Pawn Shop Find - .32 DA 3d Model 1883 .32 S&W

[Col Defender]

Hi

Came across this revolver months ago actually and saw it again today.

SN 425XX and it appears to be what the title says although I am way out of my sphere of knowledge on one this old. Nickel finish maybe 50% and the cylinder spins free. No lock up at all. The small part which should protrude from the lower part of the frame to lock the cylinder is not there or possibly is there but down inside the works because of a broken spring maybe?? Hammer and trigger seem to work normally assuming that these revolvers are DA only and the hammer is not supposed to lock back. (Something else I don't know.) Grips appear to be of the correct type but look brand new and obviously not original to the gun.

Dealer wants $110 (reduced from $139) but since it's been there for a long time maybe it could be had for $100. But what kind of a fair value could such a gun have? Maybe the locking lug could be repaired or replaced and then it would be OK to fire. Maybe not.

Any opinions??

Thanks

Steve

 

[Dosgatos]

If it has a visible hammer it is supposed to lock back. To me, this gun would be worth $50-75 for parts.

 

[opoefc]

Unless you are looking for a project gun and a learning experience, stay away from it. It's a parts gun, maybe, at the best. That cylinder locking part is delicate and breaks easily in these older guns. A replacement part is not easy to find and expensive when you do, and can be a small nightmare to install. These guns are not scarce and you can find a complete operating specimen for $175 to $225 range at most bigger gun shows, or on the internet auction sites. Ed.

 

[Col Defender]

Thanks!!

Thanks Dosgatos and epoefc.

I must admit this gun piqued my curiosity. It's much older than any other Smith I own. But it's not what I collect. And I appreciate your advice and suspect that you are both exactly right.

It will stay in the pawn shop.

Steve