.32 Smith squeezer

[Paul.h]

I have a Smith & Wesson .32 revolver, s/n 205873. It belonged to my Father. I would like to know it's age. I am 76 and he had it when I was old enough to notice. Thanks for any information.
Paul.

 

[Glockster30]

I have a Smith & Wesson .32 revolver, s/n 205873. It belonged to my Father. I would like to know it's age. I am 76 and he had it when I was old enough to notice. Thanks for any information.
Paul.

I never heard of the early squeezer, but according to Google, S&W made them from 1887 to 1940. This model appears to be the precursor to the Model 40 and 42 that used grip safeties in 1952. If no one can answer your question with regard to the s/n, you can try a S&W forum or contact S&W that can hopefully give you the information on it.

The Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless or Smith & Wesson New Departure (nicknamed by collectors as the Lemon Squeezer) is a double-action revolver that was produced from 1887 to 1940 by Smith & Wesson. The revolver incorporated an internal hammer and an external grip safety on its backstrap. It was chambered in.32 S&W and .38 S&W calibers; these calibers were discontinued prior to World War 2, along with the Safety Hammerless Models.
The grip safety made a brief return to Smith & Wesson's revolvers in 1952 with the release of the Models 40 and 42.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...erless&usg=AFQjCNFEKk_ZmcexM6Em-QsgxNo1otQmAA

 

[Glockster30]

I have a Smith & Wesson .32 revolver, s/n 205873. It belonged to my Father. I would like to know it's age. I am 76 and he had it when I was old enough to notice. Thanks for any information.
Paul.

If the following is the same model, it appears that your firearm was manufactured maybe in the 1920s or 1930s because the s/n falls in between the following range:

"32 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model. Serial numbers ran from 170000 in 1909 to 242981 in 1937. The book does not narrow the date down any closer."

ETA: Probably closer to the early 1920s based on the s/n.

 

[Paul.h]

Thanks very much. Is ammo available for it and would it be safe to shoot?

 

[Glockster30]

Thanks very much. Is ammo available for it and would it be safe to shoot?

Yes, S&W .32 (Short) is available for it from many of the online ammo dealers (as long as we are talking about the same model firearm). There is also a .32 Long, but that will not chamber in your gun as it is too long. The .32 Short started out as a black powder round and was changed to smokeless powder after 1940. A search shows that many of the online ammo sellers have it in stock, but I do not know if any local gun stores carry it. If not, they could order it for you.

Sorry, but only an experienced gunsmith could tell you if the gun is safe to shoot, after examining it.

 

[alohadoug]

I'd suggest you bring it by Brian at B&K Sales in Natick (if you are local). He handles a number of these guns and should be able to give you a reasonable opinion. He might even have ammo for it. He stocks a handful of odd/old calibers.

Aloha