Need help identifying a couple old revolvers

[Goop]

Grandpa showed me a few guns hes looking to sell. I know very little about them or what their worth.




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[sarbiker]

One is definitely a Colt Police Positive .38 with what looks like a 4" barrel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Police_Positive

The other is a shiny hammer-less 4" barrel of some sort.

[Sir Toast]

The other one looks like an H&R

[CoopsDad]

The top one with white grips looks almost exactly like an Ivers Johnson my f-i-l has. I think its in .32?

[johnthomas]

Wait a second. You are a gun guy, your grandpa is selling them? Why aren't you or your dad getting them?

[sealocan]

I believe small revolver in the first photograph is an early Smith & Wesson sometimes called a "lemon squeezer" although they do have a very similar appearance to the Harrington and Richards
(H & R) and the Iver Johnson revolvers of the same small design the Smith & Wesson's had a different style of trigger.

If you could take a CLEAR photograph of the markings on the top rib of the barrel we could give you more information.


check out this YouTube video.

https://youtu.be/1bvZ0EyfOss

[sealocan]

It also occurs to me that both of those revolvers Might have ivory grips/handles.
In other states those alone might be valuable but I believe here in California there has been recent changing of the law regarding ivory (even old ivory which used to be an exception to the law) that restrict selling them.

They can also be made from bone or even plastic I think taking them off and examining the backside might help you determine which it is. This info on the web on how to tell Ivory from bone and plastic you would know right away.



I also want to give you a warning that the first gun, Regardless of who the maker is (Smith & Wesson Harrington Richards or Iver Johnson) Is probably chambered in .32 short.
I have seen people load them with 32 ACP Because it does fit in the cylinder. That is not a smart thing to do. It might not blow up in your face but it is not going to do the gun any good firing a higher pressure round than it was built for.
Make sure you shooting the right ammo for whatever gun you're shooting.
Unfortunately the .32 short while somewhat available these days, is probably going to be pretty pricey and is one of the reasons why does guns stay in good shape these days.
No one can afford to shoot them but reloaders.

[john myers]

first one appears to be S&W 38 safety hammerless
aka new departure or lemon squeezer
38 S&W cal 5 shot cylinder
circa 1890-1940
there were five different changes during production
available in blue or nickle

[MrOrange]

Now you have the IDs, you can check completed auctions on gunbroker to see what they're going for. Since they're both C&R, there's no "California Premium", although you can use lack of shipping & FFL online purchase transfer fees as selling points.