S&W .32 Lemon Squeezer

[Splash One]

An old, hammerless, safety revolver that belonged to my grandfather. If I recall correctly, it was purchased sometime in the mid '30s and given that the internet says there were about 242,000 produced and the serial numbering in the 230,000's that seems to fit. Apart from what is stamped into the gun I don't know too much about it. Still pretty neat if you ask me. After cleaning it up a little the cylinder rotates nicely (it would stick after the first three shots before I gave it a good lube and scrub), but I notice that the firing pin doesn't seem to do anything.

Size compared to my Glock 21:


Looking at it from this angle is when I notice the lack of action from the firing pin:




What do you guys think?

[ckprax]

Very cool you don't see those very often.

[littlejake]

I believe that's know as the third model. The frame size is called a 1 1/2. The 1st model is considered antique. I believe this .32 S&W was intended for black powder cartridges.

I think Buffalo Bore still makes BP .32 S&W ammo.

You might post it at http://smith-wessonforum.com/ The historian is Roy Jinks and he writes the letters of authenticity.

BTW - The official name for that .32 is "The New Departure Safety Hammerless."

[Splash One]

Thanks for the tip, Littlejake! I'm still not sure it will actually fire but it's still a cool little gun. Firing black powder cartridges wasn't something I'd ever expect, either. Good to know! My dad had sent out for some kind of letter tracking its history but ... he seems to have lost it.

[bohoki]

the winchester 32 s&w is loaded so weak

i would not worry about firing it with them but beware with import ammo

their is so many 32 cartridges its freaky

[cmichini]

My wife has one very similar from her grandmother but nickel with mother of pearl grips and in 38S&W. Nice little piece to have.

[Mike A]

Your New Departure Safety Hammerless will be fine with standard .32 S&W smokeless cartridges; that's what it was designed for. They essentially duplicate the pressures and ballistics of the older black powder cartridges.

The only way I can think of to check the firing pin function is to fire it. Maybe you can talk the local track coach out of a couple of .32 S&W blanks!

Nice little pistols that came in many variations and with barrel lengths from 6" to 1 1/2". Yours looks like a 3 1/2", the most common size.

You will notice that it has a heavy two-stage DAO trigger pull. That was intended to make it impossible for a child to shoot it when combined with the grip safety. It also made it very safe for pocket carry. With a little practice you can get used to using the two-stage trigger and the guns can be shot fairly accurately. But they were meant for "up close and personal."