Need help identifying these antique revolvers

[nick]

Hi,


I have these antique revolvers, and I'm having a hard time identifying them or finding info on them. Does anyone recognize these? Let me know if you don't see something that can help you identify these and need me to take additional pictures.

The first one is an S&W top-break double action revolver. It looks to be chambered in .38S&W. At least, the .38S&W rounds I have seem to fit it perfectly, and .38S&W was pretty popular back when I think this revolver was made. It has the following written on top of the rib above the barrel:

SMITH&WESSON Springfield Mass. U.S.A. PAT'D JAN. 17&24 65
JULY 11. 65. AUC. 24 69 JULY 25 71 DEC 2 79 MAY 11&25 1880

[nick]

The next one is a Forehand Arms top-break double action revolver chambered in what I think is .32S&W. It has the following on top of the rib above the barrel:

FOREHAND ARMS CO. WORCESTER MASS. U.S.A.
PAT'D DEC. 7/86 & JAN.11.87

[nick]

[ZirconJohn]

Hi,


I have these antique revolvers, and I'm having a hard time identifying them or finding info on them. Does anyone recognize these? Let me know if you don't see something that can help you identify these and need me to take additional pictures.

The first one is an S&W top-break double action revolver. It looks to be chambered in .38S&W. At least, the .38S&W rounds I have seem to fit it perfectly, and .38S&W was pretty popular back when I think this revolver was made. It has the following written on top of the rib above the barrel:

SMITH&WESSON Springfield Mass. U.S.A. PAT'D JAN. 17&24 65
JULY 11. 65. AUC. 24 69 JULY 25 71 DEC 2 79 MAY 11&25 1880

From Blue Book og Gun Values:

.38 Single Action First Model Standard

Grading
100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
$1,750 $700 $600 $500 $400 $350 $325 $300 $275 $250 $225 $200


Substantial premiums will be asked for "Aldrich" safety models (first 50-100 guns). Add a slight premium for ser. nos. under 1,500 with filler screws on right side of frame.

[nick]

Thanks. I don't think it's Model 1 though, as it's double action. It does look somewhat like a Model 2 or Model 3, but it's smaller than the examples that I saw, and it doesn't look exactly the same. The serial number is 72xxx on the S&W, 93xxx on the Forehand Arms one. I'll take the pictures next to the ruler tomorrow.

[ZirconJohn]

Ah... okay, hows about this'un here?

.38 DOUBLE ACTION SECOND MODEL
- .38 S&W cal., cylinder same as above, 3 1/4, 4, 5, or 6 in. barrel, blue or nickel finish, "S&W" monogram checkered hard rubber grips in black or red. 115,000 mfg. 1880-84. Serial range approx. 4,001-approx. 119,000.
Grading
100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
$500 $350 $250 $225 $200 $185 $170 $165 $160 $145 $135 $125

[nick]

That's what I was leaning towards, but the only pictures I found online that looked close to it were of the hammerless Second Model with grip safety. The rest of the Second Model pictures I found didn't look right.

[ZirconJohn]

The next one is a Forehand Arms top-break double action revolver chambered in what I think is .32S&W. It has the following on top of the rib above the barrel:

FOREHAND ARMS CO. WORCESTER MASS. U.S.A.
PAT'D DEC. 7/86 & JAN.11.87

Forehand - Model 1901 - revolver - .32 S&W six shot

There is a question I have... why isn't "Forhand" in my on-line Blue Book of Gun Values?

Would they be under a different name?

[nick]

FOund this one:

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/STsmith120507_03.jpg

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/smith_12_0507/

So it looks like it is Second Model, after all. Thank you for your help.

[nick]

Forehand - Model 1901 - revolver - .32 S&W six shot

There is a question I have... why isn't "Forhand" in my on-line Blue Book of Gun Values?

Would they be under a different name?

I believe, they changed names several times. Let me see if I can find that article.

[nick]

Forehand & Wadsworth Company is what they used to be called.

[ZirconJohn]

Go this link http://armsbid.com/ks7pix/7tl-046.jpg

Go almost to the bottom of the page... see blow-up picture, read the text, the missing spur [hammer] almost threw me in the ID.

Lot 1064 - TWO REVOLVERS: 1) Forehand - Model 1901 - revolver - .32 S&W six shot - Missing hammer spur & latch spring; 70% nickel; otherwise working but loose; very good grips. - s/n C5808 - {7tl-046a} - - 2) U.S. Revolver Co. - Hammerless top-break double action revolver. - .32 S&W six shot - 85% nickel; working but loose; very good grips. - s/n 3845 - {7tl-046b} - C&R ffl -

[nick]

This one seems right:

http://www.american-firearms.com/american-firearms/IE6/START.html

But the one I have is a 6-shot.

[nick]

Go this link http://armsbid.com/ks7pix/7tl-046.jpg

Go almost to the bottom of the page... see blow-up picture, read the text, the missing spur [hammer] almost threw me in the ID.

Lot 1064 - TWO REVOLVERS: 1) Forehand - Model 1901 - revolver - .32 S&W six shot - Missing hammer spur & latch spring; 70% nickel; otherwise working but loose; very good grips. - s/n C5808 - {7tl-046a} - - 2) U.S. Revolver Co. - Hammerless top-break double action revolver. - .32 S&W six shot - 85% nickel; working but loose; very good grips. - s/n 3845 - {7tl-046b} - C&R ffl -

I saw that one, but the hinge assembly doesn't look right (unless something's broken off on the picture, quite possibly. Also, mine has that small stud by the cylinder, it releases the cylinder.

[ZirconJohn]

Forehand & Wadsworth Company is what they used to be called.

Nope... negative "Forhand" and negative "Wadsworth".

Maybe we catch some info in the morning (?).

I'll be in and out of here all day Tuesday... my Saturday.