I have a S&W .32 Top Break. I guess a New Departure model SN 455687. Blue with 5 inch barrel. Can anyone tell me the year of manufacture. I think this would be the fourth model. Wondering if its ok to use smokeless powder in this one. And was the 5 inch barrel common?
.32 S&W Top Break
- Thread starter Duster
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Da...... 
The New Departure series (also called the Safety Hammerless) was a top-break pocket model revolver, with a grip safety - made in two frame sizes. The small frame was chambered in .32 S&W, and a larger, mid-frame in .38 S&W.
The smaller .32 serial number range only went to 242,981 when the revolver was discontinued in 1937. Standard barrel lengths were 3 and 3 1/2" inches. A .32 with a 5" barrel would be possible, but most unusual - and if proven to be genuine would be worth a fair amount of bucks.
The .38 version was made from 1887 to 1940 (give or take) and discontinued at serial number 261,493 with (over the years) standard barrel lengths of 2, 3 1/4, 4, 5 and 6 inches.
Tell me exactly what you have and we can address the issue of smokeless powder.
The New Departure series (also called the Safety Hammerless) was a top-break pocket model revolver, with a grip safety - made in two frame sizes. The small frame was chambered in .32 S&W, and a larger, mid-frame in .38 S&W.
The smaller .32 serial number range only went to 242,981 when the revolver was discontinued in 1937. Standard barrel lengths were 3 and 3 1/2" inches. A .32 with a 5" barrel would be possible, but most unusual - and if proven to be genuine would be worth a fair amount of bucks.
The .38 version was made from 1887 to 1940 (give or take) and discontinued at serial number 261,493 with (over the years) standard barrel lengths of 2, 3 1/4, 4, 5 and 6 inches.
Tell me exactly what you have and we can address the issue of smokeless powder.
Sistema1927
Member
Does it have an external hammer?
deadin
Member
Are you sure it's a .32? It looks more like a .38 DA and the serial you gave fits in the .38 DA 4th Model range. (The .32's didn't get that high)
Anyway, the .38 DA 4th Model was made from 1895-1909 in a serial range of 322701 to 539000.
Anyway, the .38 DA 4th Model was made from 1895-1909 in a serial range of 322701 to 539000.
New Departure my foot....
You have a .38 Double Action. 4th Model, probably made around 1902, give or take a year or two. Standard barrel lengths were 3 1/4, 4, 5 and 6 inches. They were chambered in .38 S&W. So far as smokeless loads are concerned it's on the borderline, and I wouldn't advise shooting it with current ammunition unless you had a very good reason for doing so.
You have a .38 Double Action. 4th Model, probably made around 1902, give or take a year or two. Standard barrel lengths were 3 1/4, 4, 5 and 6 inches. They were chambered in .38 S&W. So far as smokeless loads are concerned it's on the borderline, and I wouldn't advise shooting it with current ammunition unless you had a very good reason for doing so.
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