S&W 32 5 shot Model 11/2?

[Buck Hunt]

I inherited this S&W. Not sure of model or how much it could be worth. if i were to sell it. On barrel. Pat'd Jan 24 & 25 65. July 11 65. Aug 24 69. Reissue July 25 1871. Feb 20 1877. Over cylinder is stamped Pat'd April 20.75. & Dec 18 1877.
Serial numbers on butt plate & cylinder match. #10894
Is this a model 32SA? Is this this a model 11/2? It has 3" barrel.
What would be a fair price, condition looks VG. Pic's included. I'm hoping a 10,000 serial number is rare. But don't know.
Thanks, For any info you can provide or valuation. Rich

 

[H Richard]

You are correct, a .32 Single Action Model 1 1/2 2nd Model, referred to as New Model, as the tip up .32 Rim fire was also named the Model 1 1/2. Yours is a very nice example, and from what I can see would fall in the Fine to Excellent classification. It was made from 1880 - 1882 with 22,142 of them having been made. Values are somewhat low, many were kept in the sock drawer for home defense, and therefore quite a number of them do show up in relatively good condition. Values, providing everything mechanically is good, would range from $250 to $400 depending on area's of the country. Ammunition is available for them, and are reasonably accurate (if you can see the teeny sights).

 

[glowe]

You have a .32 CF Model 1 1/2 made from 1878 to 1892. These are not particularly rare, with almost 100,000 made. Your gun looks to be standard configuration. These revolvers were made in both a 3" and 3 1/2" barrel length, with 6", 8" and 10" barrels which are uncommon to very rare.

Condition looks to be in fine condition, which commands somewhat of a premium. Only a guess, but maybe $300 to $400 would be a fair value.

They can be shot with .32 CF auto rounds, which are easily obtainable. Only problem is that the rims are smaller than original .32 and ejection of empties is sometimes is a minor problem.

Hope this helps.

 

[glowe]

oops - sorry H Richard, your fingers must be more nimble than mine and you beat me to the reply.

 

[McShooty]

I must, with respect, take exception to an earlier post. Buck Hunt, please do NOT try to fire this beautiful, 120-year old gun with modern .32 ACP ammunition, which is loaded to higher pressure levels than the .32 S&W for which the gun is chambered. This may be moot as the .32 ACP, being a longer case, may not chamber in your 1-1/2, since the cylinder is actually chambered and not bored straight through. Factory .32 ACP also usually comes with jacketed bullets and that is not good for an old gun, whose bore may measure in the .305 - .308" range, rather than .312". Factory .32 S&W ammo is still available although often scarce, but I woud not recommend that, either. Handloads of 1.3 gr Bullseye or 1.4 grains of Trail Boss, with bullets of less than 80 grains, would be best to try first.

 

[glowe]

I never shoot any of my old .32s often, but I look at it this way.

Standard .32 ACP with 71 grain lead bullets at 900fps versus 32 S&W with 88 grain lead bullets at 700fps. Lighter bullets faster speed, compared with heavier bullets at lower speed may yield similar pressures?? I don't know how many times I wished I had strain gauges and equipment to actually test pressure, then we could do some real data comparisons. I have not found any pressure data out there for these old calibers, but would love to find that data.

My guess is that the smaller .32 ACP bullet will also release some of the pressure, since it is loose in the bore. Small bullets will certainly affect your accuracy, but these little revolvers were never tack drivers anyway.

Cylinder length in the 1 1/2 is .925" and the S&W ACP measures .920".

Have never had problems shooting my old S&Ws, and a few rounds a year doesn't seem to be an issue, but I would not shoot .32 ACP in anything but excellent condition handguns.

 

[McShooty]

The SAAMI pressure specifications are listed in "Industry and Performance Standards, Pistol and Revolver Ammo," and are recommended "for use of commercial manufacturers." The following specs are given on page 11: .32 ACP, 15,000 CUP (copper units of pressure); .32 S&W, 12,000 CUP; .32 S&W Long, 12,000 CUP. Transducer-measured pressure values given on page 15 are: .32 ACP, 20,500 psi; .32 S&W Long 15,000 psi. A figure is not given here for the .32 S&W, but could be expected to be comparable to the .32 S&W Long, or less.

Again, the point is moot because a Model 1-1/2 is chambered for the .32 S&W, whose case measures .605," and the shoulder is cut for a case of that length. The .32 ACP, with a case .680" in length, will not fully seat in such a chamber. Moreover, the max OAL for the .32 ACP of .984" is .06" longer than the cylinder of a Model 1-1/2.

The point is not moot for a revolver chambered for the .32 S&W Long which has a case length of .920" and plenty of room in the chamber for a .32 ACP. Many know of this and have tried it. It would be unwise, however, to fire .32 ACP in a .32 S&W Long arm from the tail of the black powder era. There are some out there (not made by S&W), as there also might be some cheap, .32 S&W short-cylinder guns (also not made by S&W) with cylinders bored straight through, such that they would admit a .32 ACP round. Very unwise, even though they might appear to be in good condition.

 

[twaits]

I also think it's a bad idea to fire .32 ACP ammo in a .32 S&W or .32 Long. Especially one from the black powder era. It may not blow it up but it certainly will be very hard on it.
I know someone who has fired a Colt police positive .32 long with 32 ACPs with no ill effect but it's a much larger gun made in the smokeless era.
(I still think even this is not a good idea. One of the boneheads at Cabelas sold him the .32 ACP ammo because it chambered in his gun. And they sell .32 S&W Long!)

 

[Buck Hunt]

Thank You for all the info..I'm still confused, "H Richard" says model 11/2
second model with only 22,142 made. But dates are from 1880 to 1882.
Pat'd date on this S&W is 1877. "Glowe" says model CF 11/2 w/ 100,000
made. 1878 to 1892. Does the serial number of 10894 help tell which is correct?
Also. i agree w/ "McShooty" I would only fire this gun w/ S&W 32 ammo. Which this pistol did have a box of w/ 8 rounds with it.
All this help from other members is great.. i may even start collecting. I would like to find an antique 38 cal for home protection. And have both at the ready.. the 32 & the 38.
Thanks for all the help.. Rich (Buck Hunt)

 

[glowe]

You do have a .32 CF - look at the hole where the hammer pin comes through the frame. Rimfires had a vertical slot where the hammer would hit the rim of the cartridge.

I think H Richard was comparing your revolver with the older .32 rimfires, which also had the same model designation.

 

[mmaher94087]

OK, here goes: You have a .32 CF, New Model 1 1/2. S&W made a 1 1/2 RIMFIRE Old Model, Transition (parts from both models) and New Model 1 1/2s; all were .32 RIMFIRE cartridge. As Glowe pointed out, your .32 CENTERFIRE 1 1/2 production began in 1878. Nice revolver. Mike #283

 

[Curley Howard]

.32 CF

I also have recently aquired a revover like yours. Although the gun is very tight, the finish is poor. I was wondering about ammo and what the gun may be worth.

 

[Curley Howard]

any idea on the worth. what about ammo availability?

 

[TACC1]

On your browser, type in "ammo to go", they've got 32 S&W,
and it's where I get most of mine. Good to deal with, IMO. TACC1
Nice gun.

 

[glowe]

Able Ammo has this caliber in stock. Don't buy .32 S&W long, just .32 S&W.