Nice video...I inherited one of these from my late father-in-law, who got in from an uncle....his uncle's used to put down hogs with it, with a shot behind the ear. My father-in-law carried it for years as a BUG, along with a beautiful S&W Model 10 (which I also inherited)...they are great revolvers. I have 60 plus firearms, but I still occasionally carry it in a pocket as BUG, when I am feeling nostalgic. It still works flawlessly, and due to the family history, it is a cherished possession, and will never be sold or traded, and will be passed on to my grandson when I croak!
Very neat. These guns and their imitators were so common as conceal carry handguns in those times that they still make 32 S&W ammunition as a result. I saw a couple boxes in Gander Mountain the other day and thought, eh, I think I need me a top break now.
The nickle plating was not just for looks, but for corrosion resistance. In addition to black powder, primers were corrosive in those days, and they did not have access to stainless steel. It is actually pretty effective, a lot more of the nickle plated guns survived to this day vs the unplated ones. The mother of pearl grips are most likely original to that gun, they were a pretty common feature, esp. on the nickle plated guns. These are somewhat collectable, but not high dollar guns, and still useful for their intended purpose, concealed carry self defense, if you find one in good condition. Part of their reasonable price is that so many were made, and did not see a lot of "field" use or even fired that often, if at all, by their owners. I routinely see them in decent to great shape in the $125 - $175 range for the most common 4th model, only the really rare 1st and 2nd model bring collector prices. The hardest part about shooting them is finding ammo. .32 S&W is usually limited to a once a year production run, and can be hard to find on the shelf. If you find it, grab it when you can. Also keep in mind this gun is originally a black powder design, and while it can handle a modern smokeless powder load, that load has to remain in SAAMI spec, you don't want to custom load or use hot rounds in it. (But why would you want to hot rod such a small round in the first place?) Basically it handles smokeless rounds due to being a bit overbuilt for it's original time period, and better metallurgy in the post 1920 models. The usual considerations of age and condition very much apply as well. I wouldn't recommend firing one of these a lot, they aren't going to hold up to that like a modern gun would. One last bit of trivia for you: These are the "Saturday Night Special" that you hear about, this is the gun that the term was coined in reference to by politicians wanting to ban guns, starting back in the '20's. The term has come to be applied to any inexpensive small handgun, but was specific to the S&W lemon squeezer and it's imitators back in the day.
Great bits of trivia and good information about this piece. I had looked around, found a 1st model with a 1234X ser #, paid less than 5 for it, and it's in 98% original.. So, I feel good about the purchase. I'd enjoy the video component more if there were just a couple of rounds squeezed off to see how it "behaves." Thanks again.
I just bought a second model today for $200 in really nice shape. Ironically, despite loving revolvers in general, this is the first Smith & Wesson that I own.
I Have a old Iver/Johnson .32 Nickel Revolver, that my Grandson thinks is the best gun ever made. 16yrs old with a ton of guns. Glock's, Ruger's, Sig's, S&W and others. Shows that you never know what is the gun that you will Love. One other thing about the .32 I tell him, is that we have to stop at the bank to shoot this thing. Nice gun.
I was gifted this gun from my grandfather when he passed and I’m curious to it’s worth, it has developed some rust because it very old and was sitting in his dresser drawer forever
Great old classic! I agree with you about the nickel plating though, I just don't really care for most shiny handguns. There is only one I would like to have in nickel, and that is a S&W Model 19 snub. Saw one a few years ago at a pawn shop but didn't want to pay what they were asking. I'll find another someday, and then I'm buying.
A friend's Mom who worked as a cleaning lady in an overnight "no tell motel" carried one of these in blue for warding off evil in the unkown of the deep of night. (Think about encountering that dude who unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Florida doin' drugs with his buddies.) We test fired a box of 50 rounds through it, was reliable but had a horribly heavy trigger pull and was thus hard to shoot and not too accurate. But fine for the intended purpose.
