Possible year?

[rlj77]

My brother in law left me a 32 caliber, external hammer, top break revolver. SN 8432.i am interested in the year of manufacture or an approximate date.

 

[AC Man]

Looks like a early second model 1880 - 1882 with serial number 31 to 22172 manufactured. Smith & Wesson Catalog appraisal is $450 as new in box to $200 Very Good.

 

[AC Man]

Value I quoted is from the S&W 4th addition. There is a new version out now that may change.

 

[red9]

Does the same number appear on the rear of the cylinder, underside of the barrel latch and inside the "ears" at the rear of the barrel? Possibly scratched inside the right grip.

Bob

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Your revolver almost certainly shipped in 1880. There were 22,141 2nd Model revolvers made. I have a late one, 20,633 that shipped in 1881. Great little guns, but very anemic. My example was my great-grandfathers and grandfathers gun. My grandfather would relate to me that he shot rats around the chicken coop normally, but once tried to shoot a racoon in the barn with the little 32. It only made it mad and it ran away and came back over the next several months with an angry look on its face.

 

[AC Man]

Good lord I can't figure out this forum as of late. I can't even see a way to edit a comment. Anyhoo, Edit I had a typo on my new in box quote. Should have been $750 not $450.