I've been toying with the ideal of a top break revolver for years . Where do I start looking for these old guns. I would think that it should be hands on and not by pictures on the web. I have a few gunshows coming up in my area I guess that would be a start. Just don't know about priceing of such old guns, if their collectable or cheap wore out guns.
Here are my thoughts.
For pricing, check Gunbroker's auctions and sign in to get the completed ones. Generally, they are listed under all sorts of terms, so I search in the following manner:
Smith Wesson third model
Smith Wesson 3rd model
Smith Wesson safety hammerless
Smith Wesson .32
ect, ect.
Gunbroker has a few good ones pop up now and then, or you can scrounge the gunshows. The first thing that will strike you is how small these are. Many of these .32 guns are tiny. I see quite a few at gunshows where I am at, but many are hard used. .32s are much more common than the .38s it seems, and since they are more common and less of a shooter, they seem cheaper.
Like any revolver, you want to check out the lock up and play in the cylinder. The other crucial thing to be sure to check is the bore. Many of these old guns were shot with corrosive ammunition and not sufficiently cleaned and the bores and rifling are eaten away. Similarly, you can look at the face of the cylinder and if there is heavy flaking of the nickel there, you should definitely check the bore. On the pic I posted, the single action one has perfect nickel except for the front of the cylinder, and the bore is gone in that one. Just something to look at as you browse.
Before you buy, I would look at the going prices pretty hard and realize that if you find one with a box and stuff, that will bring a big premium. I would also get familiar with the model changes, so you can identify what you are looking at and know if it can be shot with modern ammo or not.
Don't get in a rush. I've seen real good ones go cheap, but I have also seen the same guns listed on gunbroker for
years at ridiculous prices. Be patient and you won't regret it.