I have one of these but the trigger won't pull unless I break the top open. I wonder if there's anything I can do to try and fix it because it is a family heirloom
No can't do a thing for it ..best you get rid of it ...dangerous. Your best bets on just selling to ..ME...... Honestly thou...all depends on how much you wanta spend or your abilities..timing is an utmost importance so if you haven't a clue ..dont mess with it .gumsmith or sell..or just hang on Wall ..they are sweet looking little pistols
i have a stainless 32 model 31-1 with pearl handles been in safe for 30 years perfect condition any idea of worth send answer to the beave1990@yahoo.com
Found one in rough but functional condition, guy is asking $175. I think his is worth $50. LOL still may get it and restore it. Its Historic Value to me may be right at $175 lol it's over 100 years old and works
Hello friend! Excuse the translation, I am in Brazil. See if you can help me. My wife's father let a to revolve for her, Smith & Wesson, silver, ordered to plate with nickel. Would he/she like to know the year of production of him for the number that exists under the gunstock, can you tell me? Number 156687. Thank you very much! Daniel.`.
Nice video...I inherited one of these from my late father-in-law, who got in from an uncle....his uncle's used to put down hogs with it, with a shot behind the ear. My father-in-law carried it for years as a BUG, along with a beautiful S&W Model 10 (which I also inherited)...they are great revolvers. I have 60 plus firearms, but I still occasionally carry it in a pocket as BUG, when I am feeling nostalgic. It still works flawlessly, and due to the family history, it is a cherished possession, and will never be sold or traded, and will be passed on to my grandson when I croak!
Very neat. These guns and their imitators were so common as conceal carry handguns in those times that they still make 32 S&W ammunition as a result. I saw a couple boxes in Gander Mountain the other day and thought, eh, I think I need me a top break now.
+mark3smle lol yeah i want one of those model 3 in 45 colt.
The nickle plating was not just for looks, but for corrosion resistance. In addition to black powder, primers were corrosive in those days, and they did not have access to stainless steel. It is actually pretty effective, a lot more of the nickle plated guns survived to this day vs the unplated ones. The mother of pearl grips are most likely original to that gun, they were a pretty common feature, esp. on the nickle plated guns.
These are somewhat collectable, but not high dollar guns, and still useful for their intended purpose, concealed carry self defense, if you find one in good condition. Part of their reasonable price is that so many were made, and did not see a lot of "field" use or even fired that often, if at all, by their owners. I routinely see them in decent to great shape in the $125 - $175 range for the most common 4th model, only the really rare 1st and 2nd model bring collector prices.
The hardest part about shooting them is finding ammo. .32 S&W is usually limited to a once a year production run, and can be hard to find on the shelf. If you find it, grab it when you can. Also keep in mind this gun is originally a black powder design, and while it can handle a modern smokeless powder load, that load has to remain in SAAMI spec, you don't want to custom load or use hot rounds in it. (But why would you want to hot rod such a small round in the first place?) Basically it handles smokeless rounds due to being a bit overbuilt for it's original time period, and better metallurgy in the post 1920 models. The usual considerations of age and condition very much apply as well. I wouldn't recommend firing one of these a lot, they aren't going to hold up to that like a modern gun would.
One last bit of trivia for you: These are the "Saturday Night Special" that you hear about, this is the gun that the term was coined in reference to by politicians wanting to ban guns, starting back in the '20's. The term has come to be applied to any inexpensive small handgun, but was specific to the S&W lemon squeezer and it's imitators back in the day.
Great bits of trivia and good information about this piece. I had looked around, found a 1st model with a 1234X ser #, paid less than 5 for it, and it's in 98% original.. So, I feel good about the purchase. I'd enjoy the video component more if there were just a couple of rounds squeezed off to see how it "behaves." Thanks again.
I just bought a second model today for $200 in really nice shape. Ironically, despite loving revolvers in general, this is the first Smith & Wesson that I own.
Were are going back in time and that is a neat wheel gun...Thanks...
