just find a post that has this comment "Originally, Smith & Wesson pearl grips were made without any medallions,..."

If this is helpful for age identification?

Thanks again.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Phoebe! It appears you may have a .32 Double Action, 5th Model, from 1909-1919. These guns were often copied by Spanish gunsmiths and it could be a forgery. We will need a lot more information off the gun to differentiate starting with any patent dates and other information stamped on top of the barrel. As it sits, the pearl grips are worth more than the gun which IMO is practically valueless. S&W made hundreds of thousands of these DA revolvers and they don't bring much unless they are in pristine condition with original box. The grips are likely not S&W made as they would have had medallions in the top flat area in that era. I recommend taking the grips off carefully, don't pry, by loosening the grip screw and pushing on the head to pop off the right panel. Then, you can push off the left panel through the frame. Wrap them in tissue and store them until you decide to sell them or acquire another DA to put them on. You may have to heat the grips and frame with a hair dryer to loosen them up.

 

[Lady Smith]

Hi and welcome,

Spanish and Belgian made some very good copies from S&W DA.
As already said, we need some more informations and better photos.
I have already seen original pearl grips without medallions.

 

[glowe]

Welcome. I think you have an Iver Johnson revolver. Looking at the trigger assembly it also looks as if there is a broken spring or two. TI can't make out the numbers on the bottom of the frame. Could you read them and reply? If an IJ, it would have been made around the turn of the Twentieth Century.

 

[opoefc]

Sorry Phoebe, but I don't believe you have a S&W. Might be an IJ, as mentioned above, or anyone of many different makers producing this style of .32 revolver, including foreign makers, from the 1880s up to WW2. The gun has no value to a collector but may have some intrinsic value to you as a family heirloom. You can probably clean up it's appearance some with elbow grease & steel wool, put in a shadow box with Grand Pa Zeke's photo ( or which ancestor owned it ) and enjoy as a conversation piece. Ed

 

[glowe]

I agree with Ed about the cleaning. I would clean it up. Remove the rust and you might find some stampings to help identify the gun. It won't hurt the value and might will improve the chances that you might reveal the manufacturer.

 

[Phoebe1]

Wow, thanks everyone!

I really appreciate all the input about this gun.

Now my interest is really piqued as to who actually made it. The numbers at the bottom of the grip on the metal band that goes around are: 340834

The only history that I could fathom about this gun that I inherited from my husband who inherited it from his family is that maybe?? it belonged to one of the relatives that did know Al Capone. My husband's family has a long Florida history and one of these relatives was even seen in a picture that had Al Capone in it. Of course none of this could have anything to do with the gun.

I would like to know at this time if my boyfriend's suggestion of putting the gun in WD-40 would be of any benefit? He was very sure that I shouldn't try to scrape off the rust above the engraved writing and numbers on the barrel. OOPS, hold on...
I just used a magnifying glass to look at this and I can clearly make out now the following: 32 CAL S & W. CTGE.

One of the responses above states that I might want to remove the pearl handles, that they are likely worth more than the gun. What $ level would these be at? If it's only a few dollars I suppose I'd leave them on.

Does this help anyone?

Thanks again.

 

[gmborkovic]

Put that rev. under a bright light and start to interrogate her about where she has been. We have ways of making her talk. Just a good soak will make her talk.

 

[Phoebe1]

Lol....?

Made me laugh.

Seriously though, I should soak it? In the WD-40?

Regards,
Phoebe1

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Phoebe1]

TY S & W Oldtimer (Roger)

Appreciate the welcome sir.

Do you know if I should soak the gun in the WD-40? I assume I should avoid sandpaper...even very gentle sandpaper?

What is the proper way to clean this gun without damaging it?

Sincerely,
Phoebe

 

[OLDSTER]

Welcome from North Dakota

 

[mmaher94087]

"What is the proper way to clean this gun without damaging it?" Soak it in a 50/50 blend of Acetone and Automatic Transmission fluid and lightly scrub it with 0000 Bronze Wool. Acetone and bronze wool are available from ACE Hardware or other hardware type store and the ATF can be sourced at your local Auto Parts store. Soak for a week (outside in a covered pan) and use the bronze wool lightly. I believe your revolver is an Iver Johnson.

 

[merl67]

As Mike suggested use the 50/50 mixture to soak the gun in. I will add to remove the grips first put a few drops of the mixture on the grip screw and let set for a few days it will help loosen the screw, as has been said above when it does loosen back the screw almost all of the way out then tap on the head of the screw to push the opposite grip off do not pry on them. When you have that one off push from the inside to get the other one off. Patience is your friend.

 

[H Richard]

Avoid WD-40, but soak the gun (after removing the grips), in 50/50 ATF/Acetone mixture, or some other penetrating oil such as Kroil. Letting it soak for several days won't do it any harm.

 

[Phoebe1]

Re: Cleaning

Thank you very much for the cleaning instructions.

Just a note: I am currently speaking with a gentleman that is a firearms expert and he thought IJ also. But now he is pretty sure it isn't IJ or S&W. He says the trigger isn't quite right. He says it looks more like a Forehand Perfection Double Action revolver, chambered in a .32 S & W and made 1902-1907.

Thank you everyone for your help. Goodnight.

Phoebe

 

[Mercs]

New Member Question about S&W Pearl Handle 5? Shot

That gun actually looks like it might clean up ok. Ivory grips are always pleasant to look at. Please post “after” photos if you can. Thanks


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[Alk8944]

There are several possibilities as to the manufacturer of OPs revolver, but S&W is not one of them! Forehand & Wadsworth is probably the most likely if it is U.S. made, but any of the others mentioned previously are all possible.

 

[kthom]

The 50/50 mixture mentioned is a very good way to soak a gun in the condition yours is in. Couple of caveats though. First, the acetone is not something you should breathe or get on your skin. Wear latex/nitrile gloves and mix the stuff and pour it in a very well ventilated area, maybe even with a good quality dust mask in place. Don't splash the stuff into your face or eyes either!

Once you get the mixture done, the pan you use for soaking needs to be tightly covered since the acetone will evaporate quickly. You can use a piece of heavy tinfoil, but seal it smoothly and tightly. If your soaking requires more than a week's worth, pour out the mixture and dispose of it carefully. Won't hurt to pour it on the ground in a place where nothing is growing, but again, choose wisely. Probably not a practice that's recommended in today's world! That handgun may need a second week's soaking. You can also get the 0000 bronze wool from Amazon if you can't find it locally. Make sure what you get is 100% bronze, not bronze covered steel. A magnet will detect the steel if you have a question.