[DeeJSiG]

Hey all, found this old revolver in my dad's safe, all the information I have on it is listed in the thread title and in the pics, can I get help dating it as well as value? (not looking to sell just want to know more about it).

Thanks for any information you can give me :grin:

 

[Adirondacker]

What a surprise to find in the family safe! It's a Fourth Model .32 Double Action, produced near the end of this model's run in 1909.

 

[StrawHat]

Original S&W pearl stocks! That’s a treat right there!

Kevin

 

[Adirondacker]

Original S&W pearl stocks!

Kevin

That's why his father kept it locked up in the safe.

 

[blitzen25cat]

welcome01to the forum from SE Indiana.

 

[msharley]

Hey DJ,

Welcome to S&W!

What a fine looking "specimen"! (of yesteryear)!!

Later, Mark

 

[WendyZXZ]

Welcome to the forum! welcome01

 

[DeeJSiG]

Hello again everyone, thanks for dating the revolver and the props on the find! It had been buried in the safe, but it's gonna be living in a nice lil case for easier access for me so I can appreciate it more often. Im excited to know that the grips are original, only makes me appreciate it more. Thanks again, and glad to be a part of the forum.

 

[StrawHat]

FYI, pearl stocks are not as durable as wood or horn so they chip easily. Just so you are aware.

Kevin

 

[Adirondacker]

FYI, pearl stocks are not as durable as wood or horn so they chip easily. Just so you are aware.

Kevin

Real pearls are subject to becoming brittle & cracking in excessively dry conditions, so maybe that also applies to MOP. If so, what's good for the metal is bad for the MOP.

 

[scott]

Great old top-break! Grips are stunning. DO NOT overtighten the grip screw or you may crack them.
Here's one in .38, but without the grip medallions.

 

[timetripper]

Beautiful little revolver. The lack of a blue finish on the action release knob and no case hardening on the hammer and trigger indicates a refinish. Still a dandy though. Pearls with the S&W logo aren't seen too often and are worth $150 -200 by themselves. Early S&W pearl stocks did not have the round gold plated medallions but pearl hand gun grips were such a popular after market item back then that S&W started to put medallions on theirs around 1893.


John

 

[Adirondacker]

The lack of a blue finish on the action release knob and no case hardening on the hammer and trigger indicates a refinish.

Neither the OP's .32 or the .38 have the blue or CC; does this mean they've both been refinished?

 

[scott]

I've always assumed my .38 has been refinished, but I have no way of knowing for sure.

 

[Adirondacker]

I've always assumed my .38 has been refinished, but I have no way of knowing for sure.

Rather surprising, as I'd bet most of them, esp. the ones with pearl grips, spent most of their time in a dresser drawer or bedside table, not used in a way that would damage their finish; in fact, if they were ever subjected to a lot of wear, you'd think the pearl would show it first.

 

[timetripper]

Neither the OP's .32 or the .38 have the blue or CC; does this mean they've both been refinished?

I believe so. Going by what I've seen, I think it was a fairly common practice. Many of the old nickel top breaks we see look like crap. Many of the nicer ones have been refinished. Fewer still are pristine collector pieces.
Note that Scott's .38 shows no case hard on the trigger or hammer as well. But it's still a nice revolver. Remember, theses guns are close to 100 years old or older. A little touch up don't hurt none for function, though it does kill the collector value a mite.

John