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Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .32 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model
Serial Number: 203080
Year of Manufacture: ca. 1909-1920
Caliber: .32 S&W
Action Type: Double Action Only Revolver with Top Break Barrel
Markings: The rear face of the cylinder, the bottom of the top strap, and the bottom of the grip frame are marked with the serial number “203080”. The top of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked “32 S.&W. CTG”. The right side of the frame has the traditional “S&W” monogram trademark logo. There is beautiful Germanic vine scroll factory engraving at each side of the frame, on the cylinder flats, on the sides and top of the barrel latch, at the upper and lower back strap, and along each back half of the sides of the barrel. The engraving is very much in the style of Oscar Young, with a fine punch dot background within the scrolls, and some elegant line accents in the vine extensions. This is exquisite, high level factory engraving.
Barrel Length: 3”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a thin half-round blade forged from the top rib. The rear sight is a “U”-notch integral to the forward portion of the barrel catch.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth genuine mother of pearl factory Service stocks with gold “S&W” medallions at their tops. There is a small dark chip in the upper inner edge of the left grip. There is some light crazing and browning to the middle right grip around the screw escutcheon. There is a very small chip on the butt of the right grip. There is minor handling wear. The grips are not numbered to the gun, as is common for factory pearls on Smiths during this era. Overall, the grips are in Fine Condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, with a Case-hardened trigger
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with well defined rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at edges, with wear on the sides of the rib and trigger guard, and handling wear in the front strap and grip safety. There are a few scattered light scuffs. There is light oxidation forming on the frame under the cylinder. There are very light turn lines. The screw heads are tool-marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel locks up with no play to the frame. The cylinder locks up with very little play on each chamber. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a period original Smith & Wesson pebbled yellow paper covered cardboard box. The bottom carries the mismatched serial number “169037” hand written in pencil, and some faded ink stamps and scribblings. The box carries the beautiful original “SMITH & WESSON / NEW 32 DEPARTURE / BLUED, 3 INCH” end label, and retains the original interior lid label, as well as two factory instruction leaflets.
Our Assessment: The name Smith & Wesson has been synonymous with finely crafted American made firearms since 1852. In 1888, Smith & Wesson introduced the .32 Safety Hammerless revolver, with a rear grip safety that quickly earned it the nickname “Lemon Squeezer”. It was cataloged by Smith & Wesson as the “Safety” or “New Departure”. It was simple to operate, easy to conceal, and with sleek lines plus no hammer spur, almost effortless to draw. The 3rd model featured a “T-shaped” lift-up barrel latch, and was devoid of patent dates on the barrel. About 73,000 were made over its production run from 1909-1937.
This Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model was made between ca. 1909-1920 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 3” barrel, 95% of its crisp, original blued finish, with some strong case coloring on the trigger, especially on the right side, beautiful Germanic vine scroll factory engraving at each side of the frame, on the cylinder flats, on the sides and top of the barrel latch, at the upper and lower back strap, and along each back half of the sides of the barrel, gorgeous two-piece smooth genuine mother-of-pearl factory Service grips with gold “S&W” medallions at their tops, clear markings, a bright bore with well defined rifling and no erosion, and a period original Smith & Wesson pebbled yellow paper covered cardboard box with end label. The bottom of the box carries the mismatched number “169037” hand marked in pencil. The engraving on this revolver is very much in the style of Oscar Young, with a fine punch dot background within the scrolls, and some elegant line accents in the vine extensions. It’s exquisite, high level factory engraving, and this “New Departure” would be a welcome addition to any Smith & Wesson Collection.