I was gifted this old revolver and I'm just trying to date and value for my own curiosity. It's a Smith & Wesson .32 S&W CTG, top open, engraved, nickel plated and with pearl grips. Serial number 250304, both on bottom of grip and rear face of cylinder. Pat'd May 11, Jan 3(?), and April 9.
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I am not up on the old top breaks but those mother of pearl, S&W grips are fairly valuable but fragile
falmike
Member
Try here, they are really helpful:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/326457-identify-your-gun.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/326457-identify-your-gun.html
J-Bar
Member
This is my best guess after looking at the S&W Standard Catalog. Emphasize “guess”, I am not an expert.
I think this is a .32 Double- Action 4th model based on serial number. About 239,600 were made between 1883 and 1909.
Consulting the collectors/experts on the Smith and Wesson forum is good advice. Values in 2016 ranged from $750 ANIB to $250 for fine, $150 for fair, without engraving or special grips. These days…?
It looks great. I think it is worth a better appraisal than I can give from a photo.
I think this is a .32 Double- Action 4th model based on serial number. About 239,600 were made between 1883 and 1909.
Consulting the collectors/experts on the Smith and Wesson forum is good advice. Values in 2016 ranged from $750 ANIB to $250 for fine, $150 for fair, without engraving or special grips. These days…?
It looks great. I think it is worth a better appraisal than I can give from a photo.
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Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
It is not a .32 S&W CTG. That marking on the barrel is calling out the cartridge the revolver is chambered for. CTG simply means cartridge.
J-Bar is correct. What you have there is a 32 Double Action, 4th Model, Top Break revolver. The serial numbers for that model run from 43,406 in 1883 to 282,999 in 1909 with about 239,600 made. Your serial number is fairly close to the end of production, so a wild guess would place it shipping sometime just before 1909.
I paid $350 for this one a number of years ago. Yours is probably worth a little bit more with the engraving and pearl grips, but probably not a whole lot more.
The link posted will probably not be very helpful, that link will take you to the page for revolvers with swing out cylinders.
Try posting about your revolver here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/
P.S. I see you have already posted a question on the Antiques section of the S&W Forum. Opoefc gave you a very good answer. He has probably forgotten more about S&W revolvers than I will ever know. He was my sponsor when I joined the S&W Collectors Assoc. Do get it lettered. Unfortunately, the last time I had a S&W revolver lettered it cost $100. The days of $30 letters are long gone.
It is not a .32 S&W CTG. That marking on the barrel is calling out the cartridge the revolver is chambered for. CTG simply means cartridge.
J-Bar is correct. What you have there is a 32 Double Action, 4th Model, Top Break revolver. The serial numbers for that model run from 43,406 in 1883 to 282,999 in 1909 with about 239,600 made. Your serial number is fairly close to the end of production, so a wild guess would place it shipping sometime just before 1909.
I paid $350 for this one a number of years ago. Yours is probably worth a little bit more with the engraving and pearl grips, but probably not a whole lot more.
The link posted will probably not be very helpful, that link will take you to the page for revolvers with swing out cylinders.
Try posting about your revolver here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/
P.S. I see you have already posted a question on the Antiques section of the S&W Forum. Opoefc gave you a very good answer. He has probably forgotten more about S&W revolvers than I will ever know. He was my sponsor when I joined the S&W Collectors Assoc. Do get it lettered. Unfortunately, the last time I had a S&W revolver lettered it cost $100. The days of $30 letters are long gone.
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