Smith and Wesson Revolved

[Darcy and Steve]

My father recently gave us a Smith and Wesson Revolver. We were wondering if someone could tell us the caliber and possbily the history behind the gun. Markings on it to the best that we can tell are K32 S.&W. CTG 21 or something close to that. On the top of the barrel between the front and rear sight:

Smith & Wesson Springfield MASS. USA. Pathoffby. 20.77.
DEC. 18. 77. May 11. 80 Sept. 11. 83. Oct. 2. 83. TWO AUG. 4. 83.

It is an all metal five shot with a hammerless and safety grip. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[rcmodel]

Well, it isn't a K-32, or it would be a 6-shot revolver with a hammer.

32 S&W CTG means .32 S&W Cartridge.
In other words, that's what it shoots.

You would have to post the serial number off of the butt, with the last few digits X'd out, or a picture to make a positive I.D.

But just guessing, I'd say it is one of the Safety Hammerless models, (Lemon Squeezer) of which there were three models, made between 1888 and 1937.

Post the serial number and/or photo and someone can pin it down closer.

rc

 

[pogo2]

Lemonsqueezer .32

If you could give us the serial number, barrel length, finish type and whether it is break top or swing out cylinder, it would help identify it. It is a lemon squeezer type, which were made from the 1880s until present in .32 and .38 calibers. The patents cited are probably from the 1870s and 1880s, and long expired. Here is a photo from the web of an early lemon squeezer gun (top) and a modern version (bottom):

 

[Radagast]

Darcy & Steve;

It does sound like a .32 S&W Safety Hammerless, also known as the New Departure or Lemon Squeezer.
The caliber is .32 S&W, NOT .32 S&W long. So if you buy ammunition for it specify this as some less knowledgeable people think .32 S&W long is .32 S&W.

These are a top break revolver with a grip safety that had to be squeezed for the gun to be able to fire. Finish was nickel or blued, with a five shot cylinder and hard rubber grips with the S&W monogram molded on to them. Standard barrel lengths were 3 & 3.5 inches, two inch and six inch guns are quite rare and have a higher collector value.

Depending on condition and rarity of the variant you have, value can run from $75 to $950 or more.

The 1st model was manufactured between 1888 & 1902, serial number range 1 to 91417.

The second model was manufactured from 1902 to 1909 in the serial number range 91418 to 170000.

The third model was manufactured from 1909 to 1937, serial number range was 170000 to 242981.