Question on a couple old guns

[AZ Heat]

I have a friend from out of town that has a couple old guns for sale. He's old so he cant see the model numbers but I thought I'd post anyways. When I see him, I'll post the model numbers.

Anyways, one is a 1st edition S&W 6-shot 3 1/2" barrel single action .32. He says it says it's an 1877 model.

The other is a Colt Peacemaker with interchangeable .22LR and .22Mag cylinders, ivory handles and 5.25" barrel. I guess this one is supposed to be pretty old but in like new condition with beautiful blueing.

Without knowing the exact model numbers, is there any information I can find out about these?

Thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

Smith & Wesson made 97,000+ single action .32s from 1878 to 1892. Blue Book values of a few hundred dollars in good condtion.

Colt made 190,000 Peacemaker .22s from 1970 to 1977. Blue Book values of a few hundred dollars in good condition.

 

[AZ Heat]

Thanks for the info. He wants to sell both for $400. I guess this sounds like a pretty good price.

 

[Jim Watson]

Probably a good price, IF the .22 is really "like new" and IF you bear in mind that those teeny little S&W .32s are really black powder guns over a century old. I know some are shot in CAS Pocket Pistol events, I have a .38 top break for the purpose, but they are still not real strong guns and I am sure you can get more advice NOT to shoot it than to use it.

If the .22 has REAL ivory, the grips are worth more than the gun. But not very likely.

 

[AZ Heat]

If the .32 is not a shooter, is this worth collecting or not really? Also, the .22 should be a good shooter, right?

Thanks again for the info!

 

[Old Fuff]

The .22 Peacemaker should be a good shooter, but it likely has fixed sights. It will probably shoot to point-of-aim with either .22 LR or .22 WRM cartridges, but not necessarily both. The value of the yet unidentified .32 S&W will depend on exactly which model it is, and the condition it is in. That said, if both guns are in reasonably good shape the asking price is not out of line.

 

[MrMurphy]

Peacemakers increase in value with age, regardless of caliber and an old SA S&W has got collector value unless it's trashed. I wouldn't shoot the Smith, but it would make a very interesting piece in the collection.

 

[Old Fuff]

Mr. M:

I don't think the "Peacemaker" in question is one of the original 1873 Single Action Army models, but rather a smaller (and much less expensive) .22 caliber revolver that was made between 1970 -1977. Even so, if it was in any decent condition it would be worth the asking price.

The problem with quoting a value for the "S&W 6-shot 3 1/2" barrel single action .32" is that Smith & Wesson didn't make a six-shot, single action, chambered for the .32 S&W cartridge. They did make their No. 2 "Old Army revolver, which had a tip-up barrel and was a six-shot .32 rim-fire. However the barrel lengths were usually 5 or 6 inches long. The shortest known factory length was 4 inches. Oh, and the No. 2 was made between 1861 to 1874, so I doubt that it was a "model 1877." The Old Fuff seldom leaps before he looks. I will await further information and hopefully some photographs.

 

[Jim Watson]

I figured he just couldn't count chambers by long distance and the guy has a 1 1/2. If it is a Tip Up .32 rimfire, collector value is more, shooting utility is nil.

 

[Majic]

That Peacemaker also came from the factory with black rubber stocks. The ivory (probably fake) is an aftermarket item.

 

[bfoster]

There's one other possibility with the Peacemaker.

Quite a number of first generation Colt SAA revolvers were converted to 22LR by the gunsmiths Sedgely, O'Meara, and Crull between the 30's and 60's. The first two passed away prior to the introduction of the 22 rimfire magnum, but Crull was active well into the 60's. It's possible that he converted a revolver to 22 calibre and provided two cylinders.

Bob

 

[AZ Heat]

Update...

The Colt has a 6" barrel. It has both .22LR and .22MAG cylinders. The colt only says "Peacemaker .22" on the barrel and is serial #61918XX. The frame looks "acidwashed" for lack of proper term but the rest is very clean blue. I don't know if it matters but the frame also is stamped "PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871 JULY 2, 72, JAN 19, 75" I would rate it in Excellent condition.

The Smith and Wesson is a flip up top 5-shot. It's front sight is rounded, 3 1/2" barrel. The back of the handle can be compressed (forgive me but I have no idea what for). It is hammerless and the trigger is pretty funky looking. The serial number is 606XX. The top of the barrel reads, "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS U.S.A. PAT'D FEBY 20. 77. DEC 18.77. MAY 11. 80. SEPT. 11. 83. OCT 2. 85. TWO AUG. 4. 85." The cylinder, frame and barrel all have matching serial numbers. I would say in Good, maybe a good Fair condition.

Any new help would be greatly appreciated! And if you know a ballpark of value I would also appreciate it.

 

[AZ Heat]

The S&W also came with a holster by WM. READ & SONS Pat'd May 5, 1885, Boston. Don't know if it matters but thought I'd add it anyways.

 

[Jim Watson]

Repeat, the Colt Peacemaker .22 - .22 Magnum was made between 1970 and 1977. It is a 7/8 scale .22 version of a real Single Action Army - which is what the patent dates are for - and is worth $400 tops if as new condition. Less or much less if much worn.

I don't know what you mean by "acid washed." Colt case hardening has a mottled multi-colored appearance when in good condition. The surface colors are fragile and can fade or wear pretty readily to an uneven grey. Many such guns are around with little color but still good blue on the other parts. So that one may be excellent or merely very good, which affects the value a good deal.

You have changed directions on the .32 S&W; it isn't a single action. The "back of the handle" that can be compressed is a grip safety, the gun won't fire if it is not held down... if it is working properly. It is a hammerless, double action only, chambered in .32 S&W, NOT .32 S&W Long. Early model designation was New Departure, later Safety Hammerless, but usually called the Lemonsqueezer because of the grip safety and tough DA trigger. Serial number indicates a First Model made 1888 to 1902, probably worth a couple of hundred dollars at most in fair to good condition. The holster might add a few bucks but not much on such a worn gun.

 

[Old Fuff]

I agree with Jim. The questionable identification of the S&W is the reason I hesitated to offer a previous opinion. The little "Safety Hammerless" is prized by some collectors, but only if it is in about 90% condition or better. Later production of this model can be safely fired with modern smokeless ammunition, but given the age of this one I would recommend not shooting it. The Colt .22 is safe to fire, and not so good in condition that it should become a safe queen. All things considered I think $400.00 for the two guns is a bit high, but much would depend on the exact condition of the S&W. I'd say if you really like this pair - go ahead, but if not I'd pass.

 

[AZ Heat]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the information. If I end up getting them I will post a picture.

 

[AZ Heat]

Just got done talking to the guy. I'm buying the Colt for $200. Hopefully that's a good deal. I guess it is if I value it at that... right? I'll post pics later on. He wanted to sell the S&W for $200 and I'm passing on that. I figure that I probably shouldn't shoot it and it isn't in excellent enought condition to sit in the safe and take up space.

Anyone else have one of these Colt Peacemaker .22's? Any suggestions for holsters?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Old Fuff]

I think you probably got an excellent buy on the Colt, and passing on the S&W was a good idea unless you're interested in 19th century antiques.

A holster intended for a Ruger Single Six (The older model, not the Super Single Six with adjustable sights) should fit the Colt as well.