Help with finding info on old revolver

[vpravada]

I have what I think is a smith and wesson 32 safety hammerless. The safety doesn't work and needs a cleaning.

[morrcarr67]

Your title says you need help finding out information on an old revolver.

Yet in your post you don't ask for any help with information.



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[vpravada]

A good diagram would be helpful. Things to check/known issues. I have some ammo and plan to shoot it.

[870classic]

Just a guess at what your question(s) might be.

If you are looking to identify the revolver ... The revolver looks to be a Smith & Wesson 32 Safety Hammerless 1st Model Double Action Revolver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbIC84MVK5s

If you are looking to get it repaired, try the smith and wesson forum for a smith.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/

Best regards,
870classic.

[pacrat]

A good diagram would be helpful. Things to check/known issues. I have some ammo and plan to shoot it.

Look here;

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/smith-wesson/revolvers-sw/32-saf-hammerless

[Milsurp Collector]

I have some ammo and plan to shoot it.

Most of those top break S&W revolvers were designed for black powder cartridges. Shooting smokeless powder cartridges in them can damage them irreparably and is not recommended.

Some of my top break S&W revolvers needed repair.



There was one guy who knew how to fix them. He literally wrote the book on fixing them.



I sent three revolvers to him and got estimates. I didn't hear back from him for a long time after that (common with these specialist gunsmiths). During that time he had a stroke and his family was unable to continue the business. I eventually found out about the situation and I was able to get my revolvers back. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ant...ne-update.html

I made some black powder cartridges to shoot in one of the working revolvers. If you don't have that capability I suggest getting the correct ammo for your revolver https://www.buffaloarms.com/32-s-w-s...mobp32sws.html

These revolvers are all over 100 years old and were made during the end of the black powder era and the transition to the smokeless powder era. If you shoot smokeless powder cartridges in it and damage it there is no one who can fix it.

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[vpravada]

Looked up that book on Amazon, there's one for $985!

[sealocan]

I know most people here probably know better but I like to remind people that modern-day .32 ACP ammunition ( made with smokeless gunpowder and higher pressures) can sometimes fit into the chambers of the cylinder of these old .32 Caliber guns. This is very likely dangerous for both the shooter and the gun, but unfortunately some novice non-gun knowledgeable people just see the number ".32" on the cartridge / cartridge box and also stamped on the gun and then notice it can fit into the gun so they think it's okay.
It is not okay and could be very dangerous.

( although admittedly I have never actually seen video of anyone trying this mistake on purpose, with a string from a safe distance, to see what would happen.)

[Milsurp Collector]

Looked up that book on Amazon, there's one for $985!

Amazon has a Kindle version of another book he wrote Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: The comprehensive guide to pistols, rifles & shotguns Kindle Edition that might serve your purposes, for $14.99. There is a section dealing with disassembly and assembly of your revolver.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0056JSME6?pf_rd_r=2Y58PJD4VS94JXP9YR4S&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=88a7b75e-06e4-46b9-b18f-7a55cc00e5fa&pd_rd_w=Xotet&pd_rd_wg=us8cs&ref_=pd_gw_unk

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[Mike A]

The safety may have been blocked off deliberately or may just be jammed with internal gunk. You need to first remove the grips (very carefully--they are fragile, not to mention old!) and look inside to see the condition, then start removing any hardened gun oil and/or dirt). Sometimes this frees up the safety.

You should also see if a pin or shim has been jammed alongside the safety lever to nullify the safety. Not sure why anyone would do this, but I've found "Lemon Squeezers" like yours that had had it done. Pretty easy to fix with a good soak in Kroil or other penetrating oil, and some probing with a thin wedge like a gunsmithing screwdriver to remove the blockage.

I've fired standard smokeless .32 S&W (NOT Longs) in these vintage Lemon Squeezers with no ill effects to me or the revolver. I believe that the FACTORY smokeless ctgs. were loaded to duplicate black powder pressures. but it's your revolver and your eyes and fingers.

The .32 S&W Safety Hammerless (third model) that I inherited from my grandfather had been rechambered for .32 ACP, and I fired quite a few from it with no problems. The jacketed bullets are a little undersized for the S&W bore and accuracy isn't much, but they didn't hurt the revolver. Not sure why the old man had this alteration done, but it was his "courthouse gun" for testimony in Federal courts in a suit coat!