Old S&W

[RRomig]

Any info about this revolver would be appreciated. I can’t find the caliber stamped anywhere. Ser# is 538xx
Thanks
Ron

 

[308Scout]

Google Image Search IDs it as a S&W New Departure Safety Hammerless. Looks like they were manufactured in .38 or .32 S&W.

A S&W Safety Hammerless 4th Model

www.brucevarner.com

New Departure SMITH & WESSON .38 Safety Hammerless C&R “LEMON SQUEEZER” 5th Model S&W SELF DEFENSE Hammerless Revolver

This gun is listed as a Curio Relic and will need to be shipped to your local FFL dealer at our expense.

www.ancestryguns.com

 

[Biggfoot44]

The size difference between .38 S&W and .32 S&W is blatantly obvious .

I, I'm about to run out the door to work , but I'll consult SCSW tommorow .

 

[RRomig]

Thanks

 

[Brickman301]

Yep, the others are right. It was also nicknamed the lemon squeezer, because of the grip safety. Pretty cool little revolver. The only calibers they were made in is 38 or 32 S&W.
Don’t confuse these with 32S&W long, or 38 special, they are different calibers

 

[RRomig]

bore is approx .355

 

[Biggfoot44]

.38 S&W

 

[RRomig]

The size difference between .38 S&W and .32 S&W is blatantly obvious .

I, I'm about to run out the door to work , but I'll consult SCSW tommorow .

Are you able to tell the year and a rough idea on value
Thanks

 

[Brickman301]

Are you able to tell the year and a rough idea on value
Thanks

I’m not Bigfoot……but I’ll try to help.
It’s been a few years but I was interested/ collected these revolvers for a while.
Going off memory, the blued ones were a little more rare, as most were nickel plated. That being said, the blueing on yours is not perfect, which will hurt the value. Like everything gun related in the last few years, these have gone up in value. The best way to get a value is to look at the sold prices on gunbroker

 

[RRomig]

I’m not Bigfoot……but I’ll try to help.
It’s been a few years but I was interested/ collected these revolvers for a while.
Going off memory, the blued ones were a little more rare, as most were nickel plated. That being said, the blueing on yours is not perfect, which will hurt the value. Like everything gun related in the last few years, these have gone up in value. The best way to get a value is to look at the sold prices on gunbroker

Thanks that’s my go to. I think knowing the year may help assign value and sell.

 

[Brickman301]

Thanks that’s my go to. I think knowing the year may help assign value and sell.

Oh yeah, I missed that part. I believe you can find the year of manufacture by doing a google search. The pre 1898 ones sell for a slight premium, as they are considered antiques.

 

[RRomig]

Oh yeah, I missed that part. I believe you can find the year of manufacture by doing a google search. The pre 1898 ones sell for a slight premium, as they are considered antiques.

From what I can find it’s early 1890s

 

[Biggfoot44]

My bad ! I forgot to look up in SCSW tonight before leaving for work .

Other internet checking points to it being a Third Model Safety Hammerless , not a Fourth Model . 2nd and 3rd have push button release , 4th has T Handle release . Plus the S/N puts it in the range for Third Model .

Mfg from 1890- 98 , so all are Antique. Guestimating from overall s/n range , would be early 1890's . When I do check SCSW hopefully be able to give the year .

 

[Biggfoot44]

OK , just checked the SCSW .

No breakdown by year for these . If going with an equal distribution throughout the Model run , would guesstimate early '92 , possibly late '91 . If you're really into it , you could get a S&W Historical Assn Factory Letter with all the details .

Going over the condition standards used by SCSW for guns of that manufacturing age ( which are meaningfully different for general " Modern Condition ( SCSW has several different age brackets , with 1925 & up being modern ) . Yours is actually pretty good .

For : Original configuration & parts , or only very minor changes , period correct for Era ( ie fancy grips , or slightly modified sights to sight in ) . Only minor parts replaced.

Sharp markings , minor grip blemishes , good bore .

Minimum 70% Original Blue remaining (80% for nickel )

That's SCSW Fine . ( By comparison, " NRA Antique Fine " is over 30 % Original finish .

From from your pics , assuming bore is OK , it looks like a solid Fine .

Depending on if the Bore was excellent, Original internal parts , etc , it could be edging towards Excellent.

My edition has values from 2006 . But even then , that Model in Fine was listed at $ 300 . ( Same condition 4th or 5th @ $265 . Your Model , next grade down $235 , next grade up $475 . All out of date numbers , but gives a feel for relative values .)

 

[RRomig]

OK , just checked the SCSW .

No breakdown by year for these . If going with an equal distribution throughout the Model run , would guesstimate early '92 , possibly late '91 . If you're really into it , you could get a S&W Historical Assn Factory Letter with all the details .

Going over the condition standards used by SCSW for guns of that manufacturing age ( which are meaningfully different for general " Modern Condition ( SCSW has several different age brackets , with 1925 & up being modern ) . Yours is actually pretty good .

For : Original configuration & parts , or only very minor changes , period correct for Era ( ie fancy grips , or slightly modified sights to sight in ) . Only minor parts replaced.

Sharp markings , minor grip blemishes , good bore .

Minimum 70% Original Blue remaining (80% for nickel )

That's SCSW Fine . ( By comparison, " NRA Antique Fine " is over 30 % Original finish .

From from your pics , assuming bore is OK , it looks like a solid Fine .

Depending on if the Bore was excellent, Original internal parts , etc , it could be edging towards Excellent.

My edition has values from 2006 . But even then , that Model in Fine was listed at $ 300 . ( Same condition 4th or 5th @ $265 . Your Model , next grade down $235 , next grade up $475 . All out of date numbers , but gives a feel for relative values .)

Thanks
The bore actually looks very good. It came to me from a group purchase so I’m definitely selling it.

 

[Fushigi Ojisan]

Take it to the Maryland Arms Collector Show

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[Biggfoot44]

Take it to the Maryland Arms Collector Show

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Absolutely !

 

[RRomig]

Take it to the Maryland Arms Collector Show

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I’ll be hunting