S&W identification

[xtarheel]

When my uncle passed away I inherited a handgun that had been his father's. His father had been a New York police detective very early in the 20th century. The handgun is a top break .32 short. Nickel finish (mostly gone).
Appears to be double action only. Serial number is 45310.

I've seen reference to S&W model 1 ,3 etc. How do I determin what this is?

 

[Jim K]

Pictures?

Jim

 

[Shadow 7D]

You can contact S&W, I believe they have a archive/history department, and for some money they can tell you who originally order the gun.

 

[Radagast]

xtarheel:
Assuming it is a top break (barrel tilts down, cylinder tilts up) and a centerfire:

If the gun has an enclosed hammer with a grip safety, then it is a .32 Safety Hammerless 1st Model, manufactured between 1888 & 1902 in the serial range 1 to 91417. These were also known as the Lemon Squeezer (due to the visual look of the grip & grip safety) or New Departure (refering to the hammerless design).

If the gun has an exposed hammer then it is a .32 Double Action 3rd Model manufactured between 1882 & 1883 in the serial range 22173 to 43405. It would also be malfunctioning, as the exposed hammer variant is single action/double action capable.

Either model is a blackpowder gun, don't shoot modern ammo through it unless you want to wear it out quickly.

The Model 1 & Model 2 were rimfire guns that had a tip up barrel.
The Model 3 was a large framed 6 shot top break.

 

[Radagast]

Also, the caliber is .32 S&W (sometimes referred to as .32 S&W short). Not .32 Short Colt which was manufactured around the same time frame and had different dimensions.

 

[xtarheel]

photo

Here is a photo of the Smith along with a .38 caliber Marlin that belonged to my great aunt. Yes, she was a pistol packing mama back in the 19teens.

 

[Radagast]

xtarheel:
A couple of corrections:
The No.2 Old Model was a tip up gun. The No.2 Single Action was a top break gun.

The gun in question is a .32 Double Action 4th Model manufactured between 1883 & 1909 in the serial range 43406 to 282999. So 1883/1884 is likely. The rounded rear of section of the trigger guard and the serial number are correct for this model.

This guns should be double action/single action capable, so something is malfunctioning. If you are planning to shoot it, have it looked at by a gunsmith who knows what he is doing. These old guns are apparently hard to work on, maybe a PM to Old Fuff will get you a name of someone with some experience working on them.

The Marlin is the first I've ever seen. Looking it up in Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms, it appears to be a Marlin 38 Standard 1878 Pocket Revolver manufactured between 1876 & 1887.

I get the feeling that your great aunt would have been an interesting lady to know.

 

[Guillermo]

I get the feeling that your great aunt would have been an interesting lady to know.

I concur

 

[xtarheel]

Thank Radagast. These are definetly not to be shot but family keepsakes.
I got the Marlin when I was a teenager. I just had to shoot it but was scared. I bought a box of .38 S&W (they didn't care how old you were back then). I took a two hand grip with a pine tree between me and the gun and squeezed the trigger. It did't blow apart but I won't chance it again. I shot the other 49 rounds through my Mk. IV Webley years latter.

 

[Radagast]

Maybe you should invest in an EOD suit. I've met one shooter who many years ago obtained an original Remington derringer & ammo. He fired it at a stump at seven meters and got smacked in the chest when the round bounced back. The gun didn't blow up though.