S&W .32 CF SA Patent Dates

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


I am looking into when the "V" shapes patent dates were used
on the top-strap over the cylinder. The SCS&W says that "More
than 1,000 of the first guns did not have the patent markings."
in The Smith & Wesson 1857 to 1954 (A handbook for Collectors),
it states that these patent dates started to appear between serial
numbers 1216 and 1450.

I am bringing this up because I have a couple of these revolvers
and I have one, serial number 1102 that has those patent dates
and one, serial number 1355 does not have them. This seems
to go against the published information.

So, I would like to hear from anyone that has one of these with
a serial number of 1400 and lower and whether it has those "V"
shaped patent dates on the topstrap.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[glowe]

I see that page 322 barrel stamping details show 38 SAs as having those reissue dates 1875 and 1877 on examples after #1300, but no reference to those without patent dates.

 

[Boulder350]

There almost always appears to be a transition time frame with all these old top breaks when they changed features. There is one currently for sale on line that is engraved with pearl grips with serial number 1804 that does not have the v shaped patents. I did not track the v shaped patents right away, but yours is the first one I have noted with the V shaped patents.

The external cam screw for the main spring on this model started around serial number 4700 and ended around serial number 7700. What strange is the higher numbers without the external stain screw are blued examples. There was defiantly an extend transition time frame with this feature.

Another example is the 38 DA revolver. The Neal and Jinks book states that the 2nd models with the curved side plate started around serial 4000. The letters from the historical society now state that the curved side plate starts at around serial number 3700. I have one in my collection with serial number 3455 that has the curved side plate.

As time goes on we keep learning more about these old beauties.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

There is one currently for sale on line that is engraved with pearl grips with serial number 1804 that does not have the v shaped patents. I did not track the v shaped patents right away, but yours is the first one I have noted with the V shaped patents.

I have serial # 1894 and it has the "V" shaped patents.


Cheers!
Webb