+Scott F. lol thank you
I Have a old Iver/Johnson .32 Nickel Revolver, that my Grandson thinks is the best gun ever made. 16yrs old with a ton of guns. Glock's, Ruger's, Sig's, S&W and others. Shows that you never know what is the gun that you will Love. One other thing about the .32 I tell him, is that we have to stop at the bank to shoot this thing. Nice gun.
+Veran Kapaun thanks!
I have one owned my my great grandmother, couldn't figure out how to open it lol, so thank you.
I have the same MOP grip on my model 2. It was my great-great GFather's - issued to him as an officer with Indian Affairs.
my wife just saw this vid and said "I want that" lol. now I am forced to buy another gun lol.
I was gifted this gun from my grandfather when he passed and I’m curious to it’s worth, it has developed some rust because it very old and was sitting in his dresser drawer forever
year of fabrication ?
They certainly named those pistols right, "safety". In my opinion the "lemon squeezer" pistols are the safest piece you can carry.
Is it possible to post a video to dismantle and install this pistol? I am following you from Iraq
Gorgeous.
+don stromberg thanks don
Great old classic! I agree with you about the nickel plating though, I just don't really care for most shiny handguns. There is only one I would like to have in nickel, and that is a S&W Model 19 snub. Saw one a few years ago at a pawn shop but didn't want to pay what they were asking. I'll find another someday, and then I'm buying.
Thanks bro didn't know how to Open it
A friend's Mom who worked as a cleaning lady in an overnight "no tell motel" carried one of these in blue for warding off evil in the unkown of the deep of night. (Think about encountering that dude who unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Florida doin' drugs with his buddies.) We test fired a box of 50 rounds through it, was reliable but had a horribly heavy trigger pull and was thus hard to shoot and not too accurate. But fine for the intended purpose.
Good evening, what would be the ammunition for this revolver ???
.32 smith and wesson short.
I have one of these but the trigger won't pull unless I break the top open. I wonder if there's anything I can do to try and fix it because it is a family heirloom
No can't do a thing for it ..best you get rid of it ...dangerous.
Your best bets on just selling to ..ME...... Honestly thou...all depends on how much you wanta spend or your abilities..timing is an utmost importance so if you haven't a clue ..dont mess with it
.gumsmith or sell..or just hang on Wall ..they are sweet looking little pistols
Check out the adjustment screw on the bottom of the grip. It may need to be backed out all the way, and turned in two turns.
How many millimeters of this gun do you shoot?
bullet ?
very cool bro
Very cool. Do you have any idea what year that one was made?
+MrBulletpoints been trying to look it up have not found it yet.
BATJAC J.W Definitely a cool find.
This is a cool old revolver. To me it's no't pretty, but still neat.
I want the model 3.
Yes!
tenho um que recebi de herança mas não tenho como registrar e nem vender por esse motivo se não eu venderia pois vale uma nota, o meu está zero
Do you have Roy Jinks book?
+don stromberg no but it's been on my list.
Neat! Is it an I frame?
+TheGunfighter45acp i think so not sure
It is an I frame.
Ever shoot it?
+Peter Choi no it's loan gun for the review.
i have a stainless 32 model 31-1 with pearl handles been in safe for 30 years perfect condition any idea of worth send answer to the beave1990@yahoo.com
Found one in rough but functional condition, guy is asking $175. I think his is worth $50. LOL still may get it and restore it. Its Historic Value to me may be right at $175 lol it's over 100 years old and works
Hello friend!
Excuse the translation, I am in Brazil. See if you can help me. My wife's father let a to revolve for her, Smith & Wesson, silver, ordered to plate with nickel. Would he/she like to know the year of production of him for the number that exists under the gunstock, can you tell me? Number 156687.
Thank you very much!
Daniel.`.
You might want to contact Smith & Wesson they may be able to give you a accurate date.
Thanks for watching.
Made about 1907 bud
I got one in near mint
Naiz P you have there
Tenho um igualzinho a esse !!! E vendo !!!
Quanto vc tá pedindo ?